Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout | North Coast Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
North Coast Brewing Co.
California, United States | website
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by kbub6f on 01-18-2001
Reviews: 3,647 | Ratings: 11,925
4.1/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Again another beer I got from nflmvp a few days ago.
This one pours dark black with a brown head that doesn't leave to much in the way of lacing.
The aroma is of coffee, black patent, bitter chocolate, alcohol.
The flavor is chocolate and coffee mixed whith alcohol and plum. There is a nice alcohol warming but it isn't as chewy as I thought it would be.
The mouthfeel is nice and creamy. It is full bodied with medium carbonation.
This is a very drinkable beer especially for an imperial stout. Definately worth picking up.
★ 542 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Again another beer I got from nflmvp a few days ago.
This one pours dark black with a brown head that doesn't leave to much in the way of lacing.
The aroma is of coffee, black patent, bitter chocolate, alcohol.
The flavor is chocolate and coffee mixed whith alcohol and plum. There is a nice alcohol warming but it isn't as chewy as I thought it would be.
The mouthfeel is nice and creamy. It is full bodied with medium carbonation.
This is a very drinkable beer especially for an imperial stout. Definately worth picking up.
★ 542 characters
4.49/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
A: Jet black with some slight transparencies towards the bottom of the glass. Very thin tan head that disapates before it even gets anywhere.
S: Very very roasty which I love. Chocolate, toffee, coffee... pretty much anything you would expect from a IRS, only WAY roastier!
T: First taste the roasted malts and chocolate dominate the palate followed by some licorice and a slight sting of alcohol. Aftertaste is very bitter like a strong coffee leaving the tongue throbbing and begging for more. Sticks to the tongue like glue. I can taste it for a long, long time after I've swallowed. A little alchol burn is noticable after a while, but for the most part it's pretty well hidden. As it warms the malts become stronger while the alcohol becomes weaker. Tastes better and better as you drink it.
M: There is a slight burn of alcohol on the way down, but not too bad. Carbonation is a little high.
D: This has quickly became one of my favorite beers of all time. I can drink it like water and I drink it very often. Very easy to drink for something of such high ABV. I really can't see it getting much better than this.
★ 1,133 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
A: Jet black with some slight transparencies towards the bottom of the glass. Very thin tan head that disapates before it even gets anywhere.
S: Very very roasty which I love. Chocolate, toffee, coffee... pretty much anything you would expect from a IRS, only WAY roastier!
T: First taste the roasted malts and chocolate dominate the palate followed by some licorice and a slight sting of alcohol. Aftertaste is very bitter like a strong coffee leaving the tongue throbbing and begging for more. Sticks to the tongue like glue. I can taste it for a long, long time after I've swallowed. A little alchol burn is noticable after a while, but for the most part it's pretty well hidden. As it warms the malts become stronger while the alcohol becomes weaker. Tastes better and better as you drink it.
M: There is a slight burn of alcohol on the way down, but not too bad. Carbonation is a little high.
D: This has quickly became one of my favorite beers of all time. I can drink it like water and I drink it very often. Very easy to drink for something of such high ABV. I really can't see it getting much better than this.
★ 1,133 characters
4.06/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I've been hearing about this beer for a while and I finally was lucky enough to find a fourpack at hyvee for 9 bucks. I went back a few days later and not a trace was left. It pours black. Not inky black like some others but dark enough. The amazing part is that you can see the bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass to the top! I don't know what is causing it and it's the firts time i've ever seen in it. Head retention is pretty good not that I care. It smells like the typical Imperial stout, burnt. It tastes pretty complex for suck a heavy beer. I can detect a bit of citrus and rose on the front of the toungue. Maybe a little bitter for my taste but still delicious. The picture of Rasputin on the front is great. I'm surprised I found this in august as i usually thing of imperial stout as a winter drink.
★ 818 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I've been hearing about this beer for a while and I finally was lucky enough to find a fourpack at hyvee for 9 bucks. I went back a few days later and not a trace was left. It pours black. Not inky black like some others but dark enough. The amazing part is that you can see the bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass to the top! I don't know what is causing it and it's the firts time i've ever seen in it. Head retention is pretty good not that I care. It smells like the typical Imperial stout, burnt. It tastes pretty complex for suck a heavy beer. I can detect a bit of citrus and rose on the front of the toungue. Maybe a little bitter for my taste but still delicious. The picture of Rasputin on the front is great. I'm surprised I found this in august as i usually thing of imperial stout as a winter drink.
