Side Project — Triple Barrel Anabasis (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Triple Barrel Anabasis is an opulent, deeply layered American Barleywine showcasing the rewards of extended bourbon barrel aging. The pour reveals waves of toffee and dark caramel intertwined with rich bourbon, soft vanilla, and toasted oak pulled forward by tertiary barrel time. An English ale warmth carries notes of fig, raisin, and stewed dark fruit, while subtle leather and cocoa add gravitas. Each sip unfolds with a velvety, almost dessert-like fullness, the spirit-forward character beautifully integrated through patient blending. A contemplative, slow-sipping barleywine of remarkable depth and balance.

Food Pairing

Pair with a wedge of aged Stilton or Gorgonzola alongside dried figs and toasted walnuts, where the cheese’s salty bite complements the beer’s bourbon-soaked dark fruit. Alternatively, enjoy with a sticky toffee pudding or pecan tart, letting the caramel, vanilla, and oak echo the dessert’s richness for a luxurious 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.