Side Project — With Tarpey Blended

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A monumental collaboration blend that pours opaque and viscous, releasing a heady bouquet of bourbon, toasted oak, and layered vanilla from three distinct origins. The palate unfolds with dark chocolate and roasted malt depth from the Imperial Stout component, while the Barleywine portion contributes caramel, toffee, fig, and pecan richness. Barrel character from MJK, OWK, Vibes, and Horchata casks weaves bourbon warmth through every sip, with vanilla beans rounding the finish into silken sweetness. Barleywine warmth lingers, balanced by oak tannin and a long, contemplative finish.

Food Pairing

Pair with a dense flourless chocolate torte topped with vanilla bean crème anglaise to mirror the beer’s cocoa and vanilla layers. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Gouda with toasted pecans and dried figs, where the cheese’s nutty caramel notes complement the barleywine’s toffee depth and bourbon barrel warmth.

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.