Side Project — Double Barrel Derivation DRDV25

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A decadent wheated imperial stout that has spent extended time resting in two successive sets of premium bourbon and rye barrels, emerging profoundly transformed. The nose offers waves of bourbon, vanilla bean, and toasted oak, layered with milk chocolate and a whisper of coconut. The palate is lush and velvety, weaving dark chocolate, leather, and subtle smoky char with rich barrel-derived sweetness. Vanilla and oak tannins frame a finish that lingers with warming bourbon heat, cocoa, and a polished, decadent depth that defines the Derivation series at its most ambitious.

Food Pairing

Pair with a slow-braised short rib glazed in bourbon and dark chocolate reduction, where the beer’s oak and vanilla mirror the dish’s richness. For dessert, try a salted caramel and pecan tart or an aged gouda with toasted walnuts, allowing the stout’s chocolate, leather, and barrel character to shine alongside nutty, buttery sweetness.

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.