Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

goom

Australia

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Given its reputation, I was slightly disappointed, until I let the beer warm properly.

Pitch black, with a tight brown head. Leaves some nice lacing which creeps down the glass as I drink.

Massive nose. Chocolate and coffee, roasty malt, plenty of hops, a touch of sweet fruits, slight alcohol.

Taste is similar to the nose, chocolate and coffee pair with big roasty flavour, and bitter hops all assault you. Some dark fruits sweeten the finish and a touch of alcohol.

Medium to Full bodied, perfect carbonation. Not too thick, certainly not watery, the beer seems to coat the mouth beautifully.

I'm not too far into stout territory but this beer is fantastic, exceptional example of the style. Don't make the mistake of serving this too cold.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 12:57:55 | More by goom

AllHoppedUp84

Indiana

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

I had anxiously awaited my first shot at this brew. Served on-tap at New Albanian Brewery. Poured a deep black with a two-finger head that was khaki-colored. Head retained very nicely and gripped to every inch of the glass. Aroma was somewhat hoppy but chocolate and coffee blasted through. Taste was much like the aroma, being dominated by chocolate and coffee with some nice hops up front. This brew masked the 9% very well. Medium-bodied and very smooth from start to finish. I typically am a hop-bomb IPA drinker and haven't experienced too many RIS but I was pleasantly surprised with this brew. Definitely will keep me coming back for more in the future. A must-try.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 18:45:04 | More by AllHoppedUp84

FaustieMo

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wonderful pour to give a rich, dark tan head. Although it didn't last long (due to the high alcohol), the head had a great combination of small and large bubbles. Really pretty beer.

In the aroma, I get rich, dark chocolate and roasty malts. The smell is very round and fresh, but not lighthearted. Some detectable alcohol. There may be some hints of dark fruits as well. Hope aroma is less evident.

The taste is unreal. There are huge, round chocolate and roasted malts, with the perfect balance of hop bitterness. After the swallow is a nice alcoholic burn.

The mouthfeel is extremely creamy. Drinking this beer is not unlike eating a piece of bread.

Incredible beer, a must try.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 02:44:00 | More by FaustieMo

Carolvs

Texas

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

Poured out of a bottle into a standard ale glass: Dense, impenetrable, pitch-black with a foamy mocha head that lasted a while (although not quite as long as some other reviewers have noted--but many of those had the advantage of drinking on-tap).

Strong notes of licorice and spice--but two of the myriad flavors that spike your palate. Overall, this is a knock-out beer, exploding with flavor, and pretty intense with its 9%+ alcohol content. Hard to imagine a beer gourmond not loving this beer unless you're not keen on stouts. Few rivals to this baby, a real delight.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 02:26:07 | More by Carolvs

scar

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An amazing beer and terrific in a special very American way. Taste and look were the best part of the beer,with smell lacking for an Imperial Stout.
My opinion is that even though this is an American Classic, this beer is really an over grown American/Foreign Extra Stout.

Imperial Stouts are billed as having aromas of dark fruit, burnt sugar, and aggressive yeast aromas and traditionally if true "English Stouts" don't have such a heavy Rbarley/coffee note.

Despite this, the beer was soooo drinkable and I love idea of an overgrown carrying a big stick stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 00:05:37 | More by scar

cfrivera1

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Tripel Karmeliet tulip.

A: Pours a beautiful nearly black color with a finger and a half to two fingers of dense dark tan head. Great retention and truly beautiful lacing.

S: Smells of a malty pang. Chocolaty with slight coffee scent and a hint of some dark fruits. Sweet and tangy in the initial whiff with slight roasted and chocolate malts present.

T: WOW - smooth chocolate taste from the roasted malts. A slight coffee aftertaste. I don't get much of the dark fruit that I thought I was smelling. Its blend of chocolate and coffee flavorings which work really well. VERY tasty. I better be careful with this one - at 9% - it's no chump!

M: Medium to full bodied creamy mouthfeel. Lovely syrup sensation that adds to the rich deep flavour. A hint of sweetness complemented with tasty dark chocolaty bitterness. A solid RIS mouthfeel with a perfect balance between sweetness and chocolate/coffee bitterness.

