Side Project — Flim Flam (2022)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The 2022 vintage of Flim Flam pours thick and resinous, releasing an opulent bouquet of caramel, toffee, and rich molasses lifted by warm bourbon and toasted oak. The palate is profoundly layered, weaving dark fruit, raisin, and fig compote through ribbons of vanilla bean and charred barrel character. A port-like depth emerges mid-palate, with sticky brown sugar sweetness balanced by gentle bourbon warmth and a whisper of leather. The finish is long and contemplative, echoing oak tannin, candied fruit, and lingering vanilla. A masterful, sipping-strength American barleywine built for slow appreciation.

Food Pairing

Pair with a dense flourless chocolate torte or sticky toffee pudding to mirror the beer’s caramel and dark fruit depths. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Stilton or a robust blue cheese with candied walnuts, where the salty pungency cuts through the bourbon richness and amplifies the barleywine’s port-like complexity.

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.