Side Project — Ritual (2023) Imperial Stout with Hazelnut, Coffee & Vanilla

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Ritual is a decadent collaborative Imperial Stout that pours pitch-black with a dense, mocha-hued head. The aroma erupts with toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate ganache, and freshly pulled espresso, layered over plush vanilla bean. On the palate, roasted malt provides a deep, bittersweet foundation, giving way to silky cocoa, nutty praline, and a creamy sweep of Ugandan and Costa Rican vanilla. Hazelnut coffee adds aromatic depth and gentle roast, while a full body and velvety mouthfeel carry subtle oak whispers and warming richness. The finish is long, dessert-like, and luxuriously balanced.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte topped with toasted hazelnuts to mirror the beer’s cocoa and praline notes. Alternatively, serve alongside an aged gouda or a vanilla bean crème brûlée, where the caramelized sugar and creamy custard amplify Ritual’s vanilla sweetness and roasted depth.

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.