hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Old Rasputin

Tap to rate

Roast and black coffee lead, with cherry and burnt black licorice behind, ashy notes and a long, dry finish with a warming glow. 9% ABV, 75 IBU. It follows the 18th-century English brewers who supplied Catherine the Great's court in Russia; a Russian phrase rings Rasputin on the label: a sincere friend is not born instantly. Gold at the 1996 World Beer Cup, 1999 and 2002 GABF.

ABV
9%
Bitterness
Very bitter75 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper

AWARDS

Gold · 1996
World Beer Cup
Imperial Stout
Gold · 1999
Great American Beer Festival
Imperial Stout
Bronze · 2001
Great American Beer Festival
Imperial Stout
Gold · 2002
Great American Beer Festival
Imperial Stout
★Gold — World Beer Cup (Imperial Stout)
★Gold — Great American Beer Festival (Imperial Stout)
★Bronze — Great American Beer Festival (Imperial Stout)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedcoffeedark fruit
roasted
coffee
dark fruit
smoky
chocolate
Aroma
Roasted malt and black coffee dominate the nose, with sharp, ashy undertones that suggest a long kilning time.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Old Rasputin

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown color with an opaque body and minimal light transmission. A dense, tan head forms with solid retention and leaves distinct lacing on the glass. Carbonation appears moderate, suggesting a structured pour and careful conditioning.

opaque black-browndense tan headpersistent lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

Roasted malt and black coffee dominate the nose, with sharp, ashy undertones that suggest a long kilning time. Secondary notes of cherry and burnt licorice emerge beneath, along with a faint peppery hop presence that adds complexity without softening the roasted character.

roasted maltblack coffeeburnt licoriceashy spice

◐ Taste

Entry is full and bitter, with roasted grain and espresso flavors grounding the palate. Mid-palate reveals dark cherry and cocoa depth, while the 75 IBU bitterness sustains without harshness. The dry profile intensifies toward swallow, leaving little sweetness to cushion the assertive roast.

assertive roastcoffee-forwarddry and bitterdark cherry, cocoa

◑ Finish

Long and drying, with lingering coffee and ashy notes that persist on the palate. A warming, boozy glow emerges from the 9% ABV, providing comfort rather than alcohol burn.

long, dry finishwarming alcoholpersistent coffee ash
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
87
Appearance
84
Finish
86
Serve at 13–16°C

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Can be cellared 2–5 years. Develops dark fruit, leather and port-like complexity with age.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Old Rasputin

More from North Coast Brewing Company

Acme Beer
Acme Beer
American Lager
4.4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Blue Star
Blue Star
American Wheat Ale
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Brother Thelonious
Brother Thelonious
Belgian Strong Dark
9.4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Chill Rasputin Stout
Chill Rasputin Stout
Stout
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Foggy Day IPA
Foggy Day IPA
Hazy IPA
6.6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Laguna Baja
Laguna Baja
Vienna Lager
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Le Merle
Le Merle
Saison
7.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Old No. 38
Old No. 38
Dry Stout
5.4%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

About Russian Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Russian Imperial Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Russian Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, dry, coffee character as Old Rasputin will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →Explore all Russian Imperial Stout beers in hopIQ →New to Russian Imperial Stout? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →