Side Project — Marble Lions

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Marble Lions is a decadent imperial pastry stout inspired by Elvis Presley’s beloved peanut butter and banana sandwich. Built on Side Project’s Horchata base, it pours jet-black with a mocha crown, releasing aromas of roasted peanuts, ripe banana, and dark cocoa. The palate unfolds in lavish layers: creamy peanut butter, caramelized banana chips, Ugandan vanilla bean, and cocoa nibs woven through roasted malt. Lush, dessert-like sweetness is balanced by gentle roast and a velvety, full-bodied finish that lingers with confectionary warmth and chocolate-dipped fruit nuance.

Food Pairing

Pair with a warm flourless chocolate torte topped with caramelized banana and toasted peanuts to mirror the beer’s decadent core. Alternatively, serve alongside a creamy peanut butter cheesecake or banoffee pie, where the vanilla and cocoa notes harmonize with the dessert’s richness while roasted malt cuts through the 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.