Side Project — Beer Barrel Time BBT Rye (2025)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

BBT Rye 2025 pours deep mahogany with a wisp of off-white foam, releasing aromas of caramel, toffee, and warm vanilla lifted by the spicy bite of rye whiskey oak. The palate unfolds with layers of molasses, brown sugar, and dark fruit, plums, figs, and dates, woven through with bourbon-soaked vanilla bean and toasted coconut. Rye-barrel character adds peppery spice and dry oak tannin, balancing the rich malt sweetness. The finish is long and warming, echoing leather, charred sugar, and lingering whiskey heat. A meditative sipper showcasing Cory King’s barrel mastery.

Food Pairing

Pair with a slow-braised short rib glazed in molasses and stone fruit, where the beer’s caramel and dark-fruit depth mirror the dish’s richness. For dessert, try a salted caramel bourbon pecan tart; the toffee, vanilla, and oak notes amplify the pastry’s buttery sweetness while the rye spice cuts through.

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.