Side Project — Congo Double Vanilla Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (2025)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A decadent expression of Side Project’s acclaimed single-origin vanilla series, this 2025 release showcases Congo vanilla beans layered into a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. The Congo beans bring a bold, smoky, almost chocolatey vanilla character that melds beautifully with deep bourbon warmth and toasted oak. Expect a luxurious pour delivering dark chocolate, fudge, and roasted malt up front, followed by waves of caramel, coconut shavings, and rich barrel spice. The vanilla lingers long into the finish, balancing sweetness with oak tannin and a gentle whiskey heat that defines this celebrated Maplewood release.

Food Pairing

Pair with a warm flourless chocolate torte topped with vanilla bean ice cream to mirror the beer’s fudge and barrel-aged sweetness. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged blue cheese with candied pecans and dark honey, where the salty funk and nutty caramel notes elevate the stout’s bourbon, oak, and roasted malt complexity.

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.