Side Project — Anabasis 10 Year Anniversary (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A celebratory 10-year anniversary expression of Side Project’s flagship American Barleywine, pouring deep mahogany with a fleeting tan crown. The nose unfurls layers of toffee, dark caramel, and rich bourbon, supported by sweet vanilla and toasted oak drawn from extended time in premium barrels. The palate is dense and contemplative, weaving fig, raisin, and dark fruit preserves with hints of leather and pipe tobacco. The English ale fermentation lends a warming, almost vinous depth, while gentle oxidative complexity sharpens the finish. Bourbon warmth lingers alongside oak tannin, vanilla bean, and dried-fruit sweetness in a long, meditative close.

Food Pairing

Pair with a grilled bone-in ribeye finished in brown butter, where charred fat and Maillard crust echo the beer’s toffee and bourbon depth. For dessert, try a salted caramel pecan tart or aged Stilton drizzled with fig jam, allowing vanilla, oak, and dark fruit notes to harmonize with rich, savory-sweet contrasts.

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.