Side Project — Ambiente (2025)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Ambiente 2025 pours pitch-black and pours like liquid Mexican chocolate, the result of seventeen patient months in Willett OWK Bourbon Barrels. The nose unfolds with Ghana cocoa nibs, Ugandan vanilla, and warm cinnamon, layered over deep roasted malt and bourbon warmth. The palate is decadent and silken, threading dark chocolate and vanilla bean through a slow build of ancho and mulato chile heat. Oak tannins and gentle bourbon spice frame a finish that lingers on cocoa, baking spice, and a whisper of pepper, evoking a steaming mug of authentic Mexican chocolate elevated by world-class barrel character.

Food Pairing

Pair with mole poblano over slow-braised short ribs, where the chile, chocolate, and spice notes mirror the beer’s Mexican chocolate character. For dessert, try a flourless dark chocolate torte with cinnamon crema, allowing the bourbon warmth and vanilla to complement rich cocoa while the chiles add a lingering, gentle heat.

About Side Project Brewing

Side Project Brewing was founded in 2013 in Maplewood, Missouri, as an ambitious extension of Perennial Artisan Ales. Created by brewmaster Cory King, the brewery was conceived as a no-compromise venture dedicated to producing extremely limited quantities of experimental and barrel-aged beers. Side Project operates with a singular philosophy: to push the boundaries of brewing without regard to commercial constraints or production schedules, releasing beers only when they reach optimal maturity and quality.

The brewery has earned international recognition for its exceptional barrel-aged stouts, wild ales, and fruited sour beers, with many releases becoming highly sought after by collectors worldwide. Side Project’s meticulous approach involves extensive barrel aging programs, often utilizing premium wine and spirit barrels, and incorporating unique ingredients to create complex, nuanced flavor profiles. Their small-batch production model and unwavering commitment to quality over quantity have established them as one of the most respected names in American craft brewing. The brewery’s reputation is built on consistently delivering beers of extraordinary depth and character, making their limited releases among the most anticipated in the global beer community.