Side Project — Beer Barrel Time BBT Rye (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

An exceptional rye barrel-aged expression of Side Project’s coveted Beer Barrel Time series, this 2023 release pours decadent and viscous. The rye barrels lend an assertive spice character that interplays beautifully with the barleywine’s foundation of caramel, toffee, and brown sugar sweetness. Layers of vanilla and seasoned oak emerge alongside molasses and dark fruit, while the rye’s peppery warmth cuts through the richness with elegant precision. Notes of dried figs, candied orange peel, and a whisper of leather develop as it warms. Lingering, contemplative, and profoundly warming, this is a sipper built for slow appreciation.

Food Pairing

Pair with aged Gouda or a robust Stilton to complement the caramel and oak depth, allowing the rye spice to mingle with sharp, nutty cheese notes. Alternatively, serve alongside a dark chocolate flourless torte or pecan praline dessert, where the molasses and vanilla character harmonize with toasted nuts and bittersweet cocoa.

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.