Mad Monks and Beer

Twilight Lounge, February 4, 2012

One advantage of hosting BYOB events occasionally at the Twilight Lounge is the beers that get left in my fridge (Thanks Tim!).  So, when I was looking for an afternoon refresher yesterday while making the flatbread for last night’s NID dinner (Moroccan, which meant I got to wear my fez!) I decided to give the Old Rasputin a try.

A product of North Coast Brewing of Ft. Bragg, CA, this is a Russian Imperial Stout.  It’s dark, black color and thick consistency packs a wallop at 9% ABV.  And don’t be fooled (as I was) by the color – this is no Guinness!  In fact, it’s smooth, nutty, mocha flavor gives way to a mildly bitter aftertaste, similar to an IPA to my mouth.  This stout was good on its own and would be great with a thick, juicy burger.  I definitely recommend it!

As for it’s namesake, Rasputin, well, let’s just say that he lived a more colorful life than the stout named for him.  A mystic and clergyman who yielded great influence over Tsar Nicolas II.  During the course of the Russian Revolution he managed to survive a first attempt on his live, but finally succumbed to a group of tsarist loyalists who poisoned, shot and then finally dumped his body in a river – in which he finally died of drowning!

Cheers!