Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - Beer Review

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Beer geeks get out your snifters. The Better Beer Authority tastes Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from the North Coast Brewing Company.

Partial Transcript:
"On Tap -- Old Rasputin

Hi, I'm James Knott and today we are talking about Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from the North Coast Brewing Company. North Coast started as a local brewpub in Fort Bragg, California in 1988. They now have beers in 47 states, Europe and the Pacific Rim.

Old Rasputin is an Imperial Stout with 9 percent ABV and 75 IBUs. The company describes it as a "rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish."

Historically, Stouts and Porters are closely related. A Stout Porter was once considered to be a high ABV dark porter and eventually the name was shortened to just stout.

Stouts are made with roasted malt. Several types of Stout include Irish Dry Stouts like Guinness, Imperial Stouts like Old Rasputin, Milk Stouts which contain lactose sugar, Oatmeal stouts where oats add to the smooth, creamy mouthfeel, and Coffee Stouts which use dark roasted malt and sometimes ground coffee to add a coffee flavor to the beer.

Q&A

Old Rasputin gets a (???) on the BBA Scale. This is a great beer for cellaring. Let us know if you've aged this beer or any other Imperial Stouts in the comment section. We'd like to know how they changed over time. Thanks for watching. I'm James Knott and this is your Better Beer Authority."

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

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• Rasputin
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• Imperial
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• coast
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• Bragg
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• lactose
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• aroma
• mouthfeel
• head
• grainbill

[PatriotsComing]

A rating of 4 on this stout demonstrates an abysmally uneducated palate. Sorry to be that gruff, but your credibility has vanished.

[AgileHProductions]

@PatriotsComing I'm not disagreeing with you, but I hope you will check out some of our newer episodes to see how far we've come.

[GianniStunato]

@AgileHProductions Even for me as a stout lover, having tried this during the holiday, I was floored by the taste!

[AgileHProductions]

@GianniStunato In a good way right? I've bought this several times since and really enjoy it.

[smith37s]

Had my first Old Rasputin tonight at the gastropub. If your an espresso drinker like me this is right in your wheelhouse. Intense coffee and chocolate aroma and taste, noticed as it warmed up I do get a tiny bit of the dark fruit character aroma (raisins) it is definitely dominated by the coffee/chocolate. To me the alcohol is there but not overly noticeable. Bitterness/roasted notes balance out the sweet well and you definitely got a roasted grain component. Gotta be a 8 or 9 out of 10 for me.

[AgileHProductions]

@smith37s I've had this several times since we reviewed it and really enjoyed it.

[sleepercell]

I'm sorry, but your man Joby needs to seriously check himself. When I had the opportunity to try Old Rasputin for the first time, I found it to be one of the greatest stouts I had ever had the privilege to drink. Rating it as a 4 is a straight up INSULT. I nearly fell out of my chair in laughter when I heard his review of it, simply because his review is so backwards. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but it's honestly, for the style it's a damn good beer and deserves more than a 4.

[AgileHProductions]

@taylorzack78 If you had five of them and didn't feel anything then you might have a problem.

[ricibiribicci]

(maybe with a russian picture on the bottle)

[ricibiribicci]

there is not an english russian imperial now produced?

'cause this is american, but i want a true english imperial stout!

[RocketMan8911]

@PatriotsComing

I have to agree with you. I would give this beer an 11. It is an amazing beer with a complexity and balance that is hard to match. If you want to see them really degrade a beer watch their review of Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing.

[GianniStunato]

@AgileHProductions Oh yes in the BEST way! Amazing experience! Oh and I was going to say, I hope you guys can review Italian craft beers too! I do not know their availability but they are popping up in unexpected places!