Cease & Desist

This 10.4% ABV Russian Imperial Stout is from the Brouwerij de Molen in Bodegraven, the Netherlands. The beer used to be called "Rasputin" but North Coast Brewing of California, makers of Old Rasputin stout, wanted to protect their name, and sent a "cease and desist" letter. Thus the current name of the beer. Or, as the bottle says, they "thought you were too dumb to tell the two products apart, and threatened to sue us for trademark infringement. Think about this when you're looking for a way to spend your hard-earned beer money."  One should enjoy this beer within 25 years, so I guess it can stand up to some aging.

The beer pours black in appearance, very dark brown on the edges when held to the light, with some floaties apparent. There is a thin, short head of very light brown foam. The aroma is dark roasted malt, but also a bright fruitiness, coffee, dark bitter chocolate, char, and cherries. The taste follows the aromas directly, a nice meld of all the dark roasted notes, meeting the dark cherry notes. The finish is quite dry and fairly bitter. It drinks smooth, with a subtle warming note of alcohol at the end. This is a top notch Russian Imperial Stout.