Side Project — Beer Barrel Time BBT Rye (2024)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

This rye-forward expression of Side Project’s coveted Beer Barrel Time pours deep mahogany and unfolds with layers of caramel, toffee, and brown sugar laced with the spicy, peppery snap of rye. Time in bourbon barrels imparts lush vanilla, charred oak, and a generous pour of warming bourbon, while dark fruit notes of fig, raisin, and plum mingle with molasses and baking spice. The palate is dense and decadent, balancing rich sweetness against rye’s assertive bite. A long, warming finish lingers with oak tannin, vanilla bean, and toasted caramel.

Food Pairing

Pair with a slow-braised short rib over creamy polenta, where the beer’s bourbon and dark fruit notes complement the deep, savory richness. For dessert, try a salted caramel bread pudding or aged Gouda with toasted pecans, allowing the toffee, vanilla, and oak character to echo and elevate every bite.

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.