Remembering a Friend: North Coast Old Rasputin

Seven years ago today my best friend past away.  It was a fluke thing, caught everyone by surprise.   Official report was an enlarged heart.  I can believe it, he had the biggest heart of anyone I knew.  My life changed forever that day.

He was the one who really opened my eyes to craft beer.  Before I had always been fond of Boulevard, but it was something I didn't give much thought to.  Boulevard was better than Bud, that's about as deep as I went.  Then my friend shared a taste of Old Rasputin.

He got it in a trade from someone, probably not knowing that Old Rasputin was available locally.  We didn't know that.  It wasn't something we saw, or even knew to look for.  I only had a couple of tastes, which was generous.  He was after all sharing his only 12 oz bottle.  It blew me away how much flavor was in that small sip.  All the dark roasty warm flavors was an assault on my untrained palate, and I wanted more.

So as I sit here sipping Old Raspy, I reminisce.  This stout is still very good, but never as good as the man who is no longer here.