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Smell:
Taste:
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Description:
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.
The Old Rasputin brand image is a drawing of Rasputin with a phrase in Russian encircling it—A sincere friend is not born instantly. (Description provided by company)
Brewer:
Beer Style:
ABV:
9.00% ABV
Availability Frequency:
year-round
Containers Available:
bottle
draft
Locations Where Available:
nationwide
Store/Serve Temperature:
close to 60 degrees F
Comments
It's impossible to kill!
Poured like Spinal Tap - blacker than black. A three to four finger tan head formed. It smelled so good. There was a good bit of coffee and chocolate in the smell. When tasting, those aspects were there but joined by raisin, hops, and a bit of tobacco. I really enjoyed licking my lips after each gulp. Improved the warmer it got. Poured it at 55, but will let it warm up to 60 before I pour next time. This is a beer with a big taste and flavors that are nicely complex and support spending time enjoying the taste. I plan on getting this on a regular basis.
Not nearly as menacing as its namesake!
Pours a deep brown to pitch black, with two plus fingers of a light brown head. Strong retention and lacing in the head.
The nose has quite a bit of depth, with aromas from the malt, hops and the alcohol. Roasted malt gives coffee and chocolate roasted flavors, pine needle hops, and a noticeable alcohol aroma.
Despite all the strong flavors in the nose, the taste is quite nicely balanced. The malt flavors heavily emphasize the chocolate and coffee flavors but are not overly bitter. Hop flavors are briefly noticeable, but the alcohol provides most of the bitterness and gives a very quick and dry aftertaste.
Carbonation is relatively low, but body is quite full and smooth feeling in the mouth.
North Coast's Old Rasputin is a great example of how a complex and high ABV beer can still be balanced and not overly aggressive. Definitely one to try!