★ 818 characters
4.13/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured absolutely pitch black into the venerable old globe glass, with little head and a small amount of lacing. The smell is of dark chocolate and coffee with a matching, very dry taste and noticeable alcohol in the finish. The mouth feel is very heavy and silky. As enjoyable as this beer is, I dont think that I would tempt fate by having two, but this is easily a beer that one could have in place of a brandy and desert after a good meal.
★ 445 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured absolutely pitch black into the venerable old globe glass, with little head and a small amount of lacing. The smell is of dark chocolate and coffee with a matching, very dry taste and noticeable alcohol in the finish. The mouth feel is very heavy and silky. As enjoyable as this beer is, I dont think that I would tempt fate by having two, but this is easily a beer that one could have in place of a brandy and desert after a good meal.
★ 445 characters
3.95/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
I looked forward to trying this beer. It poured black with only a small head that went down to mostly a ring around the glass. I held it up to a lamp and could not see any light coming through at all. It had a roasted smell similar to coffee beans. The taste started bitter and then turned to coffee and some bitter, dark chocolate. There is some alcohol in the aftertaste and it lasted a long time. The mouthfeel is the most interesting thing about this beer. It is smooth, oily and thick and coats the inside of your mouth. This is a slow sipper. It went down easier as it warmed up (and maybe as it warmed me up). Overall, this is an intense beer. The bitterness, heaviness and ABV keeps me from having too many. I'd like to try one that has aged to see if it smooths out a bit.
★ 781 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
I looked forward to trying this beer. It poured black with only a small head that went down to mostly a ring around the glass. I held it up to a lamp and could not see any light coming through at all. It had a roasted smell similar to coffee beans. The taste started bitter and then turned to coffee and some bitter, dark chocolate. There is some alcohol in the aftertaste and it lasted a long time. The mouthfeel is the most interesting thing about this beer. It is smooth, oily and thick and coats the inside of your mouth. This is a slow sipper. It went down easier as it warmed up (and maybe as it warmed me up). Overall, this is an intense beer. The bitterness, heaviness and ABV keeps me from having too many. I'd like to try one that has aged to see if it smooths out a bit.
★ 781 characters
4.43/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Revisited 1 Feb 15
Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, very nice carbonation with a nice one-finger creamy/fizzy med tan head, which leaves some nice sticky lacing and a huge island in the middle of the glass. The nose is malty, with some very nice dark notes (chocolate, toffee, and some coffee), slight vanilla. The taste is very nice, malty, dark stuff. Medium body, with a slight dry finish, ABV is hidden very well for a 9% brew. Overall a very tasty brew, it's been here in UT for a few years, and I'm very glad it is. Highly recommended RIS at a very nice price per 12 oz. bottle.
A - Pours a nice black color, lots of carbonation, small fizzy head which dissapates quickly, not much lacing at all.
S - Scents of roasted malts, and toffee/caramel.
T - The taste is slightly bitter and of roasted malts and caramel.
M - Medium body.
D - Very drinkable. This is a very tasty RIS, North Coast is a very nice brewer.
★ 937 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Revisited 1 Feb 15
Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, very nice carbonation with a nice one-finger creamy/fizzy med tan head, which leaves some nice sticky lacing and a huge island in the middle of the glass. The nose is malty, with some very nice dark notes (chocolate, toffee, and some coffee), slight vanilla. The taste is very nice, malty, dark stuff. Medium body, with a slight dry finish, ABV is hidden very well for a 9% brew. Overall a very tasty brew, it's been here in UT for a few years, and I'm very glad it is. Highly recommended RIS at a very nice price per 12 oz. bottle.
A - Pours a nice black color, lots of carbonation, small fizzy head which dissapates quickly, not much lacing at all.
S - Scents of roasted malts, and toffee/caramel.
T - The taste is slightly bitter and of roasted malts and caramel.
M - Medium body.
D - Very drinkable. This is a very tasty RIS, North Coast is a very nice brewer.
★ 937 characters
4.47/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pretty stinking good RIP. The high alcohol balances well with the complex dark chocolate and coffee flavor. My wife made me let her sip while eating dark chocolate. I tried some too, and it really complemented it well.
A- I saw it poured into a cup, but it was dark outside, and I just had a bottle.
