Side Project — Library Chapter 1 (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Library Chapter 1 is a meditative, profoundly layered imperial stout that rewards slow contemplation. Double barrel-aged in bourbon casks before a finishing rest in Mizunara oak with black truffles, it pours jet-black with a creamy mocha crown. Aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla bean, and toasted barrel mingle with exotic Mizunara spice and an earthy, umami whisper of truffle. The palate is decadent and warming, weaving cacao, roasted malt, and bourbon-soaked oak into a silken, full-bodied finish where vanilla, sandalwood, and savory complexity linger long after each sip.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte topped with shaved black truffle to mirror the beer’s earthy, cacao-driven core. Alternatively, serve alongside a seared Wagyu ribeye finished with brown butter and Mizunara-smoked salt, allowing the bourbon, oak, and umami notes to amplify the beef’s richness.

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.