Beer:Barrel:Time (2017)
Side Project Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 15%
- Score:
- 100
- Avg:
- 4.71 | pDev: 5.52%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- From:
- Side Project Brewing
- Missouri, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 77
- Gots
- 20
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
Notes:
Please let us introduce our newest Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, the 2017 release of Side Project Beer : Barrel : Time.
To kick off our first larger Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout release, we wanted to showcase why our brewers first fell in love with this style and the purity of what beer does when aged in our favorite barrels for the amount of time it tells us it needs.
Adjuncts are very popular right now (and we all know Cory loves adjuncts and loves brewing stouts with them!), but we feel as though before we start trying to produce larger batches of our adjunct stouts, we want what may be the first Side Project Barrel-Aged Stout that many of you try to be of its purest form, nothing hiding behind any integrated ingredients. We want the vanilla, the coconut, the chocolates and all of the other lovely flavors found in this style to come from our process, our recipes, our barrels, our blending and our time. Beer : Barrel : Time represents this marriage.
Brian, Tommy and Cory sat down at our barrel warehouse and tasted through more than 50 of our bourbon and whiskey barrels in an attempt to craft the blend of Beer : Barrel : Time. We chose a selection of barrels, a majority from Willett and the rest from Heaven Hill that exemplified what Brian (formerly of Goose Island), Tommy (formerly of Perennial) and Cory believe to epitomize Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout. This barrel stock is the exact same stock that we pull from for the Derivations and all of our stouts. We have brewed eight different recipes now, aged them in a variety of barrels, and then always thoughtfully selected and blended to achieve our goals, whether it be Beer : Barrel : Time, a new blend of Derivation, or the yet-to-be-released Barrel-Aged Coffee Shop Vibes by Shared.
Beer : Barrel : Time is planned to be a yearly release that will happen every Thanksgiving weekend. It will always be no adjunct purity.
To kick off our first larger Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout release, we wanted to showcase why our brewers first fell in love with this style and the purity of what beer does when aged in our favorite barrels for the amount of time it tells us it needs.
Adjuncts are very popular right now (and we all know Cory loves adjuncts and loves brewing stouts with them!), but we feel as though before we start trying to produce larger batches of our adjunct stouts, we want what may be the first Side Project Barrel-Aged Stout that many of you try to be of its purest form, nothing hiding behind any integrated ingredients. We want the vanilla, the coconut, the chocolates and all of the other lovely flavors found in this style to come from our process, our recipes, our barrels, our blending and our time. Beer : Barrel : Time represents this marriage.
Brian, Tommy and Cory sat down at our barrel warehouse and tasted through more than 50 of our bourbon and whiskey barrels in an attempt to craft the blend of Beer : Barrel : Time. We chose a selection of barrels, a majority from Willett and the rest from Heaven Hill that exemplified what Brian (formerly of Goose Island), Tommy (formerly of Perennial) and Cory believe to epitomize Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout. This barrel stock is the exact same stock that we pull from for the Derivations and all of our stouts. We have brewed eight different recipes now, aged them in a variety of barrels, and then always thoughtfully selected and blended to achieve our goals, whether it be Beer : Barrel : Time, a new blend of Derivation, or the yet-to-be-released Barrel-Aged Coffee Shop Vibes by Shared.
Beer : Barrel : Time is planned to be a yearly release that will happen every Thanksgiving weekend. It will always be no adjunct purity.
Reviews: 30
| Ratings: 193
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Sandis from Minnesota
5/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
2017 version poured from a 750ml into a snifter on my driveway on my 50th birthday during social distancing while having Kat Perkins play a 3 song set on the end of my driveway. For me this beer is fabulous. Thick, rich, boozy. Wonderful!
Apr 30, 2020
5/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
2017 version poured from a 750ml into a snifter on my driveway on my 50th birthday during social distancing while having Kat Perkins play a 3 song set on the end of my driveway. For me this beer is fabulous. Thick, rich, boozy. Wonderful!
Apr 30, 2020
Dankacheese from Illinois
4.64/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
B2 - opened 12/24/19
Overrated. I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near the value I traded for. Still a must try and delicious. I will say aroma and appearance are close to perfection.
