Side Project — MJK 2024 Barleywine (2024)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A monumental American Barleywine that pours deep mahogany with a whisper of tan foam. The nose unfolds in waves of toffee, dark caramel, and rich bourbon, layered with vanilla bean, charred oak, and worn leather. On the palate, decadent fig and raisin meld with sticky molasses, brown sugar, and dried dark fruit, while the English ale strain lends a refined estery warmth reminiscent of classic barleywine character. Bourbon-soaked oak coats the finish with vanilla, soft tannin, and lingering sweetness, balanced by a gentle ethanol heat that smolders rather than burns.

Food Pairing

Pair with a slab of aged blue cheese such as Stilton or Roquefort, where salty pungency cuts the malt sweetness and complements dark fruit notes. Equally rewarding alongside a sticky toffee pudding or pecan praline tart, echoing the beer’s caramel, vanilla, and bourbon-soaked oak character for a luxurious dessert finish.

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.