Old Rasputin
North Coast Brewing Co.

This brew pours a solid black color with a two finger mocha head which lasts for some time. Some of the head remains on the brew until the end. Thick mocha lacing, med. carbonation.

The smell is chocolate, burnt and roasted malts, alcohol, licorice and nuts.

The taste follows the nose with the chocolate and alcohol dominating. This brew lost one or two points for not masking the alcohol better; it tastes almost like a Barleywine. Roasted and sweet malts then take over leading to a big hoppy finish.

The mouthfeel is thick and chewy. Bready. A slightly dry feeling is left in the mouth after swallowing.

Overall this is a bold and powerful stout with a great blend of flavors. If you love chocolate then give this a try. Be warned, the alcohol taste might make your hair stand on end but I can't fault this brew too much for that.

A solid go-to for an Imperial Stout.

 

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%.

 

 

 

Rich malt, roasty aroma, full body.

 

 

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.

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

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.