Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

U2FAN

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorites, particularly in the colder months. However, there is never a bad time to enjoy this beer

Has a little kick, but not overwheliming.

Hints of worcestershire, licorice, and dark chocolate.

This is good on its own but can be paired well with a light meal.

I've had it on tap and from a 12oz bottle. I always prefer the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 23:01:05 | More by U2FAN

Tyler08

New Hampshire

3.85/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark pour from a bottle into a wide-mouth bubble glass. Light brown head and smooth look. Copper lacing.

S: Chocolate and coffee aroma with a hint of dark fruit. delightful.

T: Again, chocolate and coffee taste with a nice dark fruit flavor. There is a bit if heat on the back end of a sip, which complements this beer nicely.

M: Decent mouthful, but not as overpowering as I thought it would be.

D: As any Russian Imperial Stout, one or two bottles may be enough. Delightful and enjoyable to the palate.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 22:34:29 | More by Tyler08

LBeaux

New York

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Black body, BIG brownish head. Took a bunch of pours before I could empty the bottle.

Pronounced, grassy hop aroma, I can smell the chocolate, and the alcohol.

First taste: THICK mouthfeel. I found myself unconsciously chewing to get it down. First of these I’ve been able to taste the carbonation on. Quite bitter, but it’s more under control than the Victory. Flavor profile takes 5+ full seconds to roll around my tongue. It’s like there’s a beginning, a middle, a bridge, a climax, and a denouement. Starts quite sweet and chocolatey, then becoming more bitter, going through a black coffee phase and then . . . almost like the char on a grilled steak? Hard to describe, but deep and rich flavor. Does leave a bitter aftertaste, but it’s not as oppressive as some imperial stouts. My mouth still chews automatically with every swig, haha.

Without question the best imperial stout I’ve tried so far. I’m starting to see why imperials have a cult following.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 02:29:46 | More by LBeaux

DilisioYCBC

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- poured out black with a think tan head . No haziness. The head retained itself throughout staying tight with a layer of foam all the way down, little lacing.

S- a bunch of roasted malt, chocolate, toffee, and chocolate chip cookies. A touch of alcohol and fruitiness.

T- a lot of roasted flavors up front that seemed to mellow after it warmed a bit. Chocolate, dark dried fruit like plum, toffee, a bit of malty sweetness balancing out the bitterness of the roast. No hop bitterness. The rated bitterness sticks around for a while, then the warming comes down the esophagus bout 15 seconds after the first swallow.

M- Appropriate carbonation that makes it drink smoothly. Not as viscous as I would expect. Dry felling on the finish.

O- a great Russian Imperial Stout that packs a ton of roasted flavors, but has some nice sweet malt and toffee to meld with the stronger flavors. At 9% this is a warmer, but the alcohol does not take away at all from the brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 01:29:12 | More by DilisioYCBC

JGuzzle

Arizona

4.69/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a nitro tap into a tulip glass which I understand is the ultimate way to enjoy this brew.

A - Deep black in color, completely opaque. Beautiful 3/4 inch of foamy caramel colored head sitting on top which persists throughout the consumption (it shrinks but was there to the last sip). Tiny caramel colored nitrogen bubbles persistently rise from the bottom of the glass every time it is picked up and put down. The appearance is truly a spectacle.

S - Roasted malts and hints of cocoa.

T - Some sweet maltiness in the front end. Very faint amount of hops tasted in the finish. The 9% alcohol is masked very well. I get some hints of cocoa as well.

M - Velvety smooth. If you manage to get some of the head on its own it can almost feel like a milkshake. Light carbonation, great full body.

O - This might be one of the greatest beer experiences I've ever had. Certainly the best stout. If you find this on a nitro tap somewhere, do not pass it up.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-15-2013 14:24:58 | More by JGuzzle

JeanPaulValley

Pennsylvania

4.54/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was very excited to finally try this beer. I've only within the last year really started drinking great beers, and have become quite a stout-head. This was a huge WANT for me, and finally found it at a beer deli last night.

A- Motor oil black. Poured from a bottle, left a lot of tan head that was thick and slow to dissipate. A ton of intricate lacing left on the glass

S-Strong coffee and roasted malt, with a backing of chocolate and alcohol. Everything an Imperial Stout should smell like.

T- Very strong coffee and chocolate, segwaying into a bite of hops and alcohol. The alcohol taste isn't boozy, but well balanced and leaves a nice warming sensation.