Dec 26, 2019
4.64/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
B2 - opened 12/24/19
Overrated. I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near the value I traded for. Still a must try and delicious. I will say aroma and appearance are close to perfection.
Dec 26, 2019
Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
poured from a 750mL bottle. pours blacker than oil. stains the glass as the volume of beer in the glass lessens. smell is bourbon first and foremost with some slight chocolate. a touch of smoke but nothing like it was fresh. the barrel on this beer was almost offensive BBT weekend 2017 and while it has certainly calmed down since then, it’s still barrel for days. taste is bourbon soaked chocolate with a slight marshmallowy vanilla. pick up more vanilla as it continues to warm over the course of the pour. feel is thick, full bodied, low carb. i’ve had this beer 6 or 7 times and it’s only gotten beer with each subsequent pour. an exemplary non-adjunct barrel-aged stout.
Nov 26, 2019
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
poured from a 750mL bottle. pours blacker than oil. stains the glass as the volume of beer in the glass lessens. smell is bourbon first and foremost with some slight chocolate. a touch of smoke but nothing like it was fresh. the barrel on this beer was almost offensive BBT weekend 2017 and while it has certainly calmed down since then, it’s still barrel for days. taste is bourbon soaked chocolate with a slight marshmallowy vanilla. pick up more vanilla as it continues to warm over the course of the pour. feel is thick, full bodied, low carb. i’ve had this beer 6 or 7 times and it’s only gotten beer with each subsequent pour. an exemplary non-adjunct barrel-aged stout.
Nov 26, 2019
GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 2. Drank 11/23/19 @ Golgi Apparatus.
Midnight black appearance.
A robust nose of dark chocolate, oak, mild bourbon & hints of burnt caramel.
The flavor followed, this was a spectacular expression of the style. It's reputation is well earned.
Nov 24, 2019
4.5/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 2. Drank 11/23/19 @ Golgi Apparatus.
Midnight black appearance.
A robust nose of dark chocolate, oak, mild bourbon & hints of burnt caramel.
The flavor followed, this was a spectacular expression of the style. It's reputation is well earned.
Nov 24, 2019
stevoj from Idaho
4.34/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle at share. Dark brown pour, kind of flat. Aroma is boozy, roasty, light chocolate. taste follows with silky smooth, chocolate, , overall general sweetness. plenty warm too.
Nov 01, 2019
4.34/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle at share. Dark brown pour, kind of flat. Aroma is boozy, roasty, light chocolate. taste follows with silky smooth, chocolate, , overall general sweetness. plenty warm too.
Nov 01, 2019
RNbeerfan from New York
4.87/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Look:Dark mahogany in color with a tan head. As it pours it appears to be thinner than it is. But great viscosity. Stays on the side of the glass forever
Smell: Fudge and bourbon dominate the nose
Taste: A ton of fudge. Has a nice amount of sweetness, but still has a great backbone of backers chocolate to balance it out. The barrel treatment is perfect as it is present but doesn't overshadow anything else.
Feel: Super thick and lingers for a while. Can't imagine this being done much better.
Overall: One of the best stouts that I have ever had. It is perfectly balanced and super complex without having to add any adjuncts.
May 13, 2019
4.87/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Look:Dark mahogany in color with a tan head. As it pours it appears to be thinner than it is. But great viscosity. Stays on the side of the glass forever
Smell: Fudge and bourbon dominate the nose
Taste: A ton of fudge. Has a nice amount of sweetness, but still has a great backbone of backers chocolate to balance it out. The barrel treatment is perfect as it is present but doesn't overshadow anything else.
Feel: Super thick and lingers for a while. Can't imagine this being done much better.
Overall: One of the best stouts that I have ever had. It is perfectly balanced and super complex without having to add any adjuncts.
May 13, 2019
GreesyFizeek from New York
4.91/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
B1.
This one pours a menacing and dark black color, with a very small head, and a bit of sticky lacing. It really sticks to the glass - this looks like a very, very thick stout.
This smells absurdly delicious - fudge, baker's chocolate, vanilla, burnt brown sugar, light smoke, bourbon, oak, coffee, and pipe tobacco.