S- sweet, chocolaty coffee smell, molasses, liquorice, hops
T- complex malty chocolate coffee, alcohol peeking through
M- heavy, creamy, bubbly. Takes a while to drink because it's so heavy. Some carbonation.
D- Very good sipper. Shouldn't drink fast. Very well-balanced flavors. Awesome beer.
★ 610 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pretty stinking good RIP. The high alcohol balances well with the complex dark chocolate and coffee flavor. My wife made me let her sip while eating dark chocolate. I tried some too, and it really complemented it well.
A- I saw it poured into a cup, but it was dark outside, and I just had a bottle.
S- sweet, chocolaty coffee smell, molasses, liquorice, hops
T- complex malty chocolate coffee, alcohol peeking through
M- heavy, creamy, bubbly. Takes a while to drink because it's so heavy. Some carbonation.
D- Very good sipper. Shouldn't drink fast. Very well-balanced flavors. Awesome beer.
★ 610 characters
4.5/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Opaque black body. Brown silken head with small bubbles dispersed. Great lace and good retention. Some maply syrup coloring comes through at the edges.
The smell is complex with scent of chocolate, vanilla, sweet malts, licorice, coffee beans and pleasant hops.
Amazing malt and chocolate taste. Mildly toasted vanilla with strong hops. Great aftertaste, some, roasted bittersweet cocoa beans and good hops.
Full and sturdy mouthfeel. Powdery somehow. Some coating and very slick sensation.
A very smooth and enjoyable brew.
-Oelergud
★ 541 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Opaque black body. Brown silken head with small bubbles dispersed. Great lace and good retention. Some maply syrup coloring comes through at the edges.
The smell is complex with scent of chocolate, vanilla, sweet malts, licorice, coffee beans and pleasant hops.
Amazing malt and chocolate taste. Mildly toasted vanilla with strong hops. Great aftertaste, some, roasted bittersweet cocoa beans and good hops.
Full and sturdy mouthfeel. Powdery somehow. Some coating and very slick sensation.
A very smooth and enjoyable brew.
-Oelergud
★ 541 characters
4.08/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
It was difficult for me to figure out the "drinkability" score on this one. On one hand, it's not the kind of beer that I can see myself having every day, as it's a bit on the strong side, flavor-wise. On the other hand, when I'm in the mood for one, it's perfect. That's the trick I guess - being in the mood for one.
That said, this beer almost looks syrupy when you pour it into a glass. You definitely notice a distinct mouthfeel with it, as it's smooth and creamy.
The high alchohol content is not that noticeable, but this is the kind of beer that hits you from your tongue all the way up to the bridge of your nose.
For me, the perfect time for this beer is at night while I'm settling down and watching TV. It usually takes me about an hour to get through, as it's not the sort of thing that I could - or even want to - just pound down.
★ 853 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
It was difficult for me to figure out the "drinkability" score on this one. On one hand, it's not the kind of beer that I can see myself having every day, as it's a bit on the strong side, flavor-wise. On the other hand, when I'm in the mood for one, it's perfect. That's the trick I guess - being in the mood for one.
That said, this beer almost looks syrupy when you pour it into a glass. You definitely notice a distinct mouthfeel with it, as it's smooth and creamy.
The high alchohol content is not that noticeable, but this is the kind of beer that hits you from your tongue all the way up to the bridge of your nose.
For me, the perfect time for this beer is at night while I'm settling down and watching TV. It usually takes me about an hour to get through, as it's not the sort of thing that I could - or even want to - just pound down.
★ 853 characters
4.35/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Now there's a fine beer.
Black, black body. There should be a word that expresses a darker color than black. This would be it. It's topped with a dark tan head, too. The head settles down into a skim but never completely disappears. The smell is dry, bitter bakers chocolate. But sweet, too. An excellent balance. Taste is huge. It all wraps itself up into a beery, chocolaty dream with 9% alcohol. Taste is smooth, but with a bit of alcohol harshness at the very last part of the swallow. This is a fine beer.
★ 511 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Now there's a fine beer.
Black, black body. There should be a word that expresses a darker color than black. This would be it. It's topped with a dark tan head, too. The head settles down into a skim but never completely disappears. The smell is dry, bitter bakers chocolate. But sweet, too. An excellent balance. Taste is huge. It all wraps itself up into a beery, chocolaty dream with 9% alcohol. Taste is smooth, but with a bit of alcohol harshness at the very last part of the swallow. This is a fine beer.