O: Bottom line - at $8.99 for a 12 oz 4-pack, this is a gem in the rough!! Appearance, smell, taste and mouthfeel are above average. This brew is in a league of its own; everything that is better than what's harder to find year round and more expensive, but damn near comparable in every other department.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 03:51:28 | More by cfrivera1

Jwicker

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought from Randall's in fairview heights, IL, 4 pack for 10$, surprisingly a great deal.
Among stouts, Russian imperial are my favorite, and among imperial stouts, old rasputin is my favorite. Oh man, where to begin with this brilliant beverage.
The jet black appearance lets you know as soon as you pop open that bottle, you're in for a wild ride. I usually pour this into my special stout glass. The look is just great. Once poured, a dark tan foam more delicious than any cappuccino you have ever seen, immediately covers the top of the drink. Once you start drinking a glass of this, a wonderful division of carbonation fills your mouth from drink one until done.
-THE SMELL is very faint for me, then again it may be because I'm getting really buzzed after one bottle. But the main hints of fresh coffee grounds and chocolate syrup definitely scream out.
-THE TASTE is incredible. The first time I had this I was amazed. VERY dark, and VERY strong taste. Kick in the nuts at first, but it's Beautiful. In detail, it tastes like I'm drinking a slightly hoppy iced mocha with extra dark expresso shots. Very delicious.
-THE FEEL is pretty heavy. This stout is thick and it will set nicely. An instant warmer.
Leaves a nice strong taste In your mouth.
I always look forward to getting some more Rasputin. Incredible stout.
If your are a stout drinker, this is hands down one of the best, if not the best.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 02:54:48 | More by Jwicker

niday2288

Illinois

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

A-Pitch black pout that is thick out of the bottle with a two finger head that is dark khaki.
S-Nose is coffe and semi sweet chocolate
T-Hint of dark chocolate and roasted malts with a slight hop undertone to add bitterness
M-thick with little effervesecence
O-Pretty good. I would take a couple others over this if I were stranded on an island, but all in all pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 02:38:30 | More by niday2288

monkaass

New York

4.55/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Wow, this is a wonderful stout, period. My first sip told the me everything I needed to know. Keep drinking!!

Suble chocate overtone with a wonderful strong acohol finish.

Perfect hop balance with a malty bite

Harsh AND pleasant, hard to desrcibe but this is an aggressive imperial stout that I can some up in one word, quality. Feels like more than 9 ABV, If you have more than one, watch out you will feel it the next day.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2006 02:43:05 | More by monkaass

cowace2

Oklahoma

4.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I call it "motor oil stout". Thick like syrup, pouring it is a joy. Head is very dark and thick, feels and looks great.

Both smell and taste are dominanted by roasted malts. Seems like chocolate and coffee. Great combination; it is obvious they spent a long time perfecting the malt combo and they hit this one out of the park.

Ideal balance between sweetness and dryness. 9% is definitely not apparent. Very easy to drink considering how thick and strong it is.

Personally I think this is one of the premier stouts brewed in America. Use it to scare off your Bud Light swilling friends and then sit back and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2007 02:56:03 | More by cowace2

DUNDERBAK

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Its been on tap for a while here in Tampa. Pours dark ,rich and thick, and black, not as much ruby in the color as I would expect. Creamy head retention better on co2 blend than straight co2. Can't decide which I like better.
Complexity is the key word, black pat malts, coffee, maybe carmel gives the nose its fill of raisins and plumbs.
Esters of alcohol are there, the finish is a little sharp with a contradictory sweetness lingering on the tongue. Carbonation is low, mouth feel is enhanced when on blend. This is my choice for a RIS however The Yeti is right behind.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2007 20:04:35 | More by DUNDERBAK

paskinsj

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Like Guinness with a kick, a must try. This has all the smooth taste of a creamy stout with the after kick of bitterness like from arrogant bastards ale. Dark rich coffee flavor with a smokey chocolate hints. This is something to drink very slow and savor.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2007 19:03:13 | More by paskinsj

BeerlyHuman

Ohio

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

Poured from bottle to pint glass. BLACK! Perfect example of this style. One of the best! A must drink for the stout lover!! Wonderful nose appeal and equally as pleasant on the palate. Nice coffee chocolate flavors you would expect. Smooth upfront. Don't drink a dozen!!! Nice sipper!! Awesome brew!!!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2008 23:09:15 | More by BeerlyHuman

mgaddy

Arkansas

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Amazing. One of my favorite cold weather beers.
It is so good. You have to go out and try a bottle of this. You just have to.

