North Coast Brewing celebrates their 25th anniversary in 2013 and has done so in collaboration with other “Class of ’88” breweries Deschutes Brewing and Rogue Ales by brewing a collaboration barley wine. But one of the beers that put North Coast on the map was their Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. Named after the Russian Orthodox priest whose debaucheries and poor advice helped to bring down the Romanovs, this Russian Imperial Stout’s dark balance might bring you down as well!
Appearance: Deep black, brown head, great retention.
Aroma: Rich chocolate, raisins, figs, roasted nuts, espresso, alcohol.
Taste: Espresso, bitter chocolate, leather, ash, tobacco, prunes, licorice.
Overall Impression: This beer has a big malt bitter finish. While the beer itself is big, the flavors are subtle, complex, and well blended. If you’re ever wanting an Imperial Stout, this is one of the few that’s available year around and at a great price. If you haven’t tried it, you owe it to yourself to pick one up and if you have tried it, get reacquainted with an old friend.
Availability: Year round where North Coast beers are sold.
9% ABV
12 thoughts on “North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout”
I love this stuff and it is now getting to Vancouver in kegs on a decently regular basis.
Nice! You guys seem to be getting the cream of the west coast brewing crop up there these days!
I think the relatively small population of Metro Vancouver and the persistence of out local distributors has really helped. We are also starting to get more and more European craft beer too! Such as Cantillon.
We hardly get any of that here. I’ve got a friend up there snagging some for me on our regular beer trades.
It seems to be a newer deal bringing it in a few times a year. From what I hear though in Alberta they get even more Cantillon than in BC.
Wow. That seems strange.
What’s the population of say Oregon? In BC and Alberta combined there is only around 8 million people. Then take the percentage drinking high quality craft ale. It’s a small dent in Western Canada. Same reason we get all the special releases from Brooklyn Brewing.
Brooklyn Brewing doesn’t even distribute here in Oregon. Oregon is only around 4 million. Washington is nearly 7 million. I may have to have my friend send me some Brooklyn as well!
Who know then with Oregon although I would venture to say the craft beer population is much bigger in Oregon. We always have the Soratchi Ace, Locals 1 and 2 but also got the black opps and their anniversary lager too.
An amazing Imperial Stout, indeed!
And so cheap and available! Can’t beat that combo.