Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

WalterHeisenberg

New Mexico

4.98/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Bottle aggressive pour into pint glass
A: dark black oil like with coffe colored head good lacing/ retention looks fantastic!
S: coffe dark chocolate slight alcohol burnt caramel vanilla smells great
T: roasty toasty malty up front chocolate coffe cream then finishes hoppy bitter.Wow !
M: creamy yet not quite as thick as I expected silky smooth
O: yeah wow. I'm converted. this is no doubt the best beer I've ever had. And the reviews say this is above average. What's top shelf taste like?? I'm in for life with the RIS.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 04:20:20 | More by WalterHeisenberg

alex_hart

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance: black black black with a tannish, brown half finger head that dissipates quickly. Beautiful, thick lacing throughout the duration of the glass.

Smell: Burnt coffee, dark cocoa, sweet malt, and a hint of toffee.

Taste: Follows the nose almost to a T. Burnt coffee right off the bat, then the cocoa comes in along with the sweet malt. Slight bitterness on the tip of the tongue, but not overbearing at all. Pretty good.

Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy. slight carbonation twinge on the tongue. Leaves a bit of slick residue on the finish.

Overall: This is a pretty good RIS. There is a lot of hype about this one, but it isn't the best thing I have ever had. It is inexpensive (under $8 for a 4 pack) so it is worth the try. Everyone's palate is different! cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 00:46:58 | More by alex_hart

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into snifter glass.

Wonderful R.I.S.

A= Rich, deep brown, almost black. Decent head, though could be thicker. Lacing is nice throughout a pretty large snifter glass.

S= Wonderful nose. Deep chocolates, coffee, cherry and coffee liquor. Sweetness lingering throughout the nose, perhaps cherry.

T= Deep chocolate and espresso. Caramelized grain and hops. Rich, lasting sweetness with mild bitterness and, again, liquor taste.

M= Only average. Prefer the mouth-feel to Guinness, Nitro Milk Stout, etc. But not bad nonetheless.

O= A great imperial stout. A little boozy, but flavorful and complex, with deep, robust coffee and chocolate undertones. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 22:13:03 | More by smooth_aleing

RaulMondesi

California

4.69/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Oh baby, Old Rasputin is a constant go to. Like flippin' to page 29 in the 1999 Victoria's Secret Winter Catalogue when I was 15 - go to.

Now, the Kings just took a 2-0 lead in the first, but Raul was pumped even before that. This bad boy is just splendid. Rich, dark, luscious... (and no, I'm not talking about Beyonce). I mean, just smooth. Nina Agdal promoting a Cod sandwich for Carl's Jr. smooth.

Find it my children. Find it good.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 03:09:14 | More by RaulMondesi

Roman5150

Michigan

4.34/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased from Total Beverages in Murfreesboro, TN.

Appearance: One of the darkest beers i've ever seen. LIght coffee head, wonderful lacing all throughout the glass.

Smell: Chocolate, very bready, espresso. very pleasant and complex aroma.

Taste: An amazing Russian Imperial Stout, a standard by which others should be measured by. Smooth coffee initial taste, bready mid, and chocolatey smooth aftertaste. Reminds me a lot like a Founder's Breakfast Stout

Mouthfeel: Creamy full stout flavor, dry aftertaste.

Overall: One of the best stout's ive ever had, I would rank it right up there with Founder's Breakfast Stout and my local Liberty Street Brewing's Emperor Norton. So smooth and heavy, and every flavor note you would expect in a world class stout; chocolate, coffee, bready... This one one beer you should try, even if you're not a fan of the style, it is a solid representation of a perfect Russian Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:48:00 | More by Roman5150

dar482

New York

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A dark brown, black color with a light coffee head and wonderful lacing. It almost looks like an milk stout with its carbonation.

The aroma has this sweet milk stout aroma with milk chocolate, but with also a sweet, milky malt smell.

The flavor is very creamy. However, the taste follows the aroma. There’s a slight sense of hoppiness in there to uplift it, but there’s a coffee creaminess in general. The finish is a very bitter chocolate or maybe hop bitterness. It pushes towards almost an oatmeal stout/porter style to me than anything.