Appearance. Beautiful dark, nearly black with a tan head that retains incredibly well throughout the entire glass, leaving lacing behind the entire way.

Smell. Chocolatey goodness. Maltiness. Some hints of other great aromas that i can't put my finger on.

Taste. Incredible. More chocolate and coffee flavors. Not overly bitter.

Mouthfeel. Delicious. I want to drink this stuff all the time. So smooth and creamy.

Drinkability. Absolutely drinkable. Check this out if you haven't already.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2008 18:51:29 | More by mgaddy

myxomatosis

New York

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Pours black and opaque. About 1/5 inch of cappuccino-brown head which dissipates over the course of 1 or 2 minutes. Some lacing, but not too much.

S - Very rich, smoky aroma. Sweet, with caramel notes.

T - Big, intense and smoky, with a distinct coffee flavor. The flavor is pretty complex; I can taste a very subtle fruitiness hiding in there. Tastes a little alcoholic, but not overpoweringly so.

M - Thick, smooth and creamy. Good carbonation - not overwhelming, and with very small bubbles.

D - Robust and absolutely delicious; great for sipping. I would serve it alongside something equally hearty, like steak, beef stew, pot roast or venison.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2009 01:02:18 | More by myxomatosis

Crosby

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This got poured from a 12oz. bottle and the head is great, sticks around forever. Black as night and a pretty good aroma. It has alot of chocolate, malt and alcohol. Drinks easy but two or three is enough... maybe. All in all this is a good beer for any time of the year.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2009 01:27:32 | More by Crosby

Plonk

Alabama

4.45/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured in a snifter.

A - vigorous pour leaves a 2" med. tan head that falls to a 1/8" foam leaving light lace to bottom of glass. dark black core with some dark mahogany around edges.

S - Reviewing with a cold so bear with me. ..aromas of devil's food cake, coffee, and a bit of bread dough, no perceivable hop aroma but that could be the cold limiting my sense of smell.

T - Dark chocolate mousse, coffee, malty sweetness, finishing with a slight fruit tartness and roasted malt bitterness.

M - For a 9% ABV beer the mouthfeel is surprisingly light, not that this is a shrieking violet, but it doesn't cloy and overwhelm the taste buds, the overall feel is velvety with a light carbonation but weight from the sweetness and roasted malt, alcohol presence is there but nicely hidden.

D - Despite this being a mouthful of beer, it leaves you wanting another drink then another bottle. This beer could be dangerous.

All in all an excellent benchmark RIS and will continue to find its way into my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 02:33:10 | More by Plonk

onmyslide

Texas

3.83/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: DARK! Seriously, it pours like motor oil, which is pretty awesome. Solid amount of head as well.

S: Malt and liquor.

T: Solid.

M: Very good. Good balance of carbonation.

D: Just dove in, but it really seems like something you could have two of for sure. Wouldn't suggest drinking more than probably two since the alcohol level is pretty high (9 or 10%).

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2009 04:29:25 | More by onmyslide

manbrognig74

Indiana

4.22/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Very black, motor oil consistency. Thin tan head disappears quickly. Super attractive lacing. The lacing matched me drink for drink.

S-Slight cholate smell, slighlty creamy smell, slightttly.

T-This was slightly aged. Initial taste of chocolate with a slight bitterness. Alcohol hits slightly on the nose after it goes down. Almost a vanilla extract taste. Leaves a great after taste, still tasting the beer after it was drank. More and more alcohol hit towards the final three or so drinks.

MF- Thick and creamy like your drinking a melted milk shake almost. About as enjoyable as a R.I.S should be in feel.

D- Very drinkable... Could take down a few of these bottles possibly all four before it filled me up. Overall a veryyy good brew and highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 03:08:50 | More by manbrognig74

ahatch551

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass, opaque and black with nice lacing beautiful beer.

