Side Project — DM Blend 2 (2022) Bourbon & Rye

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

DM Blend 2 is a decadent marriage of Side Project’s Derivation and Medianoche programs, pouring jet-black with a velvety, full-bodied presence. The nose unfolds layers of rich chocolate, toasted coconut, and Mexican vanilla beans, framed by warm bourbon and a whisper of rye spice. On the palate, deeply roasted malt meets sweet vanilla custard, shredded coconut, and oak-driven tannins, with Weller 12yr lending honeyed sweetness and Rittenhouse adding peppery complexity. Long, lush, and dessert-like, it finishes with bourbon warmth, charred oak, and lingering cocoa — an unapologetically opulent expression of Cory King’s barrel craft.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte topped with toasted coconut shavings to mirror the beer’s vanilla and cacao depth. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged Gouda or a coconut-crusted bread pudding drizzled with bourbon caramel, allowing the oak, rye spice, and sweet richness to harmonize 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.