Evil Twin × Side Project — The Great Blend Barrel-Aged Series 56

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Born from an extraordinary cross-brewery alliance, this English Barleywine melds two distinct barrel-aged expressions into one cohesive whole. The Side Project component, rested nearly two and a half years in Willet four-year bourbon barrels, contributes layers of dried fruit, toasted oak, and warm vanilla. The Evil Twin half, aged close to four years in BLiS maple syrup bourbon barrels, adds rich caramel, deep maple sweetness, and a velvety spirit warmth. Together they form a luxuriously complex, slow-sipping barleywine of remarkable depth and balance.

Food Pairing

Pair with an aged, nutty cheese such as a 24-month Comté or Gruyère, whose crystalline richness echoes the beer’s caramel and oak. Alternatively, serve alongside a dark chocolate and salted caramel tart, where bittersweet cocoa and buttery sweetness mirror the maple bourbon barrel character.

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.