What is Side Project Brewing and who founded it?

Side Project Brewing is a St. Louis-based craft brewery founded in 2015 by friends Greg Fowler, Curt Stitzel, and John Lohmeier. The brewery has earned international recognition for its innovative approach to beer, combining classical brewing traditions with experimental techniques and a focus on quality, sustainability, and collaborative brewing.

Why is Side Project Brewing famous in the craft beer world?

Side Project is renowned for its mastery of farmhouse ales, spontaneous fermentation, and complex barrel-aged beers. The brewery is celebrated for pushing boundaries with unconventional ingredients and partnering with international breweries, creating beers that challenge conventional styles while maintaining exceptional craftsmanship and consistency.

Which Side Project beers are considered iconic releases?

Their flagship Proprietor's is a barrel-aged imperial stout blend highly sought after by collectors. Other notable releases include their farmhouse ales and rotating collaborations. Many of their beers are released in limited batches, making each release a significant event in the craft beer community.

How rare and hard to find are Side Project Brewing beers?

Side Project beers are highly allocated and difficult to obtain globally. Most releases sell out quickly, and the brewery maintains tight production volumes. Secondary market prices often exceed retail significantly, reflecting the demand and scarcity of their portfolio across Europe and beyond.

Where can I buy Side Project Brewing beers in Switzerland?

Side Project releases are available through select premium retailers in Switzerland who specialize in craft and rare beers. Winesandspirits.ch curates a selection of craft brewery offerings including hard-to-find labels. Availability is typically limited, so checking directly with specialty retailers for current stock is recommended.

Side Project Brewing

Side Project Brewing — America’s Most Exclusive Brewery

Side Project Brewing was founded in 2013 by Cory King in Maplewood, St. Louis, Missouri. Furthermore, RateBeer has ranked it the #2 brewery in the world — twice. For collectors of rare craft beer, Side Project needs no introduction.

The brewery operates with a singular philosophy: 100% barrel-aged, mostly barrel-fermented. Moreover, every release is available exclusively through their three St. Louis taprooms. Consequently, finding authentic Side Project beer outside Missouri is nearly impossible.

Where to Buy Side Project Brewing in Europe

Side Project does not distribute internationally. Therefore, European collectors must rely on specialist retailers with verified sourcing networks to access these extraordinary beers.

Wines & Spirits SA is one of the very few retailers in Switzerland and Europe to stock authentic Side Project releases. Every bottle is sourced through verified channels and stored in our climate-controlled cellar in Eclépens, Switzerland. We ship to Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany, and worldwide.

The Most Celebrated Releases

Fût de bière — Side Project’s most iconic barrel-aged stout. Among the most anticipated annual releases in American craft beer.
Maillard — bourbon barrel-aged barleywine of extraordinary depth and complexity.
Anabase — wild ale programme showcasing Cory King’s mastery of fermentation.
Suite — barrel-aged saison with wild yeast character.
Silencieux de canon — limited release barrel-aged series pushing the boundaries of style.

Side Project Brewing St. Louis — The Story

Cory King began Side Project as an extension of his work at Perennial Artisan Ales. Nevertheless, his vision quickly outgrew its origins. He wanted to create beers without commercial constraints — releasing them only when they reached optimal maturity.

The brewery’s Maplewood taproom opened in 2016. In addition, their Cellar & Provisions location offers a more intimate experience with rare bottle releases. Their approach to barrel ageing involves premium wine and spirit barrels alongside unique ingredients.

Today, Side Project is considered by many to be America’s finest barrel-aged brewery. However, their production remains deliberately tiny. Every bottle available at Wines & Spirits SA is a true collector’s piece — authenticated, stored, and shipped with care.