M- Almost milkshake thick. The warming alcohol gives a very pleasant mouthfeel.

Overall- Rarely does a beer live up to its hype, but Old Rasputin totally did for me. My only regret is that I wasn't able to have it on tap for my first time, as I'm sure that would only amplify the already awesome quality of this beer. Very highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 18:19:39 | More by JeanPaulValley

Curloftheburl

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is such a reliable stout. Consistent through the years this pours a dark dark brown with a light mocha head. Smells roasty and of dark chocolate and coffee beans. Slight bourbon alcohol warming on the finish. Love thus stout, great value at 8.99 a four pack.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:32:32 | More by Curloftheburl

braubeater

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is very dark, opaque, with a subtle, fine-bubble head that remains thought the session. Very impressive lacing on the glass.

Aroma is subdued (hop-wise) with chocolate notes coming through assertively.

Initial taste is dry, with a slight alcoholic tinge followed by a parched feeling on the back of the tongue, but the malty residue and faint hop aroma provide a well-balanced finish.

This is probabably the most drinkable Imperial Stout I have ever encountered. This makes my top 10 list.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2006 03:17:09 | More by braubeater

Anglewood

California

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have had this beer on nitro and in the bottle, IMHO it is best out of the tap. It was served in a 12 oz. Pilsner, which in size may be appropriate, but I would prefer a beefy pint glass.

This beer pours well, and ends up with a nice tan head over a black body. Some residual cascade is attractive, and the head hangs around for a little while. A sniff reveals malty chocolate notes with a little coffee. The taste is the same, with some hops and a little crisper than expected. Finish is malty again with a slight alcohol warm. After a couple it will sneak up on you. Overall body is not too heavy, and it has a good mouthfeel.

Among my favorite beers by North Coast, brewed an hours drive from my town back home. A good beer for relaxing, but not one to go all night on. Overall a fine imperial.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-17-2003 07:48:03 | More by Anglewood

exitor

Oregon

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Poured almost pitch black, with a caramel color shining through at the bottom.

S - Amazing - A raspberry fudge sundae with hints of coffee.

T - Same flavors as it smelled, with more emphasis on the coffee. Finished slightly bitter.

M - Nice balance of carbonation and smoothness, almost creamy.

D - So drinkable, especially for a beer this thick. Could even be a daily drinker.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2007 07:59:56 | More by exitor

denali99755

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

First off, the bottle was remarkably unimpressive for such a heavy-hitting beer. Coming from familiarity with Belgians and the bottle styles of the Rogue brewery, this beer's standard-issue brown bottle belies its singularly impressive quality. I do like the label, though, and especially the 'never say die' inscription.

Pours like stouts I'm used to, pretty smooth, with minimal head (although my pouring style is inconsistent at best, so it's hard to judge). And it's, well, dark like an Imperial should be.

Aroma is crisp and tart, with some definite hops and chocolate. Maybe some coffee? The nose might be a tiny bit more bitter than I would love.

But the taste--terrific. Nice and round, hugely full-bodied, with chocolate and coffee, but the hoppy bitterness (for me) balances the heavy bottom-end perfectly. This is my kind of beer. And it is remarkably light on its feet for a 9-percenter--dangerously so. I could drink a lot of this, and quickly. Love it.

Mouthfeel is smooth except for an odd almost grittiness that I experienced much more in the tap beer, but is still present from the bottle. Slightly odd--but the bottled version goes down smoother. Better, by my taste.

Like I said, I could drink way too much of this beer, way too quickly. The nice hoppy top end balances out a very big, meaty flavor. A definite 5.

This beer, from the bottle, might even surpass my other two favorite stouts--Alameda's Black Bear XX Nitro and Rogue's Shakespeare--although I have a hard time shaking my affection for Oregon breweries. All around, though, this is a terrific offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2006 23:15:07 | More by denali99755

w1n0

California

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Another great effort from the people at North Coast.

appearance: pitch black (even against light), a modest tan head.

smell: green tea, corriander and toasted nut notes.

taste: a plesantly light bitter chocolate and red berry notes bound together with a smooth coffee and toffey finish. light in the gut with little to no blote.

mouthfeel: moderate weight, chewy.

