Starting off NYE: Old Rasputin XV (North Coast Brewing)
We hit Beer Geeks before the NYE party. We spent last NYE ringing in the new year at Beer Geeks, but decided to ring in 2013 dancing. Couldn't pass up Beer Geeks though.
They tapped this bourbon-barrel release of one of my favorite Russian Imperial Stouts. I have a bottle of this for a special occasion, but didn't mind having it on tap at the local pub. Added perk, they were playing Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon. I almost didn't leave.
General Thoughts
Look and Smell: This black brew had a coffee-colored ring of bubbles for head. It left little wisps of bubbles on the glass. It smelled boozy with sweet scents of caramel and vanilla.
Taste: It was really smooth. It was very chocolaty, but it didn't cling to the tongue. It did have a chocolaty aftertaste, but not sticky. I tasted bourbon-y flavors, caramel with vanilla, but mostly caramel.
From the North Coast site:
Every year we age a special batch of our much-loved Russian Imperial Stout in Bourbon barrels. The depth, intensity, and complexity of the flavor profile of this special release, like its predecessors, make it a worthy tribute to Old Rasputin.
Prior to 2010, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin was released in such limited quantities that it was available only at the North Coast Brewing retail shop in Fort Bragg, California. However, we received so many requests for this beer that we began producing enough Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin to put into broader, but still limited, distribution.
They tapped this bourbon-barrel release of one of my favorite Russian Imperial Stouts. I have a bottle of this for a special occasion, but didn't mind having it on tap at the local pub. Added perk, they were playing Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon. I almost didn't leave.General Thoughts
Look and Smell: This black brew had a coffee-colored ring of bubbles for head. It left little wisps of bubbles on the glass. It smelled boozy with sweet scents of caramel and vanilla.
Taste: It was really smooth. It was very chocolaty, but it didn't cling to the tongue. It did have a chocolaty aftertaste, but not sticky. I tasted bourbon-y flavors, caramel with vanilla, but mostly caramel.
From the North Coast site:
Every year we age a special batch of our much-loved Russian Imperial Stout in Bourbon barrels. The depth, intensity, and complexity of the flavor profile of this special release, like its predecessors, make it a worthy tribute to Old Rasputin.
Prior to 2010, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin was released in such limited quantities that it was available only at the North Coast Brewing retail shop in Fort Bragg, California. However, we received so many requests for this beer that we began producing enough Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin to put into broader, but still limited, distribution.
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