Side Project — Derivation 19

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Derivation 19 pours opaque and viscous, releasing aromas of rich chocolate, toasted oak, and warming bourbon. The palate unfolds with layers of dark fruit, vanilla bean, and roasted malt, framed by barrel spice and a whisper of cinnamon. Cory King’s masterful blending shines through, with each barrel contributing nuance: caramelized sugars, subtle coconut, and a lingering hint of maple. The finish is long and contemplative, balancing fudge-like sweetness with oak tannin and gentle bourbon heat. A meticulously composed imperial stout that rewards slow, thoughtful sipping.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte or molten chocolate cake to mirror the beer’s cocoa depth and barrel sweetness. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged blue cheese with candied pecans, where the salty funk and toasted nuttiness amplify the stout’s vanilla, oak, and dark fruit complexity 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.