Sweet malt and caramel aroma. Aroma is very subtle.

nice roasted almost coffee flavor, good flavor balance.

Good mouthfeel soft on the tongue with a nice dry finish.

Very drinkable beer only the high gravity limits the number I can drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2010 17:23:59 | More by ahatch551

verge

California

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

You mean you haven't tried this yet? Shame on you.

Pours black as night. Not quite as motor oil-ish as, say, Victory Storm King, but you won't find much darker than this. Held up to light, I see no ruby on the edges of the glass. Just black.

I like this beer too much at this point to take time to smell it. Sorry.

Taste - Burnt chocolate. Hey, I don't have the most developed palette, but dang. I taste dark chocolate. I taste espresso. I taste something burnt...but in a good way. I don't like burnt toast but I sure as hell like whatever is in this brew.

Mouthfeel - ooh so thick and so satisfying.

Drinkability - well, nothing's perfect I guess. This beer is SO good. But the 9% alcohol is evident, no way around it. Two of these in a night and I'm done. I tend to stop at one. No need for more. My mouth thinks I just smoked a cigar. Except in the morning, it won't still feel icky.

On the positive side, it keeps me from drinking too much. There is enough enjoyment in one bottle of Old Rasputin to last an hour.

An exceptional beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 05:59:55 | More by verge

svendryden

Michigan

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

Obtained my 4-pack based on a friends suggestion. So glad I heeded it. Filled my pint glass with over an inch of head, took quite awhile to pour, increasing the anticipation.

A - Deep black with a slight tint of amber. A foamy tan head that makes this beer look like an inverted oil spill. I love that my wife cringes when I drink it because she can't imagine consuming something so menacing.

S - Dark chocolatey, the kind I would normally steer clear of in solid form, but always smells great. Also it's got the morning roasted coffe scent going. And finally a hint of smokiness.

T - As with the smell, strong chocolate followed by the coffee finish. A bitterness that's welcoming.

M - Smooth and full. Not the thickess as one would assume from the look, but enough that your mouth is coated after a few drinks and you can continue to swallow air and it tastes like your still drinking the beer. Near Perfect.

D - I expected a moderatley slow drink, but surprisingly the 9.0 ABV doesn't stand out. I find myself sadened that in the time it took to write the review I seem to have finished the beer. This 4-pack could go very quickly indeed.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 19:54:19 | More by svendryden

unclemorgan

Oklahoma

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

Bottle pour into a 16 oz Carling pub glass (it was a gift from a n English pub, that i break out for special occasions) with an etched bottom.

Dark brown pour with a creamy brown head that was initially thick and stayed all the way down.

Smells of dark chocolate and coffee beans, blueberries, raisons. Tastes also added a touch of hops and had a smooth finish.

This is a great sipping beer. I enjoy a good stout but the Imperials may take pole position.

Fantastic!!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 03:40:00 | More by unclemorgan

Rangerator

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer has a lot of hype, with having such a large following I had to cave in and try it. Poured into a snifter from a bottle, beautiful black body with a stunning imperial stout head. First sip..boom lots of carbination almost too much almost burned my mouth, I didnt like that so I let it sit for a few minutes to warm up and still too much carbination which I did not enjoy at all kind of killed it for me. Good beer just too much carb definitely a lot of other Imperials out there that are better. Check out Moylans Imperial its a lot more satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 04:29:59 | More by Rangerator

sgtaxt

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

In a tulip.

Appearance: Pours a stunning obsidian black. Mocha colored, one finger head that dissipates quickly leaving just a ring of foam and minimal lacing. Beautiful beer.

Smell: Coffee and dark malts. Some fruit scents that remind me of red wine. Also a bit of a sour, acidic smell right at the end (maybe the alcohol?).

Taste: Espresso, bold roast (almost burnt) flavor, bitterness balanced by warm chocolate flavors. The 9% ABV is apparent without being overwhelming.

Mouthfeel: Heavy body paired with med-high carbonation makes this beer creamy and satisfying. Taste and carbonation linger in the mouth.

Overall: My first imperial stout so I don't have much to compare it to, but this beer is outstanding no matter how you look at it.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 19:24:34 | More by sgtaxt