From the Brewery: 

“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.” 9% ABV

Purchased from The Fort in Fresno.

The Pour: 

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into my brandy snifter. The body is solid black. A surprisingly large head is poured, dark tan in color. No carbonation is visible, and medium lacing is left on the glass.

The Nose: 

Rich, darkly roasted malts, coffee, bittersweet dark chocolate, alcohol, and faint black licorice.

The Mouth: 

Medium-thick bodied, with moderate harshness going down. Flavors match the aromas pretty well; dark roasted (almost burnt) coffee, bitter dark cocoa, and some alcohol burn. There is a pretty good level of hop bitterness as it goes down.

Final Thoughts: 

Old Rasputin is a pretty darn good beer. One of the few good Russian Imperial Stouts that offer year-round availability. The flavors are done well, but are a little lighter than the Sierra Nevada Narwhal or Stone IRS.  Definitely a great beer for those easing their way into bigger, bolder, higher ABV beers. 8.5/10.

North Coast Brewing Company – Fort Bragg, California