This is basically the pinnacle of straight up barrel aged stout, no added flavors, no coffee, no coconut, no vanilla, nothing. Even without those flavors added, you get hints of them. There's lots of barrel, with that soft vanillin/coconut and oak type flavor, and a luxuriously smooth bourbon character. This is 15% ABV, and you would never know this - it's really not boozy at all. I get a ton of deep dark chocolate fudginess, sweet and slightly cocoa bitter as well. There's caramelized brown sugar and tobacco, too, with just a wisp of smokiness. There's a feeling of dark roast coffee, here, too - this is just absurdly complex.
This is thick and just absolutely coats the mouth, but still remains pretty drinkable.
This is probably the best straight up barrel aged stout that I've ever had - no "adjuncts", just dope stout and dope barrel. This is worth chasing down.
May 13, 2019
4.91/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
B1.
This one pours a menacing and dark black color, with a very small head, and a bit of sticky lacing. It really sticks to the glass - this looks like a very, very thick stout.
This smells absurdly delicious - fudge, baker's chocolate, vanilla, burnt brown sugar, light smoke, bourbon, oak, coffee, and pipe tobacco.
This is basically the pinnacle of straight up barrel aged stout, no added flavors, no coffee, no coconut, no vanilla, nothing. Even without those flavors added, you get hints of them. There's lots of barrel, with that soft vanillin/coconut and oak type flavor, and a luxuriously smooth bourbon character. This is 15% ABV, and you would never know this - it's really not boozy at all. I get a ton of deep dark chocolate fudginess, sweet and slightly cocoa bitter as well. There's caramelized brown sugar and tobacco, too, with just a wisp of smokiness. There's a feeling of dark roast coffee, here, too - this is just absurdly complex.
This is thick and just absolutely coats the mouth, but still remains pretty drinkable.
This is probably the best straight up barrel aged stout that I've ever had - no "adjuncts", just dope stout and dope barrel. This is worth chasing down.
May 13, 2019
jbeahler from Delaware
4.78/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I had B1. Split with 4 ppl. Probably about 6oz. An excellent stout without question; roasty and formidable. Coating mouthfeel, and a unique burnt sugar quality. Creme brûlée slightly. Would love to try B2
May 06, 2019
4.78/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I had B1. Split with 4 ppl. Probably about 6oz. An excellent stout without question; roasty and formidable. Coating mouthfeel, and a unique burnt sugar quality. Creme brûlée slightly. Would love to try B2
May 06, 2019
Hopsiam14 from Minnesota
4.33/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I honestly didn't love this beer as much as I had expected. While the appearance and mouthfeel were fantastic, I thought the beer itself tasted overly smokey. It was certainly a beer worth trying, but I'd never advise someone to chase it given what it fetches on the secondary market. Proceed with caution.
Apr 22, 2019
4.33/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I honestly didn't love this beer as much as I had expected. While the appearance and mouthfeel were fantastic, I thought the beer itself tasted overly smokey. It was certainly a beer worth trying, but I'd never advise someone to chase it given what it fetches on the secondary market. Proceed with caution.
Apr 22, 2019
Ivan52 from Iowa
4.88/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
I'm glad I had a chance to obtain this before the value really took off on this. Quite a delight without the adjuncts that are popular these days. Body and barrel were fantastic.
Feb 21, 2019
4.88/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
I'm glad I had a chance to obtain this before the value really took off on this. Quite a delight without the adjuncts that are popular these days. Body and barrel were fantastic.
Feb 21, 2019
troupos40 from New Jersey
4.8/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Batch 1 was boozier than batch 2, batch 2 had some chocolate flavors that batch 1 didn't seem to have, both are excellent, but preference to batch 2. Side by side tasting. B1 = 4.67 B2 = 4.83
Feb 20, 2019
4.8/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Batch 1 was boozier than batch 2, batch 2 had some chocolate flavors that batch 1 didn't seem to have, both are excellent, but preference to batch 2. Side by side tasting. B1 = 4.67 B2 = 4.83
Feb 20, 2019
gibgink from Missouri
4.56/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours of b1 and b2 during the 2nd Anniversary Party at the brewery. Pours like used motor oil with little to no head. Rich and malty on the nose, and the flavor comes across as balanced. Not overly sweet, with enough balance of the barrel and malt for both flavors to present themselves on the palate. I probably would rate these higher, had I not been drinking various Derivations at the same time.
