Side Project RL Persona 2026 Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

4.7Untappd

RL Persona (2026) pours a deep, impenetrable obsidian with a thin mocha-tinted collar that clings to the glass with restrained persistence — a hallmark of Side Project’s richly oily, full-bodied imperial stouts. On the nose, the double-barrel journey announces itself immediately: waves of dried fruit and cognac brandy lead, followed by delicate pear eau-de-vie, toasted almond, creamy vanilla bean, and a whisper of dark chocolate. The complexity is layered and unhurried, rewarding patience with each pass. On the palate, the mouthfeel is plush and viscous — coating and warming — with a sweetness that never tips into cloying territory.

Flavors of cognac-soaked dried apricot, almond biscotti, vanilla cream, and bittersweet dark chocolate interweave through the mid-palate, with subtle oak tannins providing backbone and structure. The pear brandy finish adds an elegant, almost floral brightness that lifts the otherwise brooding depth of the base beer. The finish is long, warming, and gently drying. A beer of remarkable restraint and complexity, RL Persona rewards cellaring and is best enjoyed slowly in a snifter, ideally shared — a genuine collector’s release from one of America’s most celebrated barrel-aging programs.

Food Pairing

Side Project RL Persona 2026 Imperial Stout pairs magnificently with a dark chocolate and salted caramel tart, where the cognac and pear brandy notes echo the confectionery richness. Equally compelling alongside a charcuterie board featuring aged Comté, candied walnuts, and dried apricots — the almond cookie and vanilla bean character of the beer finding a perfect complement in the nutty, fruity profile of the cheese.