By Johan Clerc — Founder, Wines & Spirits SA · Switzerland’s specialist for rare US craft beer
Side Project Brewing has earned a place among the most celebrated American breweries of the modern era. Indeed, RateBeer has ranked it #2 brewery in the world — twice. Moreover, USA Today readers recently voted Side Project #9 on the 10 Best Beer Bars in America. Founded in 2013 by Cory King, this Maplewood, Missouri operation has redefined what a small, uncompromising craft brewery can achieve. Furthermore, every bottle remains 100% barrel-aged, deeply allocated, and almost impossible to find outside St. Louis. In Switzerland, we proudly stock their releases — one of very few European retailers to do so.
USA Today Recognition: A National Confirmation
This recent USA Today recognition only confirms what serious craft beer collectors have known for years. In fact, the St. Louis-area brewery operates three venues in Maplewood: The Brewery, The Cellar, and Side Project Pizza. Initially, USA Today named Side Project among just 20 finalists nationwide. Subsequently, public voting pushed them into the final top 10.
“Being named one of the best beer bars in the country is an incredible honor. Our team puts tremendous care into every aspect of what we do — from our barrel-aging program, to our carefully curated beer list, to the new culinary offerings at Side Project Pizza and The Brewery led by Chef Adam Altnether. It’s rewarding to see that passion recognized on a national level. We’re grateful to the craft beer community that has embraced us, and we look forward to continuing to create unique and memorable beers for everyone who walks through our doors.”
— Cory King, co-owner, Side Project Brewing
The Side Project Story: From Passion to Cult Brewery
In 2013, Cory King launched Side Project as a side venture while still serving as head brewer at Perennial Artisan Ales. Indeed, the name reflected its humble origin — a passion project run alongside his day job. At first, he produced tiny batches of barrel-aged saisons and wild ales for friends and locals. However, demand outpaced production so dramatically within a few years that Side Project soon became his full-time obsession.
Today, the brewery operates from a modest Maplewood facility. Every beer ferments or ages in oak — no production lagers, no flagship IPAs for grocery shelves, no shortcuts. Furthermore, each release goes out through a strict member lottery system. As a result, bottles routinely sell out within minutes. Meanwhile, secondary-market prices climb steadily year after year.
What Makes Side Project Different
Moreover, three principles separate Side Project from virtually every other American craft brewery:
- 100% barrel-aged. Every beer touches oak — no exceptions. Indeed, the range spans saisons aged in wine barrels through to imperial stouts in premium bourbon casks.
- Premium barrel sourcing. Cory King personally selects barrels from Willett, Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace, and Heaven Hill. Consequently, the barrel quality alone places Side Project in a category of one.
- No compromises on volume. Production stays intentionally tiny, even as global demand multiplies. Therefore, finding Side Project outside the United States remains a serious challenge.
The Three Flagship Series Every Collector Should Know
1. Barrel Beer Time (BBT) — The Imperial Stout Series
BBT stands as Side Project’s most celebrated imperial stout program. Indeed, each vintage develops its own signature profile in premium bourbon barrels — depending on the cask and time in oak. To begin, the BBT 2018 remains a benchmark release. Meanwhile, the rarer BBT 2019 deepens that complexity. Moreover, the spectacular BBT Van Winkle 2023 — aged in legendary Pappy Van Winkle barrels — represents the very pinnacle of American imperial stout brewing.
2. Derivation — The Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout Lineage
The Derivation series explores variations on a single theme. Specifically, a foundational bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout receives carefully chosen adjuncts — vanilla, coffee, coconut, or rare cacao. Among them, the Double Barrel Derivation Double Willett Single Vanilla ranks as one of the most coveted American craft beers ever produced. Furthermore, it combines the depth of Willett-aged stout with subtle bourbon-soaked vanilla. Newer releases continue to push the format forward.
3. Anabasis — The American Barleywine Benchmark
Anabasis serves as Side Project’s barleywine flagship. Specifically, it is an English-style barleywine matured in premium bourbon barrels and blended with exceptional patience. Indeed, Anabasis 2020 set the standard. Subsequently, blends like Anabasis Blend 4, 5, and 7 each developed distinctive personalities. As a result, this series established Side Project as a global authority on barrel-aged barleywine.
The Saisons: Where Side Project Began
Before BBT and Derivation made the brewery world-famous, Cory King already produced some of the most refined American saisons of his generation. Specifically, these beers ferment with mixed cultures, age in wine barrels, and often blend with fresh-pressed fruit. Consequently, they showcase a different side of the Side Project portfolio — quieter, more nuanced, and just as collectible. Importantly, the saison series remains a cornerstone of the brewery’s identity. Therefore, Side Project should never be seen as a stout-only operation.
