North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout: Day 7 of my Advent Calendar exchange with my father, featuring North Coast’s Russian Imperial Stout which is brewed at a strength of 9% abv. This beer pays homage to the 18th century Russian Imperial Stouts brewed for Catherine the Great as a means of trade between Britain and Russia.
Aroma and Appearance: It pours a dark reddish brown colour with two fingers of foam and zero carbonation. The aroma is cocoa, dark coffee beans, toasted caramel, hints of black licorice and spicy herbal hops.
Flavour: Well toasted bread, coffee, caramel up front with hints of black licorice and a general creamy texture in the middle followed by toasted marshmallow, dry bitter cocoa and herbal bitterness on the finish.
Overall Impression: Very good intro to Russian Imperial Stouts, lots of flavours and doesn’t cost too much.
Rating: Excellent, solid example of an 8/10 beer.
Food Pairing: These go well with chocolate; rich chocolate like truffles or quality Belgian chocolate would be a good choice.
I think this beer deserves to be paired with one of the catchiest songs of our time. Interestingly enough in what is one of the creepiest coincidences ever, the lead singer died of heart failure (in in the same city) not far away from exactly where the famous Rasputin is said to have died.
West Coast Beer Geek 
Love the song and love the idea of a Father/Son Advent
Love, love, love this beer. I was even lucky enough to try the barrel aged version at one of the Alibi Room tap list nights.
Nice, I’ll keep my eye out for the barrel version, I think that would be a nice addition
They do bottle it but it doesn’t make it to Canada. I don’t think the kegs have made it this way often Either.