mfreim1212

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Name: Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Brewer: North Coast Brewing Co., Fort Bragg, Calif.

By the numbers: About 270 calories per 12 oz.; 9 percent alcohol by volume; 90 IBUs

Notes: This is a complex and full-flavored stout. North Coast claims it’s in the style that English brewers made to send to the Russian court of Catherine the Great. What that has to do with Rasputin, an adviser to Russian royalty who lived 100 years after Catherine’s death, I have no idea. I guess one famous dead Russian is as good as another. Anyway, Old Rasputin poured a deep black color, with a dark tan head. It gave off a bitter coffee aroma with a rich malt character. The taste was of dark chocolate and coffee, with hints of caramel and toffee. It had a creamy full body and may be the best stout I’ve had to this point. Well done, North Coast.

Try it with: Serious cold. We’re experiencing temperatures in the single digits here in Central Illinois, so now seems like a really good time to explore some dark beer. This one was definitely worth a taste.

    — Posted by Mike Freimann

33 Export

Name: 33 Export

Brewer: VBL Tien Gang Ltd., Vietnam

By the numbers: About 140 calories per 12 oz.; 4.8 percent alcohol by volume

Notes: My general take on most “exports” is that they’re not that great. Basically, what you’re getting is the equivalent of Budweiser from whatever country is doing the exporting. It’s the lowest common denominator of their beer. Or maybe the best-selling, which is basically the same thing. I haven’t been terribly impressed with the few southeast Asian beers I’ve had this year. They come off thin, obviously brewed with rice or other inferior grains and generally not worth your time. This one poured a pale yellow and was highly carbonated. It had little taste and indistinct hops on the finish.

Try it with: Constant avoidance. I passed over this beer many times this year, with the logic that I probably wouldn’t like it any more than I did Asahi way back in January. I was right, but we’re getting to the point where we’re scrapping for beers as the Year in Beer ends.

    — Posted by Mike Freimann

Bob’s ‘47 Oktoberfest

Name: Bob’s ‘47 Oktoberfest

Brewer: Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Mo.

By the numbers: About 175 calories per 12 oz.; 5.8 percent alcohol by volume

Notes: I expected this beer from Boulevard to be a good one and it was. Not great, but certainly a better representative of the classic Oktoberfest style than some I’ve reviewed lately. I really enjoyed Boulevard’s spring seasonal, Boss Tom’s Golden Bock. That one was named after the legendary Kansas City politician Tom Pendergast. This one is named after Bob Werkowitch, a friend of the Boulevard brewers and a graduate of the U.S. Brewer’s Academy, 1947. (On a side note, what are the odds of a brewer having two beers named after a guy named Tom and it’s not the same guy?) Anyway, this one poured a light amber color, with a thick head. It had a malty aroma and a bready, biscuity flavor. The finish was lightly-hopped with noble hops.

Try it with: The actual first day of October, and a weekend wedding. My friends, Jamahl and Kathy are getting married tomorrow. Congratulations to them! (I wonder if there will be beer?)

    — Posted by Mike Freimann