Notable Collaborations
Cory King’s collaborations rival the brewery’s solo releases in fame. In particular, two stand out:
- The Blend — a Toppling Goliath collaboration that married two of the most acclaimed American imperial stout traditions in a single, transcendent bottle.
- Half Acre Generational — a partnership with Chicago’s Half Acre, producing a barrel-aged imperial stout of remarkable complexity.
Naturally, these releases sell out instantly. In Switzerland, the few bottles that reach our cellar represent one of the only opportunities European collectors will ever get to taste them.
Anniversary Releases: The Crown Jewels
Each year, Side Project produces special anniversary bottlings that capture the brewery at that exact moment. Notably, the 10 Year Anniversary Barleywine and the 12 Year Anniversary rank among the most sought-after American craft beer releases of recent years. Furthermore, these bottles age remarkably well in proper cellar conditions. As a result, they have already become serious collector pieces.
Why Side Project Beers Are So Rare
Side Project’s scarcity is not artificial. The brewery operates from a modest Maplewood facility with deliberately limited production capacity. Moreover, most major releases go out via a member lottery system or in person at the brewery. Indeed, no nationwide distribution network exists. As for Europe, formal allocation does not exist at all. Therefore, bottles reach the continent only through specialist retailers who source directly through verified channels.
Importantly, this rarity is not a marketing technique. Rather, it stems directly from the brewery’s refusal to scale at the cost of quality. In fact, Cory King has publicly stated he would rather make less beer better than more beer faster. Consequently, this philosophy has earned the unconditional respect of the global craft beer community.
Side Project in Switzerland — Wines & Spirits SA
At Wines & Spirits SA, we maintain one of Europe’s most consistently stocked selections of Side Project Brewing. Moreover, we source every bottle through verified channels and transport it in temperature-controlled conditions. We then store the bottles in our climate-controlled cellar in Eclépens, Switzerland. From there, we ship across Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany, and worldwide. Furthermore, European shipments leave directly from France — no customs friction for EU customers.
To begin, browse our complete Side Project Brewing collection or explore our wider selection of rare American craft beer. New allocations arrive regularly. However, bottles sell out quickly. As a result, collectors who follow our newsletter typically secure the rarest releases first.
Foire Aux Questions
Where is Side Project Brewing located?
Side Project operates from Maplewood, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Furthermore, the brewery, The Cellar tasting room, and Side Project Pizza all sit within the same area.
Why are Side Project beers so expensive?
Side Project sources premium spirit barrels — Willett, Pappy Van Winkle, Heaven Hill — and produces in tiny volumes. Moreover, the brewery maintains 100% barrel-aging across all releases. Therefore, three factors drive the price: barrel cost, extended aging times of 12 to 24 months, and intentionally limited production. As a result, prices reflect true production economics rather than marketing.
Can Side Project beers be cellared?
Yes — most Side Project releases age remarkably well. In particular, imperial stouts in the BBT and Derivation series develop beautifully over five to ten years. However, proper cellar conditions matter: constant temperature, no light, vertical or horizontal storage depending on closure. Furthermore, saisons and wild ales also evolve gracefully with time.
What is the difference between BBT, Derivation, and Anabasis?
Three distinct profiles define these series. First, BBT (Barrel Beer Time) is an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels. Second, Derivation builds on that base with adjuncts like vanilla, coffee, or coconut. Finally, Anabasis presents an English-style barleywine matured in premium bourbon barrels and blended over time. Therefore, each series targets a distinct style profile.
How can I buy Side Project beer in Europe?
European retail availability remains extremely limited. However, Wines & Spirits SA in Switzerland ranks among the very few European retailers stocking Side Project consistently. Indeed, we offer verified provenance and proper cellar storage. Furthermore, we ship to all EU countries and worldwide.
Is Side Project still ranked #2 brewery in the world?
RateBeer has ranked Side Project #2 brewery in the world twice. Moreover, the brewery remains permanently among the top global breweries in expert and consumer rankings. Indeed, the most recent recognition — USA Today’s 10 Best Beer Bars in America — confirms their continued standing as one of the most respected names in American craft beer.
Final Thoughts
Side Project Brewing represents what becomes possible when craftsmanship trumps scale. Indeed, Cory King has built a brewery that operates entirely on its own terms. Consequently, that approach has earned global recognition, devoted collectors, and a permanent place among the world’s finest craft breweries. For Swiss and European enthusiasts, Wines & Spirits SA remains the most reliable path to securing these exceptional bottles.
For more information, visit the Side Project Brewing website or follow @sideprojectbrew sur les réseaux sociaux.
🎥 Video: Discover Side Project Brewing