Old Rasputin
North Coast Brewing Co.
- From:
- North Coast Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #75 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,340 - Avg:
- 4.3 | pDev: 10.23%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 4,042
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sunday at 10:57 PM
- Added:
- Jan 18, 2001
- Wants:
- 719
- Gots:
- 3,422
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Produced in the tradition of 18th Century English brewers who supplied the court of Russia’s Catherine the Great, Old Rasputin seems to develop a cult following wherever it goes. It’s a rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Solar:
Reviewed by Solar from North Carolina
4.31/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.31/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Half pour on draft at Blue Ridge Beer Hub, Waynesville, NC. Almost or maybe a perfect balance of bitter and sweet. A magnificent impie stout. No over the top pastry vibe. This draft version is much smoother than the bottle. Pleasant bitter char finish. ABV well maintained at 9%.
May 11, 2026More User Ratings:
Rated by mattpressley from North Carolina
4.27/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A solid go-to for an Imperial Stout.
Sunday at 10:57 PMRated by AlexGreenBeer from New York
4.25/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Rich malt, roasty aroma, full body.
Apr 17, 2026Reviewed by Charborn from Illinois
4.32/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.32/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This beer feels like it came from the windblown russian steppe. Keep your wife away from this beer, or it might end up being her closest confidante and advisor. Known to precipitate revolution. Tounge-lashing beer that coats your mouth with the bitterness of a russian winter. Known to raise the dead and is absolutely capable of curing a child's haemophilia. This beer mus be drank with food or you'll wake up at the bottom of the moskva.
Mar 20, 2026
Reviewed by beerdedking from Pennsylvania
4.29/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This is an American RIS through and though. Greatness is foreshadowed by a lush khaki head during the pour. It has very little in the way of dark fruit notes while it booms with roasted dandelion, chicory, coffee, and bitter dark chocolate flavors. These flavors are delivered expertly via a perfect body and carbonation, especially as this beer warms. A bit one dimensional, but this is not the most deep thinking stout, and it doesn't need to be. Old school, dry, bitter, and easy to come back to. Classic
Mar 19, 2026Reviewed by CarswellBozeman from Indiana
4.7/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.7/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Old Rasputin deals with its drinkers as you may expect: harshly on an empty stomach. Even now, my gut turns just writing this review.
It is what it purports to be and remains a true achievement among brewers. I have long since stopped drinking them but continue to observe their place, at a respectful distance, on my Greatest Beers list.
Mar 02, 2026It is what it purports to be and remains a true achievement among brewers. I have long since stopped drinking them but continue to observe their place, at a respectful distance, on my Greatest Beers list.
Reviewed by LeinenkugelDrinker from Nevada
4.41/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: Flawless. Deep black body with a MASSIVE tan head that has 13 minute retention. One of the finest looking beers in the world.
Smell: Lightish smoky malts accompanied by inviting coffee.
Taste: Bitter upfront. Rounded out by smooth malts & coffee before finishing again on bitter side. Just a touch of alcohol is noticeable.
Feel: Heavy in the mouth and full bodied with adequate carbonation. Soothingly coats the throat.
Overall: A truly exceptional beer that I would highly recommend.
Jan 23, 2026Smell: Lightish smoky malts accompanied by inviting coffee.
Taste: Bitter upfront. Rounded out by smooth malts & coffee before finishing again on bitter side. Just a touch of alcohol is noticeable.
Feel: Heavy in the mouth and full bodied with adequate carbonation. Soothingly coats the throat.
Overall: A truly exceptional beer that I would highly recommend.
Reviewed by Stard0g from Arizona
4.48/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.48/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Delicious, crisp, fizzy and smooth, not creamy, yet thick dense head. just how I like it...
Dark roast coffee and dark chocolate notes with a subtle sweetness.
Jan 22, 2026Dark roast coffee and dark chocolate notes with a subtle sweetness.
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