Side Project — Derivation 21 (2024)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Derivation 21 pours pitch-black with a deep mahogany crown, releasing aromas of rich chocolate, vanilla bean, and warm bourbon-soaked oak. The palate unfolds with layers of dark fruit, roasted malt, and barrel spice, balanced by hints of maple and subtle cinnamon. Time in bourbon barrels lends a velvety texture and a long, oak-laced finish where coconut and toasted vanilla linger. Masterfully blended, this imperial stout exemplifies Cory King’s no-compromise philosophy, delivering decadent depth, refined sweetness, and a contemplative complexity that rewards slow, deliberate sipping.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte to mirror the stout’s cocoa richness and amplify its bourbon-vanilla sweetness. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged blue cheese, such as Stilton, where the salty, pungent funk contrasts beautifully with the beer’s barrel spice, dark fruit, and roasted malt depth.

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.