★ 511 characters
3.95/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
apperance-pitch black in color. medium tan head
smell- pungent, mollases, sour smelling...light alcohol
taste- coffee high malt flavor with light hops.
mouthfeel-semi thick low carbonation mouthfeel somewhat creamy
notes- a very strong beer. not something i would make a session beer. a good brew to have every now and then im my opinion.
★ 351 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
apperance-pitch black in color. medium tan head
smell- pungent, mollases, sour smelling...light alcohol
taste- coffee high malt flavor with light hops.
mouthfeel-semi thick low carbonation mouthfeel somewhat creamy
notes- a very strong beer. not something i would make a session beer. a good brew to have every now and then im my opinion.
★ 351 characters
4.41/5 rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm never really sure what to give a beer for its appearance as opposed to what I have seen in the past, but this beer most definitely deserves the top. After its poured there is absolutely no light that passes through it, even when the glass is tilted. Really Impressive. The smell has to be teased out but is mostly like sweet grains and dark malts. The taste is just phenomenal. Its big, but is really well mixed. There is a lot of traditional stout flavor, but lots of chicory on top of it. The mouthfeel and drinkability are both great, again with a big flavor that is really well balanced.
★ 595 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm never really sure what to give a beer for its appearance as opposed to what I have seen in the past, but this beer most definitely deserves the top. After its poured there is absolutely no light that passes through it, even when the glass is tilted. Really Impressive. The smell has to be teased out but is mostly like sweet grains and dark malts. The taste is just phenomenal. Its big, but is really well mixed. There is a lot of traditional stout flavor, but lots of chicory on top of it. The mouthfeel and drinkability are both great, again with a big flavor that is really well balanced.
★ 595 characters
4.92/5 rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
The nose offers plenty of anticipation with prunes, molasses and prunes. Thick mouth. The beginning is smokey, earthy, toasted malts. Bittersweet chocolate notes. A little sharp tartness rounds out the hops balance. Towards the bottom some traces of woodsy oak, port wine, and even cherry come through. This beer I will definitly drink again, and probably North Coast's top beer.
★ 379 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
The nose offers plenty of anticipation with prunes, molasses and prunes. Thick mouth. The beginning is smokey, earthy, toasted malts. Bittersweet chocolate notes. A little sharp tartness rounds out the hops balance. Towards the bottom some traces of woodsy oak, port wine, and even cherry come through. This beer I will definitly drink again, and probably North Coast's top beer.
★ 379 characters
3.65/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer pours a jet black color letting absolutely no light shine through. It boasts a thick brown head that fades surprisingly fast, leaving too few laces.
This beer has a huge malty aroma. It smells of roasted malts. Licorice aroma is present. I smell a huge coffee aroma. Some chocolate is present. I smell a slight hop aroma also.
This beer tastes coffee like. It has a bittersweet chocolate flavor. Hops are present. A slight fig like flavor is also making an appearence. The alcohol is hidden well.
This full bodied beer goes down smooth, leaving a coffee like aftertaste. It is a little too carbonated, but not so much as to detract from the beer.
This beer would probably not make a good session beer. It is high in alcohol, and it tastes quite aggressive.
Overall: Although this beer is good, it is far from my favorite Imperial Stout. The aggressive flavor can sometimes be cloying. I will drink it again, but usually I buy it because of its great availability. It is slightly overrated.
★ 1,014 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer pours a jet black color letting absolutely no light shine through. It boasts a thick brown head that fades surprisingly fast, leaving too few laces.
This beer has a huge malty aroma. It smells of roasted malts. Licorice aroma is present. I smell a huge coffee aroma. Some chocolate is present. I smell a slight hop aroma also.
This beer tastes coffee like. It has a bittersweet chocolate flavor. Hops are present. A slight fig like flavor is also making an appearence. The alcohol is hidden well.
This full bodied beer goes down smooth, leaving a coffee like aftertaste. It is a little too carbonated, but not so much as to detract from the beer.
This beer would probably not make a good session beer. It is high in alcohol, and it tastes quite aggressive.
Overall: Although this beer is good, it is far from my favorite Imperial Stout. The aggressive flavor can sometimes be cloying. I will drink it again, but usually I buy it because of its great availability. It is slightly overrated.
★ 1,014 characters
4.01/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured opaque black with a small brownish head. Small brownish ring remained around the glass for most of the life of the drink.
