Side Project — OWK 2023

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

OWK 2023 pours jet-black with a deep mahogany crown, releasing layered aromas of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and an opulent wave of Ugandan vanilla. The palate unfolds with bourbon warmth, oak, and tobacco leaf, woven through notes of espresso and gentle char. Marshmallow softness rounds the midpalate, while the rye barrel influence lends a whisper of spice alongside the Van Winkle’s caramel depth. Each sip reveals further nuance: cocoa nib, charred oak, and a long, velvety finish where vanilla and bourbon linger in graceful harmony. A meditative, world-class barrel-aged stout.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte topped with vanilla bean crème fraîche to mirror the beer’s cocoa and vanilla depth. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged Gouda or a smoked blue cheese, where the bourbon warmth and roasted malt complement the cheese’s caramelized, savory complexity beautifully.

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.