North Coast Brewing Co -- Old Rasputin

North Coast Brewing Co.'s Old Rasputin Imperial Stout is, as far as I can tell, the beer that brought back this style almost lost to history... Like Rasputin, it wouldn't die.

9.0% ABV and solidly hopped at 75 IBU's

Review:

Old Rasputin pours black with a solid tan head. The Head retention is good and lacing occurs throughout your pour. The initial aroma carries highlights of chestnuts, roasted barley, chocolate and a hint of nutmeg covered eggnog. Toward the bottom of the glass, hints of stone fruit begin to emerge. In the category of taste, the progression of flavors starts with a mouth full of creamy barley and is followed by a full roasted malt, lighter roasted malt, dry bite and warm belly--in that order. That initial "creamy barley" flavor is hard to explain-- it is as if the beer is so "beery" that your tongue can't identify any other flavor than beer. Like I said, it is hard to explain. Anyway, the 75 IBU's of bitterness is perfectly balanced in this bruiser of a beer. 75 IBU's would make a respectable, hop forward IPA, but in this beer you don't taste the hops as much as you appreciate their presence in balancing out all of the obvious malt character.

(Side Note: According to my brother, this beer can be mixed with North Coast's Red Seal ale to make a delicious concoction that will hereafter be known as Old REDsputin.)

Overall Impression:
I've had this beer many times in the past. Each time I come back to it, it is like having a reunion with an old friend. You are sure that you like their company, but you can't remember exactly why. But, after some trepidation, you meet up and immediately find that all worries are lost, and the reassuring feeling that some things never change fills your soul... or in this case, your belly.

2275 people have ranked this beer on Beer Advocate. The average score is an A. I have no counter argument.
Go out and try this classic Imperial Stout.

Grade: A

 Barrel Man says,

"The barrel aged 

version of this is 

DELICIOUS!"

(bottle purchased at The Liquor Collection)