This doesn’t quite do it for me in the style of Russian Imperial. I think of it more as a 9% oatmeal stout, which it does amazingly well. Because it has such a deep rich chocolate and ashy and burnt notes. It reminds me a bit of Ten Fidy, but not quite there.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 03:40:46 | More by dar482

realbama

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This and "Celebrator" are the two finest beers known to man. Rasputin is pitch black. You would think you're about to down pure oil if the smell didn't hit your nose just before the liquid gold hits your mouth. It smells of smokey chocolate, hops and alcohol. This beer tastes very creamy, very complex. If my kid is ever diagnosed with a terminal disease and we get to go somewhere via the "make a wish" foundation, I'm gonna demand to see what the heck they're doing at Lost Coast with this brew. ....not really, of course. I'll let my kid go to Disney World or something. But I'll always wonder.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 04:10:25 | More by realbama

brewcifix

Connecticut

4.84/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance-
Raspy pours black with a thick fluffy beige head. This beer laces like a champ! There were rings all down my glass! And, the ice cream soda looking head is going the distance! I’m almost done, with plenty of head left.

Smell-
There's a strong chocolate, cream nose.

Taste-
First there’s a rush of dark coffee, espresso, bitter chocolate, molasses, and burnt malt flavors. Then this stout finsihes with subtle hops and an INCREDIBLE cereal-malt-espresso aftertaste that lingers LONG.

Mouthfeel-
The mouth feel is silky smooth, with medium carbonation and a heavy weight on the tongue.

Overall-
This beer is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I would LOVE to find this stuff on tap! Easily, this is one of the absolute BEST crafted, looking, and tasting brew that I have ever come across!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 21:48:37 | More by brewcifix

Rhower

Pennsylvania

4.29/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

An overall fun & outstanding experience with a pint glass of this renowned RIS.

A: Enjoyed this for my first time on a nitro-tap (I know, don't be jealous) at the West
Reading Tavern. The thick, creamy head settled itself into a two-fingered, pillowy soft
foam that lingered for the entire session. Black, dense, motor-oil appearance with a
pleasant "drink me" syrup viscosity. 4

S: Smoke, caramel, and malt. Very rich in the nose with a nearly buttery warmth - much like
the appearance, the nose of this brew begs a hearty quaff. 4.5

T: A burnt caramel front, melding with a back-end tobacco hint that finishes with a malty
flare. The place where this beer veered for me - not into anything even remotely
unpleasant, but just a slight let down - was at it's close as it warmed. Where the first
half of the beer, experienced at a pleasant just beyond cold temperature soared. I found that the beer took on a sour finish as it warmed. Not bitter - not deeper in it's malt character - just ... sour. Surprisingly, I found I wouldn't nurse this beer toward warmth in future pints, but would rather enjoy the full glass before it struck that final chord. 4

M: A beautiful aspect of this beer; it's heavy, dense, buttery soft feel in the mouth. From
start to finish, each sip is very easy - never touching on a place where the alcohol draws
on the mouth. It is one of the smoothest drinking RIS I've ever had. 4.75

O: This is one of those "kid at Christmas" beers. If I walk into a bar and see this on the
draught list, my excitement soars and my knees start to jump ... from first sip to last
(albeit a little faster "last" than on this visit), an exceptional brew! 4.5

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-29-2013 17:51:31 | More by Rhower

zrbeer1579

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

EDIT: Updated review

Appearance: Just black with a one and half finger light mocha dense creamy head that lasted for a quite a while.

Aroma: Roasted and burnt malts. Dark chocolate and some coffee. And some dark fruits as well.

Taste: Dark roasted chocolate and coffee. Burnt malts. A slight of dark fruits. Nice bitterness throughout the flavors . Finish have a lingering roasted chocolate bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-heavy bodied. Almost creamy but the carbonation feels a bit too much.

Overall: Even through the stout it's not as intense as I thought it would be (and as described on the bottle); it tasted good. I definitely would not mind having it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 16:26:03 | More by zrbeer1579

Segelstrom

Pennsylvania

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - this stout pours to a light brown head. It is very frothy so be sure to pour slow down the side of the glass.

