Imperial Stouts — Samuel Adams vs. North Coast Brewing Co.

Samuel Adams Imperial Stout
ABV 9.2%

Color: Deep dark brown/black.
Aroma: Sweet chocolate malt shake.
Flavor: Slightly bitter chocolate milk.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Malty
Finish: Mostly just sweet with a mild bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Mediocre

North Coast Old Rasputin
Imperial Stout
ABV 9%

Color: Deep dark brown/black.
Aroma: Coffee with cream, burnt wood.
Flavor: Sweet molasses, black coffee and a bit of citrus hop character.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Malty
Finish: Burnt toast, coffee grounds and citrus hops.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good

Winner by unanimous decision: North Coast. Old Rasputin is a tough opponent. It ought to be tough, since it's named after a guy who just wouldn't die. Old Sam was just a bit too one-dimensional. If alcoholic chocolate milk sounds good to you, then give the Samuel Adams a try. It's so sweet that it might match up with sweeter desserts as well. Old Rasputin, on the other hand is wonderfully complex, combining rich roasted malt and coffee flavors with a nice complement of citrusy hops. Drink enough of it and you might be able to grow a beard as impressive as Rasputin's.