Side Project — Anabasis Blend 5 (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Blend 5 of Anabasis pours a deep mahogany with a fleeting tan crown, releasing aromas of bourbon-soaked toffee, vanilla bean, and weathered oak. The palate is plush and layered, weaving caramel and dark fig with raisin, leather, and a whisper of pipe tobacco. The English ale fermentation lends a rounded, marmalade-like warmth that frames the American malt backbone, while extended time in Blanton’s and Weller 12yr barrels imparts polished oak tannin, brown sugar, and gentle coconut. Finishes long and contemplative, with lingering bourbon heat, dried cherry, and toasted vanilla.

Food Pairing

Pair with a slow-braised short rib over creamy polenta, where the beer’s bourbon warmth and dark fruit echo the caramelized fond. For dessert, try a salted caramel and pecan tart; the toffee, vanilla, and oak notes harmonize beautifully with buttery nuts and burnt sugar, while the barleywine’s richness stands up to the sweetness.

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.