Happy Hour: The time for fall beer is here

In October, I neatly stash away all my summer gear. Farewell, flip-flops. Goodbye, oscillating fan. Au revoir, session IPAs. It’s getting cold, and it’s time to get serious about drinking fall beer.

You may have already gotten a start by putting down a few pints of Oktoberfest Marzen lager or a porter or two. But nothing gives you the strength to withstand another bitter winter like the raw power that is North Coast Brewing’s Old Rasputin Stout. North Coast has been brewing Old Rasputin since opening in 1988, making it one of my oldest favorites, and a beer with serious credibility.

Thick, roasty, boozy and delicious, Old Rasputin is brewed in the style of Imperial Russian Stouts made by British beermakers supplying Catherine the Great’s court in the 1700s. Pouring a deep, dark chocolate color with a toasty light brown head, Old Raspy has strong-but-cozy aromas of coffee, roasted malts, caramel and faint earthy hops. The flavor is an explosion of sweet dark fruits that quickly gives way to wonderful cacao and molasses flavors that are balanced by a dry finish with hints of tobacco and hops.

A note on serving: I recommend — no I insist — that you drink Old Rasputin at room temperature. The delightful and nuanced flavors of this beer can only be coaxed out at warmer temperatures, and I’d hate for folks to mistake Old Rasputin for all muscle and zero finesse.

Consistently rated among the best stouts, and lousy with gold medals from various beer competitions, Old Rasputin is an old-school craft brew that has stood the test of time (and a fickle, fad-driven market). Add to that a shockingly affordable $10 price tag for a four-pack, and you have a pantry staple that will get you through winter. Cheers!

Jeff Matson is the beer buyer for Wilbur’s Total Beverage.