S - not strong or bold. rather mild for an imperial stout

T - wonderful and rich

M - carbonation is not harsh

O - recommend to all stout lovers

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 18:39:10 | More by Segelstrom

weonfire

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - Dark dark brown, opaque, HUGE fluffy mocha head, patchy lacing

S - Roasty dark chocolate, coffee

T - initial: Roasty (4/10) dark chocolate, caramel, honey, expresso, dry malt, vanilla. finish: roasty nuts, coffe, touch of smoke. roastyness does linger a bit. hops is low (2/10)

M - Frothy, real creamy, high viscosity, even has a touch of velvet, med/full body

O - Nose leads you to believe this might be a roasty beer. While it does have some roast, not as much as thought. I find this to be an excellent brew. While i personally don't like the roast beers - it had just a touch more than I like and it could be a bit sweeter. Appearance, while poured vigorously,was spectacular. Mouth is excellent. I do wish the nose was better. Overall, very good.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 00:45:58 | More by weonfire

StArnoldFan

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I had this on Nitro about a month ago at Nobi Public House in Clear Lake, reviewing from notes. The pour on this was simply amazing. It had about an inch of head that was so thick I could sit a quarter on it without sinking and remained for the duration of my glass. Dark black in color with that awesome mocha head that lingered. Not much on the nose but the taste was of chocolate and mild coffee hints. Easily one of, if not the thickest stouts I'v ever had. Anytime I see this on Nitro, I will have a glass.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-14-2013 23:40:40 | More by StArnoldFan

craft_shannie

Indiana

3.91/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: black; two finger dark khaki foamy head. i hate to say this, but i thought it would pour thicker. but, still a good looking brew.
S: roasted malts; bit of vanilla; i'm not getting a lot of complexity at all. and i've allowed it to warm plenty.
T: roasted malts; still not a lot of complexity, but solid. some coffee, chocolate, vanilla, but overwhelming roasted malts. good bitterness.
M: it's thin for the style. disappointingly so.
O: sorry, Old Rasputin. you had the great misfortunate of being second in a two RIS line-up tonight and you followed ten fidy. in all fairness, this is a solid brew, but pales in comparison in terms of looks (esp. the pour), smell, taste, and defintely the mouthfeel. old rasputin tastes more like a regular everyday stout than a Russian Imperial.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 00:14:02 | More by craft_shannie

JarMills

British Columbia (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

The foam just stays still the entire time you drink it. It's like nothing I've ever seen a beer do. I tilted the glass, and it just stayed one blob! It smells like chocolate or coffee. But the more important thing, the taste: it's great! A bit bitter, but smoother than any other ale I've had.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 01:55:45 | More by JarMills

jjchristiano

New Jersey

4.66/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into my Duvel Tulip.
Took bottle out of fridge a good half hour ago.
Man I love this beer. A very very easy drinking 9% ABV Russian Imperial Stout.
I liked it so much I dont have any more to sip and make additional comments. Only bought a single in a mix-a-sixpack. Will buy a 4? or 6? pack next time I see it.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:20:04 | More by jjchristiano

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

RWLawman

North Carolina

3.76/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Jet black with generous creamy head and lots of lacing left behind.

S - Absolutely delicious smell. Creamy, with chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt notes and a touch of alcohol at the end. If this beer followed the nose, I think I'd have an all-time favorite.

T - Starts with heavy roasted malts and black coffee notes, followed up with alcohol, dark chocolate, and finishes with a pine hop punch. Reminds me somewhat of a thin mint for some reason. Must be the chocolate and pine. Pretty good, but surprisingly...not my favorite imperial.

M - A lot of carbonation. Heavy mouth feel. While I typically enjoy less carbonation in my beers, I still found this to be a worthwhile experience. I've heard this beer described as a fine representation of the style, so if nothing else, try this beer for that reason.

O - Enjoyed it. I think I'd absolutely love it on draft, and will look to do so in the near future. For a bottled imperial, I was mildly impressed.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 02:47:48 | More by RWLawman

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Half Acre snifter.

A- pours black with a huge 3" dark tan head. Huge trails, clumps and blotches of lacing all over the glass.

S- chocolate, roast, bitter coffee, anise, and big pine aroma.

T- bitter chocolate, roasted malts, some coffee and bitter pine.