drinkability: one of the best russian imperial style stouts ive had.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2006 06:15:37 | More by w1n0

hammy

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A vision of loveliness, to be sure. Dark black coffee with a thin creamy head and slightly sticky brown sugar lacing forms as I sip from a fancy 12 oz. tumbler. I smell cinnamon...It's hidden, but it's there. Of course, I get a hint of coffee and powerful dose of molasses. The flavor is predominantly coming across on the back of my tongue as sweet, bitter, roasted and balanced accordingly. How drinkable? Too drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2008 00:12:59 | More by hammy

schro126

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked up a bottle on the recommendation of the clerk at my local beer store. It pours opaque with a nice dark tan head. The aroma is full of dried fruit and bitter dark malts with chocolaty undertones.
The mouthfeel is thick and velvety everything you are looking for in a RIS. The taste starts with roasty malts and smooths to a clean finish with a residual sugar that lingers. After half a glass the alcohal starts to make an appearance with a warming sensation in the chest.
Overall this is a good RIS, nothing mindblowing but a good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2009 04:37:27 | More by schro126

dgriffis

Oklahoma

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer by name alone sounds very ominous, however I think it is one the best stouts available. This beer is definitely not for the weak, or for people who can't appreciate the style. This beer starts with a rich molasses pour, that is as black as black can get; great cascade into the dark tan/ light brown head. The smell is of rich black roasted malts, with hints of rye and oats. I know each person is different, some prefer to sip this beer; but I can't help but almost chug it, if that says anything about the drinkability. If you haven't had this beer you owe it to yourself to pick up a four pack, chill to proper temperature and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 00:36:46 | More by dgriffis

cherokeedan

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into Imperial pint glass. Pours pitch black with the slightest hint of brown near the edges. Thick one inch rusty brown colored head sits matter of factly on top and wont go away. I smell chocolate and coffee and malt and even some hops.

Taste is of dark chocolate, coffee, and there are definitely some hops in there. Quite unusual for this style, but not so much that it makes it bad, just enough so that you know its there. Actually its a nice suprise for a hop head like myself. Feels very smooth in the mouth with a fair amount of carbonation.

Finishes dry with a roasted coffee and caramel and hoppy aftertaste. Very impressive beer and pleasantly surpised by the amount of hops. Very nice and somewhat unique representation of the style. I think I'll have another. Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 03:48:47 | More by cherokeedan

beerneeder

New York

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I wouldn't session this beer. I couldn't .
I do love this beer. I do.
Color: Deep Black dirty white head
Taste: Coffee, chocolate, nutty, bitter
Aroma: Caramel, coffee, nutty malt

A beautiful rendition of an Imperial Stout. Much appreciated for the winter time. This has been a exceptionally cold one.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 01:13:58 | More by beerneeder

veratyr9

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured it carefully into a typical pint beerglass. pours very black, with a typical amount of head, dark brown/tan in color

Smells like.... well i just jumped right into drinking it

Tastes amazing. I have been going stout to stout looking for that one that just drops my jaw on the spot. this is it. Very roasted, rich, dark-type bitter flavor. a lot of breweries aim for this and screw it all up creating a bad bitter beer. North Coast brewing hit it dead on. Perfect type of bitter in a stout, no sour. The whole dark, slight coffee/chocolate thing.... spot on. out of the last dozen and a half or so stouts I've sampled this past summer, without question Old Rasputin takes the prize

It's 9%, and i've now had my fair share of them. I'm feeling quite fine. I have to say this is a much more enjjoyable feeling than other beers. The side effect is that you know you've drank them. they hit you, they hit you hard, you feel them in your gut. its like eating a loaf of bread that gets you drunk. i love this beer hah :D

Thank you Cheers wine and spirits in Chanhassen, MN for FINALLY stocking this. I have found my favorite imperial and I will be buying much more in the future!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 14:52:57 | More by veratyr9

bigsassyster

California

4.78/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: very thick and heavy.
Smell: gave off almost chocolately smell
taste: has abit of a coffee aftertaste to it.
mouthfeel: heavy, very heavy
drinkability: Excellent beer to drink. Can't drink more then maybe 2 or you wont be able to drive home.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 09:27:08 | More by bigsassyster

spartan30

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my first BA review!
I'm pleased to have the opportunity to review one of my favorite styles not to mention a beer I've been dying to try!

The appearance was exactly what you'd expect of the style dark and inviting with a half inch of rusty colored head with some lacing.

The smell was wonderful, a pleasant bouquet of chocolate,raisins and molasses with a pleasantly balanced roasted aroma bringing it all together.

