Side Project — For The Cellar

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

An opulent imperial stout that pours pitch-black with a deep mahogany crown. The nose unfolds in waves of dark chocolate, toasted oak, and the unmistakable warmth of Cognac, layered with a triumvirate of vanilla beans that lend exotic floral and custard-like depth. The palate is dense and luxurious, weaving roasted malt, molasses, and toffee with notes of macerated raisins, bourbon-like warmth, and lingering oak tannins. Cognac character provides a refined fruity backbone, while the Mexican, Ugandan, and Madagascar vanilla coalesce into a velvety, dessert-like finish of remarkable poise and length.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte topped with crème fraîche to mirror the vanilla and cocoa depth. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged Stilton with toasted walnuts and dried figs, where the salty pungency and sweet fruit echo the beer’s Cognac warmth, raisin notes, and oak-driven 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.