M- full body and medium carbonation. Nice creamy feel with a crisp finish.

O- very good RIS. Probably the best option for a RIS that is easy to find and available even at none beer bars.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 04:12:29 | More by kawilliams81

itlnstallion11

California

4.89/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- I was lucky to first try this beer from a nitro tap. It poured a motor oil black with a thick tan head I could rest a penny on.

S- great smell, barley, milk chocholate, some oatmeal hints, black licorice, some dark fruits, with a nice roast finish

T- ton of Malts, some plum, molasses, chocolate, hints of coffee with a pleasant wood burn bitter ending.

M- full bodied thick milkshake

O- an awesome stout, one of my new favorites. Alcohol is masked well and the taste is not overbearing. The balance of sweetness an bitterness is one of almost perfection, I'm utterly in love with this beer. Get one.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-03-2013 06:53:37 | More by itlnstallion11

mfavoino

Washington

4.26/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.

A: Pours a thick, black with a creamy head. Head retains well and provides great lacing on the sides of the glass.

S: Milk chocolate, roasted malts, nutty, and some soy sauce.

T: Sweet chocolate flavor, burnt malts, light coffee. Some subtle dark fruit and alcohol starts to come out as it warms.

M: Creamy, full-bodied stout that still has decent drinkability.

O: I can't believe it took me this long to try this classic. A very good stout that I will come back to.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 03:45:38 | More by mfavoino

RenaudNW

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

About as well balanced a Stout as you are going to find in a widely distributed bottled offering. This has the appearance that a good stout should; very dark but not jet black with just enough opacity to see nucleation bubbles form the sides of the glass. It produces a nice balanced head but I would prefer it to be a little finer in texture (the head that is). The smell is reminiscent of a good working man's Irish stout. The aroma has just the right balance of bitterness and toasted grain. The taste is where Old Rasputin really shines! It is full bodied and flavorful with a clean finish. It is neither too bitter nor in any way weak. As I said, very well balanced. Mouthfeel is good; it's smooth and clean without feeling watery.

This is an EXCELLENT every day drinking Stout! I always have a few in the door to the refrigerator as a nice treat at the end of the day. The 12oz offering also lets me enjoy one without feeling lightheaded due to the high alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:13:43 | More by RenaudNW

tylerf19

Texas

4.34/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance - Basically the staple RIS. Yes there are thicker, more robust RIS, but there are also weaker ones that can kiss rasputins ass. Pours nicely, I got a great creamy-brown head that laced throughout.

smell - Okay it smells good, it smells like a good RIS... more chocolatey than roasty or coffee ground. got a great aroma when I swirled it a bit.

taste - Old rasputin just tastes good. very rich sweet chocolate/roasty malts. a delicious RIS that is not hard to drink at all. If you want to branch in to russian imperials then try this... I believe this is the best starter Russian Imperial for those who have not had many stouts. I noticed no hints of any boozy alcohol...

mouthfeel - Like I said above... it is not the thickest stout and it is definitely not weak and watery. A great balance that people continue to re-visit. Creamy with no alcohol fume.

overall - Try it... if you like RIS then you must try old rasputin. If you want to branch away from hop-bombs and get in to the stout game then you MUST try old rasputin.. it is definitely a staple RIS that you can base other stouts off of. In texas, it is highly available.. try this beer!!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 20:48:42 | More by tylerf19

boesesfleisch

California

3.93/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

This is a very good beer. Looks good in the glass and had a nice creamy head that laced all the way down. I was a little disappointed with the aroma and mouth feel as I found them to be a little weak and thin for the style. Overall I thought this was a good, solid beer that everyone should try, but did not quite live up to the hype in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 07:40:03 | More by boesesfleisch

andrewjraab

Michigan

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - Black velvet, with huge mocha head with good webbing and stick.

S - Chocolate, coffee beans, roasted malts, alcohol.

T - Dark chocolate, roasted coffee, malted milk balls, amazing complexity and many layers to the sweet chocolate. Finishes bittersweet.

O - This is the best Russian Imperial Stout I have ever had. It is amazingly smooth and the drinkability this glass of motor oil is second to none in its class. Perfect for a relaxing winter day.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 22:26:28 | More by andrewjraab