Predominantly coffee and alcohol aroma with hints of chocolate.
Lovely roasted malt flavor and coffee followed by stong hops. The flavor really lingers for a while after each sip.
Very smooth feel, with just a bit of a burn from the alcohol.
Not as heavy as some imperial stouts I've tried. Very good for sipping. I would probably rate this higher if the hops were a little less apparent.
★ 529 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured opaque black with a small brownish head. Small brownish ring remained around the glass for most of the life of the drink.
Predominantly coffee and alcohol aroma with hints of chocolate.
Lovely roasted malt flavor and coffee followed by stong hops. The flavor really lingers for a while after each sip.
Very smooth feel, with just a bit of a burn from the alcohol.
Not as heavy as some imperial stouts I've tried. Very good for sipping. I would probably rate this higher if the hops were a little less apparent.
★ 529 characters
4.34/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
The pour into my La Moneuse tulip raises a massive, effervescent head, the color of old parchment. Falls pretty quickly to one finger. Very loud bubble popping. The nose is wildly chocolatey, sweet, and full of coffee. Strong notes of alcohol and port come through. Taste is very bitter, but with a sweet finish. Incredible chocolate covered espresso bean aftertaste. Body is massive, the biggest I've had in memory. So incredibly smooth. Pairs very well with some strong chocolate. A very slow sipper, but a joy.
Develops some vinous and milk chocolate notes when paired with chocolate. Interesting. Becomes less bitter and rich.
This has improved so much with a year in the cellar. Fresh, it was abusingly bitter, and, if I remember well, far too hoppy. That has all changed, and I have some more left!
★ 810 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
The pour into my La Moneuse tulip raises a massive, effervescent head, the color of old parchment. Falls pretty quickly to one finger. Very loud bubble popping. The nose is wildly chocolatey, sweet, and full of coffee. Strong notes of alcohol and port come through. Taste is very bitter, but with a sweet finish. Incredible chocolate covered espresso bean aftertaste. Body is massive, the biggest I've had in memory. So incredibly smooth. Pairs very well with some strong chocolate. A very slow sipper, but a joy.
Develops some vinous and milk chocolate notes when paired with chocolate. Interesting. Becomes less bitter and rich.
This has improved so much with a year in the cellar. Fresh, it was abusingly bitter, and, if I remember well, far too hoppy. That has all changed, and I have some more left!
★ 810 characters
4.5/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours out black with a two-finger, mocha colored head. It left a little lacing.
S - It smelled very chocolaty and malty.
T - It tasted of raosted malts and chocolate. It also had a slight bitter coffee-like taste. An interesting contrast between the sweet chocolate flavors and the bitter coffee.
M - Very soft and smooth. It is a heavy beer.
D - It is a very good stout. It is very powerful in terms of ABV, which is a slight drawback. I wanted to have many more but two was my limit.
★ 493 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours out black with a two-finger, mocha colored head. It left a little lacing.
S - It smelled very chocolaty and malty.
T - It tasted of raosted malts and chocolate. It also had a slight bitter coffee-like taste. An interesting contrast between the sweet chocolate flavors and the bitter coffee.
M - Very soft and smooth. It is a heavy beer.
D - It is a very good stout. It is very powerful in terms of ABV, which is a slight drawback. I wanted to have many more but two was my limit.
★ 493 characters
4.85/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A: Pours a dark chocolate/motor oil black. A light coffee colored head quickly dissappears and leaves a light ring and nice lacing.
S: Strong smell of alcohol and chocolate with some hops coming through. Dark chocolate and coffee notes.
T: Heavy chocolate with a slight bitter hop bite and a kick of alcohol but nicely masked. Exceptional coffee and chocolate aftertaste, with spicy pepper.
M: Dry chocolate with a hop and alcohol bite. Exceptionally smooth.
D: For the alcohol content this is very drinkable, and not heavy as would be expected. This is one hell of a damn good beer. I will be getting this again, and as often as possible. I highly reccomend it.
★ 674 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A: Pours a dark chocolate/motor oil black. A light coffee colored head quickly dissappears and leaves a light ring and nice lacing.
S: Strong smell of alcohol and chocolate with some hops coming through. Dark chocolate and coffee notes.
T: Heavy chocolate with a slight bitter hop bite and a kick of alcohol but nicely masked. Exceptional coffee and chocolate aftertaste, with spicy pepper.