Jan 08, 2019
4.56/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours of b1 and b2 during the 2nd Anniversary Party at the brewery. Pours like used motor oil with little to no head. Rich and malty on the nose, and the flavor comes across as balanced. Not overly sweet, with enough balance of the barrel and malt for both flavors to present themselves on the palate. I probably would rate these higher, had I not been drinking various Derivations at the same time.
Jan 08, 2019
rodmanfor3 from Vermont
4.75/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Chocolate, toffee, and molasses on the palate. Bourbon rich and thick with a well-integrated barrel quality. Overall, a very balanced and well executed barrel aged stout.
Dec 02, 2018
4.75/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Chocolate, toffee, and molasses on the palate. Bourbon rich and thick with a well-integrated barrel quality. Overall, a very balanced and well executed barrel aged stout.
Dec 02, 2018
JapaneseZombie from Washington
4.8/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
BBT B2 - Bottle Pour @ Side Project Brewery 11-25-18
This beer pours like motor oil. The color is jet black. The taste was almost of dark chocolate, bourbon, and the slightest hint of smoke from the barrels. The feel made the beer for me. It was viscous and thick. Surprisingly this was much more complex and overall a tad better then BBT b1 for me. Cheers.
Dec 02, 2018
4.8/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
BBT B2 - Bottle Pour @ Side Project Brewery 11-25-18
This beer pours like motor oil. The color is jet black. The taste was almost of dark chocolate, bourbon, and the slightest hint of smoke from the barrels. The feel made the beer for me. It was viscous and thick. Surprisingly this was much more complex and overall a tad better then BBT b1 for me. Cheers.
Dec 02, 2018
REVZEB from Illinois
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Saved this one for beer #6,000. Great decision on my part if I do say so. This is an incredibly rich and complex stout, with layer of luxurious depth. Fudge, vanilla, molasses, roasted nuts, coffee, oak, caramel, and of course a healthy smattering of bourbon. Smell not as smoky or deep as taste, more focused on chocolate, vanilla, and barrel, but otherwise twins. Body is so textured and varied I can chew on it, even with booze burst at finish. Truly a special beer
Oct 09, 2018
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Saved this one for beer #6,000. Great decision on my part if I do say so. This is an incredibly rich and complex stout, with layer of luxurious depth. Fudge, vanilla, molasses, roasted nuts, coffee, oak, caramel, and of course a healthy smattering of bourbon. Smell not as smoky or deep as taste, more focused on chocolate, vanilla, and barrel, but otherwise twins. Body is so textured and varied I can chew on it, even with booze burst at finish. Truly a special beer
Oct 09, 2018
Zach_Attack from Massachusetts
4.78/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
So awesome to try! Awesome molasses, light tobacco, big malts, a touch of vanilla and roast up front; superb, luscious, chewy body that lingers; creamy flavors with barrel that lasts; a superb sipper.
Sep 27, 2018
4.78/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
So awesome to try! Awesome molasses, light tobacco, big malts, a touch of vanilla and roast up front; superb, luscious, chewy body that lingers; creamy flavors with barrel that lasts; a superb sipper.
Sep 27, 2018
PDXAmbassador from Florida
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Amazing barrel forward stout. Smells like vanilla wafers and charred oak and dark caramel. Baffling complexity combined with sufficient sweetness. And while the booze is currently still fairly intense, I can see this aging beautifully. Mouthfeel was full but as usual is the case in any non-TG beer, I wouldn't have minded a bit more substance there. Altogether of the best barrel aged beers I've ever tasted and perhaps (surprisingly) i enjoyed it even more than any of the Derivations I've had.
Aug 01, 2018
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Amazing barrel forward stout. Smells like vanilla wafers and charred oak and dark caramel. Baffling complexity combined with sufficient sweetness. And while the booze is currently still fairly intense, I can see this aging beautifully. Mouthfeel was full but as usual is the case in any non-TG beer, I wouldn't have minded a bit more substance there. Altogether of the best barrel aged beers I've ever tasted and perhaps (surprisingly) i enjoyed it even more than any of the Derivations I've had.
