Old Rasputin

Brewer: North Coast Brewing Co.
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 9%
IBU: 75
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle poured into an English pub glass

I've done this beer before, but it's such a mainstay that it's worth a rereview from time to time. But first a little background.

From the brewer:

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.

A beer brewed in London for export to Moscow had to endure a long, largely over land voyage through potentially sub-zero temperatures. This meant a higher hopping rate (hops act as a preservative, lengthening the shelf-life of the beer), and a higher alcohol content to prevent freezing. The hops, in my mind, is what makes it a "Russian" Imperial Stout, as opposed to just a plain old imperial stout, or any number of aged or double, barreled or bourboned versions.

Now, on to the review.

I have a rule. If I have to spend more than 30 seconds trying to decide if something is black, or just a really dark brown, it's black. This is a jet black beer, no light is getting through. A rocky, latte colored head occupies a full third of the glass before settling down to a persistant finger with some light, sticky lace. There's a little bit of piney/earthy hop aroma up front, but that's quickly overpowered by darker smells as the beer comes to temp. Definitely some coffee, like a nice, dark roast, with notes of vanilla and chocolate to boot.

The taste is chocolate malt and licorice, with dark coffee behind, bitter and maybe just a little burnt. That bitterness does have a hop contribution, and tends to linger. In the mouthfeel, this beer is silky smooth and lightly carbonated to perfection. Goes down with just a slight warming in the throat and chest, but otherwise betrays no hint of alcohol. Very easy drinker.

This is a very easy beer to recommend. Big and bold, with lots of complexity and just the right touch of hops to balance it all out. All this for two bucks a bottle, and brewed year-round. A steal!

My score: 4.5/5
Beer Advocate: 95/100
Rate Beer: 100/100
Pintley: 4.2/5