M: Dry chocolate with a hop and alcohol bite. Exceptionally smooth.
D: For the alcohol content this is very drinkable, and not heavy as would be expected. This is one hell of a damn good beer. I will be getting this again, and as often as possible. I highly reccomend it.
★ 674 characters
4.68/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours black as night with a dense fine head that is a dark khaki. Really exceptional looking beer.
It has a smell of espresso, dark roasted malt, and bitter hops- really great.
Great long flavor of roasted malt, coffee, followed by a stinging bitterness with a long, long finish.
Mouthfeel is creamy, maybe a little overcarbonated and a little too light in body. The alcohol is very well hidden despite all that.
Very drinkable. I'm a sucker for anything with a long bitter finish and some complexity. If the body were a little heftier, this would be a 5 as well. I've enjoyed this beer for many years in bottles and on tap, and I think its still kickin.
★ 666 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours black as night with a dense fine head that is a dark khaki. Really exceptional looking beer.
It has a smell of espresso, dark roasted malt, and bitter hops- really great.
Great long flavor of roasted malt, coffee, followed by a stinging bitterness with a long, long finish.
Mouthfeel is creamy, maybe a little overcarbonated and a little too light in body. The alcohol is very well hidden despite all that.
Very drinkable. I'm a sucker for anything with a long bitter finish and some complexity. If the body were a little heftier, this would be a 5 as well. I've enjoyed this beer for many years in bottles and on tap, and I think its still kickin.
★ 666 characters
4.23/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint glass. No indication of when this thing was brewed. I got it as a single.
Appearance: Opaque. I hold my glass up to the light and cannot see through. Looks black, maybe a very dark brown. The initial head was less than a finger and quickly dissipated. It looks like there is a fair amount of bubbles coming up, judging by the activity on the surface.
Smell: Chocolate and roasted malts are the overwhelming scent.
Taste: Wow, this is like a kick in the taste buds! You can get a hint of the high alcohol level, but it is really balanced out by the large number of flavors. Roasted malts are probably the strongest flavor, nice and dark roasted malts. Coffee would be next, followed by chocolate. There is almost a sweet aftertaste, maybe the high ABV. You can feel it warm your stomach.
Mouthfeel. Just the right level of carbonation for a RIS, helps present the flavors well.
Drinkability: Maybe not the best thing to try in the middle of August, but this would be great to warm you up in the winter. I think the high ABV would preclude having too many, but there is a lot more here than just high alcohol level. Great beer.
★ 1,179 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint glass. No indication of when this thing was brewed. I got it as a single.
Appearance: Opaque. I hold my glass up to the light and cannot see through. Looks black, maybe a very dark brown. The initial head was less than a finger and quickly dissipated. It looks like there is a fair amount of bubbles coming up, judging by the activity on the surface.
Smell: Chocolate and roasted malts are the overwhelming scent.
Taste: Wow, this is like a kick in the taste buds! You can get a hint of the high alcohol level, but it is really balanced out by the large number of flavors. Roasted malts are probably the strongest flavor, nice and dark roasted malts. Coffee would be next, followed by chocolate. There is almost a sweet aftertaste, maybe the high ABV. You can feel it warm your stomach.
Mouthfeel. Just the right level of carbonation for a RIS, helps present the flavors well.
Drinkability: Maybe not the best thing to try in the middle of August, but this would be great to warm you up in the winter. I think the high ABV would preclude having too many, but there is a lot more here than just high alcohol level. Great beer.
★ 1,179 characters
3.85/5 rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: black with red hues peaking out the bottom and a wimpish head
Smell: Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with a sour note
Taste Dark Chocolate and lots of it.There's probably some spice in there but i can't detect it.
Mouthfeel: thick with some graininess and a some alchohol
Drinkability: I could have about two then my stool would turn completely black.
★ 368 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: black with red hues peaking out the bottom and a wimpish head
Smell: Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with a sour note
Taste Dark Chocolate and lots of it.There's probably some spice in there but i can't detect it.
Mouthfeel: thick with some graininess and a some alchohol
Drinkability: I could have about two then my stool would turn completely black.
★ 368 characters
4.1/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Two fingers of suds on this Russian Stout. Not much lacing but the bubbles stay with the beer quite a while.
I smell chocolate and coffee and some sort of fruit/raisin.
Bittersweet is what I would describe the flavor to be.
