Side Project — Silent Barrel 1119

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Drawn still and silent from a single Willett bourbon barrel, Silent Barrel 1119 pours pitch black with viscous, motionless depth. The nose unfolds with bourbon warmth, charred oak, and dark chocolate, layered over molasses and rich toffee. The palate is dense and contemplative, weaving vanilla bean and caramel through waves of roasted malt and bittersweet cocoa. Hints of pipe tobacco and leather emerge mid-sip, while the finish carries lingering barrel heat, oak tannin, and a whisper of dried fruit. Uncarbonated and unhurried, it rewards slow sipping with profound complexity and a velvety, spirit-forward warmth.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte or molasses-glazed bread pudding to mirror the beer’s cocoa and toffee depth. For savory contrast, try aged Gouda alongside bourbon-soaked cherries or a slab of seared Wagyu with smoked sea salt, letting the barrel warmth and roasted malt complement rich, caramelized flavors.

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.