Derivation Blend #2 (Ugandan Vanilla Bean)
Side Project Brewing

Derivation Blend #2 (Ugandan Vanilla Bean)Derivation Blend #2 (Ugandan Vanilla Bean)
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From:
Side Project Brewing
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
15%
Score:
100
Avg:
4.79 | pDev: 5.22%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
81
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 01, 2023
Added:
Apr 19, 2015
Wants:
  209
Gots:
  5
Derivation is our series of Barrel-Aged Imperial Stouts in which we brew several recipes, age them in a variety of barrels and blend them before bottling to add depth and structure to this massive style of beer.

Blend #2
50% Wheated Imperial Stout aged in a Weller Antique Wheated Bourbon Barrel with Ugandan Vanilla Beans
50% Wheated Imperial Stout aged in a Weller Reserve Wheated Bourbon Barrel with Ugandan Vanilla Beans
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Kramerbarthomer:
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Reviewed by Kramerbarthomer from Colorado

4.84/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sweet sweet vanilla bean. Creamy, rich, massive mouthfeel. This beer was outstanding, had it side by side with a '13 VBDL and it was on par. One of the better stouts I've had.
Aug 13, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.37 by kjkinsey from Texas

Oct 01, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Feb 07, 2022
 
Rated: 5 by Ziosa from Missouri

May 06, 2020
Photo of JapaneseZombie
Reviewed by JapaneseZombie from Washington

4.94/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Id first like to state that I don't rate all derivations high. I thought D10 was awful and didn't care for D8. So in no way am I trying to hype this beer nor will I probably ever try it again.

With that being said...

This was by far the best BA vanilla stout I've had in my life. It made '14 VR taste like fake vanilla extract. The vanilla beans used in this beer were so unique. The mouthfeel was thick and viscous with notes of bourbon, wood, and dark chocolate. Not overly boozy, smooth and delicate yet thick AF. The "Ugandan" vanilla beans made this beer. I know they are expensive, but more breweries should look into using these over Madagascar and other varieties.
May 12, 2019
 
Rated: 4.93 by YvesB from Belgium

Feb 04, 2019
 
Rated: 4.81 by Futbolmanby from Michigan

Apr 04, 2018
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Reviewed by gibgink from Missouri

5/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Yet another Derivation I never thought I'd actually try. Poured during SP Brewery 1 year Anniversary celebration. This one is how I like my vanilla. On the palate, but not dominating. Probably not worth the secondary price of admission, but since I didn't pay that(or for this bottle for that matter), was fantastic.
Dec 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.35 by Rifugium from North Dakota

Nov 15, 2017
 
Rated: 5 by t2grogan from Arizona

Jun 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4.8 by PSU_Mike from Pennsylvania

Feb 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.84 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Feb 08, 2017
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Reviewed by Fux from France

4.95/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Had the entire set from Derivation 1 to 6 plus Double Barrel at the Tasting to Sink all Sea Shepherds at St-Gilles Moeder Lambic cellar. Thanks Anton for this one and thanks Cory for letting this full horizontal become reality.
A: Pours exactly the same as the other Derivations, that is to say pitch black with some dark lacings on top.
S: Smell of vanilla, marshmallow and marzipan. Exceptional balance, amazing vanilla bomb. The most balance vanilla stout I've ever had. I love it very much!
T: This beer is a vanilla bomb in the taste also. Very deep and balanced with the same mix of flavors as perceived from the nose: vanilla, marzipan, chocolate, etc. Awesome.
M: Smooth and chewy, less sticky than the other Derivations, which makes this actually more slayable! The sweetness isn't cloying at all there, it just enhances the multiples layers of flavors this beer has into it. Alcohol is not detectable.
O: I dare to say it's the best vanilla beer I've had so far, even better than Brandy Vanilla Dark Lord, 2010 Vanilla Vourbon County or yellow wax Assassin. Superb beer!
Oct 16, 2016
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Rated by Ivan52 from Iowa

5/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The whole spectum of senses and flavors work inperfect cohesion. Best beer I've ever had to this day.
Oct 12, 2016
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Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

4.49/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
side project is really setting the standard right now. some of the best beers in the country are being done by these guys across an impressive range of styles. i loved this beer, top to bottom. tons of fresh vanilla bean aroma and flavor, goes amazing with the wheated whiskey (i have long thought weller to be better whiskey than many of its more expensive counterparts), and a real cool base beer with a ton of black booze depth. i love how forward the vanilla is without it being too sweet, thats the usual pitfall in beers like this, especially this strong. the wheat in the base beer is not irrelevant, hardly lost to the dark malts, instead propping them up, bringing out more of their nuance, and providing enough body for all this flavor to cling to. its really boozy, definitely a slow sipper, the alcohol is fusel and hot here, and the oak doesnt mellow it out quite as well as i expected it to, but this is 15% abv, pretty gnarly. in the end though, this is one of the better whiskey barrel and vanilla bean concoctions i have ever had, and although i dont like this quite as much as the blend 1 (maple syrup barrels), it stands as one of the best examples of this style that exists today. very lucky to have been able to drink a number of these special side project beers recently in the same session. this is enormous beer and enormously flavorful, obviously buy it if you can find it for sale.
Jul 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by 22Blue from Kansas

Jun 21, 2016
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Reviewed by WI-Beer-Man from Wisconsin

4.94/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This was a WOW beer. Syrupy thick. Coats your glass and mouth. Smells amazing. Sweet vanilla on the nose and palate. The thickness and flavor really puts this on the next level.
May 23, 2016
 
Rated: 4.61 by Chris-1911 from Illinois

Apr 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.73 by enelson from Illinois

Apr 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.68 by mrpeterandthepuffers from Minnesota

Apr 06, 2016
Derivation Blend #2 (Ugandan Vanilla Bean) from Side Project Brewing
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 81 ratings