Side Project — Beer Barrel Time BBT Rye (2020)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

This rye-barrel expression of Beer Barrel Time pours deep mahogany with a fleeting tan crown. The nose unfolds with layered caramel, dark toffee and warm vanilla, framed by the spicy, peppery bite that only rye barrels can impart. On the palate, molasses and brown sugar coat the tongue, giving way to dried dark fruit, oak tannins and a lingering whisper of rye spice. Full-bodied and gently warming, it balances sweetness with a sturdy oak backbone, finishing long with bourbon-like vanilla, charred wood and a touch of fig and date richness.

Food Pairing

Pair with a dry-aged ribeye crusted in cracked black pepper, where the rye spice and oak tannins complement the charred fat. For dessert, try a slice of sticky toffee pudding or aged Stilton drizzled with honey, both echoing the beer’s molasses, vanilla and dark fruit character beautifully.

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.