The taste didn't disappoint either. This brew is a dessert all by itself. It has an alcoholic modesty and a rich complex flavor that could win over the most resistant to the style.

The mouth feel was a bit lighter than I expected not coating the mouth like others of the same style but again, the taste more than makes up for this.

Good drinkability a hardy beer but gentle and not overly boozy. Definitely a bargain for the quality. This is a beer that will remain a staple in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 21:53:48 | More by spartan30

Bammo22

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is officially my first attempt at reviewing, so bear with me! I'd also like to state, this tasting was my first real foray into this style. (Not an easy beer to review being such an amateur.) I've had a few of your standard American & English Stouts, and of course, plenty of Guinness & Murphy's. Actually I have had the pleasure of tasting a RIS before, FFF's Dark Lord on Memorial Day this year. However this was after I had PLENTY of my friend's homebrewed Saison & Belgium Pale. To say the least, it was like I was hit with a ton of bricks when I had Dark Lord. I figured if I'd just sit down and give this style a real try, it knew it might be something I'd like. So with all that in mind, on to my review...

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a snifter.

It poured a thick black, motor oil-ish body, with a little less than a one finger, dark tan head. The head dissipated fairly quick into a thin film, not much lacing. Little carbonation.

Still training my nose to pick up on various notes. Bittersweet chocolate is evident, coffee, roasted malts, and dark fruits.

The taste is very similar to the smell and the alcohol is well hidden, considering it's strength.

Feels a bit oily, but still smooth and creamy. A nice finish on the tongue to last, but also leaves you wanting more!

Very drinkable for a beer this complex. I would even recommend it to my Mom, who I just turned on to easy-going Belgium Wit's and the like, and who's once idea of a great beer was Corona.

I look forward to exploring other RIS's and Double Stouts. Till we meet again, Ol' Rasputin...

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2009 07:18:31 | More by Bammo22

DaleMcMutt

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

-Tulip Glass

Pours into your glass dark, just about black. Thick, caramel colored, two-finger head which lingers nicely before dissapearing. Not much lacing left, but that doesn't detract from anything.

Smells rich. Hints of chocolate and malt. Smells sturdy and thick with hints of coffee. Extremely inviting.

The feel is smooth and creamy on the palate with a dry finish. Carbonization is mild, but well balanced with the rest of the aspects. Just the right amount in my opinion. Hops are subtle and I detect more of the roasted qualities than anything.

Definitely one you'd like to sip and savor. Full bodied and thick, but not chewy.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2009 00:46:15 | More by DaleMcMutt

dpeteuil

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance - pours very dark with a faint redish brown and a creamy brown head.

smell - not too bad, seemed to decipate after pouring

taste - exceptional taste. quite strong, not too bitter.

mouthfeel - near perfect thickness, low carbonation.

drinkability - for what it is, i could drink alot more in one session.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2010 00:09:42 | More by dpeteuil

Tron67

Nebraska

4.83/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Completely black in the glass with a creamy tan head that dissappears. Overall good appearance.

S: You can definitely smell the alcohol in this beer. It's hidden with strong coffee and roasted malt aroma. Smells wonderful.

T: The initial taste is creamy in the front of the palate with hints of dark chocolate. The flavor then turns to mocha and finishes with a bitter coffee and herbal taste. The aftertaste is surprisingly smooth and long lasting. You can tell there is high alcohol, but it is lost in the sweet, stong coffee flavors.

M: Full-bodied, creamy and smooth, and medium carbonation.

D: Definitely enjoyable. Great for sipping for extended periods of time. Not good in the hot summer heat, great for winter.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 16:41:39 | More by Tron67

PandorasBottle

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours almost black with a toffee-colored, rich head. A very sexy and impressive glass of beer.

Aroma: Smoky malts and bitter, unsweetened chocolate with a hint of coffee. The smokiness is to die for!

Flavor/Finish: Deep roasted malts, with elements of coffe and chocolate. the midtones are quite sweet while the finish has a coffee-flavored bitterness. Lingering, mouth-coating finish which betrays the high abv at times.

Body/Mouthfeel: Very full-bodied and creamy, not a heavy mouth-coating. Very low carbonation lends to a somewhat syrupy mouthfeel at times.

Drinkability: With a somewhat syrupy texture, high abv and a heavy, full body, Old Rasputin is a sipper to end a evening with. Greater ambition might result in an upset stomach.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2010 01:19:26 | More by PandorasBottle