It starts out bitter but ends up with a sweet dark toffee flavor.
I love the aftertaste on this one. While not as good as the Stone
it is still a great beer.
I could drink a couple of these at one sitting but wouldn't want to down a case of them.
★ 476 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Two fingers of suds on this Russian Stout. Not much lacing but the bubbles stay with the beer quite a while.
I smell chocolate and coffee and some sort of fruit/raisin.
Bittersweet is what I would describe the flavor to be.
It starts out bitter but ends up with a sweet dark toffee flavor.
I love the aftertaste on this one. While not as good as the Stone
it is still a great beer.
I could drink a couple of these at one sitting but wouldn't want to down a case of them.
★ 476 characters
4.48/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Black as black can be. Stouterific, indeed. One fingered tan head that diminishes to a frothy cap that's thicker around the fringe, clinging to my imperial pint glass.
Ah, the sweet smell of a well-made stout. Sweet, dark chocolate notes intermingled with the pleasant aroma of bitter coffee, alcohol, oak, and cherries (with some medicinal notes as well, hooray!).
Yes, it tastes great also. Bitter and dry, this baby has a whole lot of roasted flavor going on. Coffee, chocolate, and alcohol blend together with other wondrous estery flavors to make a thoroughly delicious beer. Feels good on the tongue and in the back of the throat. Scarily drinkable for such a "thick" beer.
★ 686 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Black as black can be. Stouterific, indeed. One fingered tan head that diminishes to a frothy cap that's thicker around the fringe, clinging to my imperial pint glass.
Ah, the sweet smell of a well-made stout. Sweet, dark chocolate notes intermingled with the pleasant aroma of bitter coffee, alcohol, oak, and cherries (with some medicinal notes as well, hooray!).
Yes, it tastes great also. Bitter and dry, this baby has a whole lot of roasted flavor going on. Coffee, chocolate, and alcohol blend together with other wondrous estery flavors to make a thoroughly delicious beer. Feels good on the tongue and in the back of the throat. Scarily drinkable for such a "thick" beer.
★ 686 characters
3.6/5 rDev -15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
Oh my god, you cant even see through it! Now this is a stout! First taste was like an uber concentrated form of Guinness Extra. Bitter as f$#^! In fact, I felt the effects of the alcohol about three sips into it. Then it hit my yacking mechanism.
I couldn't even finish it halfway. God I feel like a prick. Wasted such a good beer on a drain pour, but it was just undrinkable to the max. Overwhelming flavors topped with alcohol that seemed like there was 5 shots of rum in it. Maybe I'm not ready for a real beer, or the other beers I had earlier in the day maxed out my consumption for the day. I'll start with this next time because it was just beautiful beer. Darkest I've ever seen with a head that filled a hefe glass with just a 12 oz bottle. Suprised that the lacing wasn't that heavy. Very well done on the appearance, but drinkability? Horrid. Don't get me wrong, the taste is awesome in about 200 different ways, but blah! Feels like you have to choke it down, and that makes it completely un-enjoyable.
★ 1,018 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
Oh my god, you cant even see through it! Now this is a stout! First taste was like an uber concentrated form of Guinness Extra. Bitter as f$#^! In fact, I felt the effects of the alcohol about three sips into it. Then it hit my yacking mechanism.
I couldn't even finish it halfway. God I feel like a prick. Wasted such a good beer on a drain pour, but it was just undrinkable to the max. Overwhelming flavors topped with alcohol that seemed like there was 5 shots of rum in it. Maybe I'm not ready for a real beer, or the other beers I had earlier in the day maxed out my consumption for the day. I'll start with this next time because it was just beautiful beer. Darkest I've ever seen with a head that filled a hefe glass with just a 12 oz bottle. Suprised that the lacing wasn't that heavy. Very well done on the appearance, but drinkability? Horrid. Don't get me wrong, the taste is awesome in about 200 different ways, but blah! Feels like you have to choke it down, and that makes it completely un-enjoyable.
★ 1,018 characters
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Co.
4.28
out of 5
based on 11,925 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours dark black with a creamy tan head that sticks all over the glass. Dark roasted malt aroma with a bit of cocoa, coffee and nuts. Taste is smooth with a lot of roasted malt, a bit of bitter chocolate, coffee and hops. There is a seemingly never ending bitterness to the finish. Overall, North Coast really did an excellent job with this RIS and should be commended.
★ 369 characters