North Coast Old Rasputin 4Pk is a four-pack of the acclaimed Russian Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Co., bottled at 9% ABV. Rated 95 on BeerAdvocate from over 13,000 reviews and a multiple-time gold medalist at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup, Old Rasputin stands as one of the most decorated imperial stouts produced in the United States.Quick Facts: ABV: 9% | IBU: 75 | Origin: Fort Bragg, California | Style: Russian Imperial Stout | Brewery: North Coast Brewing Co.Production & HeritageNorth Coast Brewing Co. operates out of Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast of Northern California. Old Rasputin is brewed in the tradition of 18th-century English brewers who produced strong, high-gravity stouts for export to the court of Russia's Catherine the Great. The grain bill features dark crystal and brown malts that temper the roast and chocolate character, yielding a remarkably smooth body despite 75 IBUs and 9% ABV. This careful malt balance is central to what separates Old Rasputin from more aggressively bitter imperial stouts.Tasting NotesAroma: Rich coffee roast greets the nose first, followed by waves of dark chocolate and a subtle dried-fruit sweetness. Hints of molasses and brown bread round out the bouquet with a faint smoky undertone.Taste: The entry is bold and full, led by bittersweet dark chocolate and espresso. At mid-palate, brown sugar and licorice emerge alongside plum and raisin notes, with herbal hop bitterness keeping the sweetness in check. The peak brings roasted malt depth and a cocoa-dusted richness that coats the palate.Finish: Long and drying, with dark chocolate bitterness lingering alongside subtle smoke and coffee grounds. The velvety mouthfeel persists, leaving a clean roasted character that invites the next sip.How to Drink Old RasputinOld Rasputin is best served at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — in a snifter or tulip glass to concentrate its complex aromatics. Pouring too cold mutes the chocolate and fruit layers. Imperial Stout Float: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in a glass of Old Rasputin creates a decadent dessert pairing where the coffee-roast bitterness cuts through the cream. Black Velvet (variation): A half-and-half pour with dry sparkling cider lightens the body while preserving the chocolate backbone — a twist on the classic champagne stout cocktail. Espresso Stout Cocktail: Combine with a shot of cold espresso and a dash of chocolate bitters for a concentrated after-dinner drink that amplifies the beer's natural coffee character. Best For Cold-weather evenings by the fire when something bold and warming is called for Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates award-winning American stouts Pairing with a multi-course dessert spread featuring chocolate and coffee flavors Building a vertical tasting alongside other top-tier Russian Imperial Stouts Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Old Rasputin taste like? Old Rasputin delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malt, with supporting notes of licorice, plum, and brown sugar. Despite its 75 IBUs, the bitterness is well-integrated and the finish is smooth and drying.How does Old Rasputin compare to Bell's Expedition Stout? Both are benchmark American Russian Imperial Stouts, but Old Rasputin tends toward a smoother, more chocolate-forward profile at 9% ABV, while Bell's Expedition Stout runs higher in alcohol (around 10.5% ABV) and leans into a more aggressive, hop-bitter roast character. Old Rasputin's controlled malt bill gives it a reputation for greater balance and accessibility.Is Old Rasputin good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its layered chocolate, coffee, and dried-fruit complexity reward slow, contemplative sipping at cellar temperature, making it one of the most approachable imperial stouts in the category.Where is Old Rasputin made? Old Rasputin is brewed by North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, California, a small coastal town on the Mendocino Coast. The brewery has been producing this imperial stout since the mid-1990s.What foods pair well with Old Rasputin? Flourless chocolate cake mirrors the beer's cocoa intensity. Blue cheese provides a sharp, salty counterpoint to the roasted sweetness. Smoked brisket echoes the subtle smoke in the finish. Coffee-rubbed short ribs amplify the espresso notes. Dark chocolate truffles create a seamless dessert pairing.What sizes does Old Rasputin come in? Old Rasputin is available in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles, as well as single 12-ounce bottles and draft. North Coast also releases barrel-aged and vintage variants periodically.Is Old Rasputin worth the price? Old Rasputin positions as a premium craft offering within the Russian Imperial Stout category, but its price-per-four-pack remains competitive against comparable imperial stouts — strong value given its multiple gold medals and consistently high critical scores.Why Old Rasputin?Few American imperial stouts carry the competitive pedigree of Old Rasputin, which has earned gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival (1999, 2002), the World Beer Cup (1996), and the World Beer Championships across multiple years including 1996 through 2018. The deliberate use of dark crystal and brown malts to balance roast bitterness gives it a drinkability that belies its 9% ABV — a quality that has kept it at the top of BeerAdvocate rankings for over two decades. In a category crowded with one-off releases and limited editions, Old Rasputin remains a year-round production beer that consistently delivers. It is a benchmark against which other Russian Imperial Stouts are measured.
