Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
Rating: 9 out of 10
North Coast Brewing Co. Fort Bragg, CA.
Beer temp. 52.6 F ABV 9%. Used a tall glass so I could watch for a fall.
Pours dark ruby brown but still clear. Nice brown head that holds well and laces sides pretty well. Pronounced molasses aroma with maybe a touch of anise. Taste yields complex flavors of dark chocolate and coffee (maybe espresso) and incredible smoothness. This is a sweet stout with a lingering black licorice flavor and a distinct smokiness. It is complex and deeply satisfying especially as it warms. The flavors cling to the roof of the mouth and the middle of the tongue. It isn't quite as smooth as Young's Oatmeal Stout but the complexity is all hell bent for leather. Started as an 8 and went to a 9 at the end, if it was in a bigger bottle who knows where it would have ended up.
The fact that this is made in the U.S.A. is great. I've had some damn good American pours but this is far and away the best. The folks at North Coast Brewing definitely got something right. A definite tip of the glass to you all. Keep it up. Only wish I could find it locally.
By Dad on
April 6, 2007 @ 7 PM with 0 Comments
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