Aug 01, 2018
narddawg314 from Missouri
5/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This beer is boozy chocolate perfection. Cory nailed the barrel on this recipe and has produced an incredible beer. Thick and fudgy but with restraint. I was able to drink this bottle by myself throughout the evening and didn't regret it.
Jul 09, 2018
5/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This beer is boozy chocolate perfection. Cory nailed the barrel on this recipe and has produced an incredible beer. Thick and fudgy but with restraint. I was able to drink this bottle by myself throughout the evening and didn't regret it.
Jul 09, 2018
Alieniloquium from Florida
3.98/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 mL bottle. Inky black body. Smells of strong whiskey, nutty and oaky character, and almost soy sauce malt aroma. Tastes of fudge and chocolate. Creamy and chocolatey. Whiskey kicks in with strong oak and it dries out with a boozy finish. Aftertaste is just shy of soy sauce again. Heavy and slow to drink. It's very good. I say that begrudgingly.
May 31, 2018
3.98/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 mL bottle. Inky black body. Smells of strong whiskey, nutty and oaky character, and almost soy sauce malt aroma. Tastes of fudge and chocolate. Creamy and chocolatey. Whiskey kicks in with strong oak and it dries out with a boozy finish. Aftertaste is just shy of soy sauce again. Heavy and slow to drink. It's very good. I say that begrudgingly.
May 31, 2018
WickedBeer from Alabama
5/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The 2017 whale in the flesh. The feature of the night’s share.
Pitch black viscous pour. It boasts a dark tan head, with medium lace that decorates the inside of the glass.. preparing for what’s to come.
Dark fruit, boozy, bourbon nose. It’s not overly complex, but it feeds from the important components of the beer: the barrel, the malt, and time itself (to marinate, of course).
Flavors are characterized by a tobacco intro, with a complex balance of subtle dark chocolate, roasty malts throughout, and smooth booze to finish it out. All the while a sweet fudginess sneaks its way into the backbone of this beer’s amazing flavor profile.
Creamy, smooth body. The mouthfeel is thick and viscous, with a nice burn as it goes down. It’s not overwhelming, and for such a big beer it’s predominantly subtle.
May 27, 2018
5/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The 2017 whale in the flesh. The feature of the night’s share.
Pitch black viscous pour. It boasts a dark tan head, with medium lace that decorates the inside of the glass.. preparing for what’s to come.
Dark fruit, boozy, bourbon nose. It’s not overly complex, but it feeds from the important components of the beer: the barrel, the malt, and time itself (to marinate, of course).
Flavors are characterized by a tobacco intro, with a complex balance of subtle dark chocolate, roasty malts throughout, and smooth booze to finish it out. All the while a sweet fudginess sneaks its way into the backbone of this beer’s amazing flavor profile.
Creamy, smooth body. The mouthfeel is thick and viscous, with a nice burn as it goes down. It’s not overwhelming, and for such a big beer it’s predominantly subtle.
May 27, 2018
Sabtos from Ohio
3.5/5 rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
Stark black with a thin, burnt yellowish-tan ring.
Very woody and quite nutty up front, stinging hot bourbon collides with every aspect, bringing with it plenty of waxy oak. There are notes of cocoa, walnut, and smooth dark chocolate, but that bourbon just dominates to a fault.
The body is medium to thin and a bit sticky, and the finish is dry.
This is glaring proof that you CAN age a stout for too long in spirit barrels. Or, perhaps more appropriately, that the hype is not always real. I get that everyone wants to try the shiny new thing, but I'm really glad I got to try this on draft instead of trading away half a cellar of far better beers.
May 24, 2018
3.5/5 rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
Stark black with a thin, burnt yellowish-tan ring.
Very woody and quite nutty up front, stinging hot bourbon collides with every aspect, bringing with it plenty of waxy oak. There are notes of cocoa, walnut, and smooth dark chocolate, but that bourbon just dominates to a fault.
The body is medium to thin and a bit sticky, and the finish is dry.
This is glaring proof that you CAN age a stout for too long in spirit barrels. Or, perhaps more appropriately, that the hype is not always real. I get that everyone wants to try the shiny new thing, but I'm really glad I got to try this on draft instead of trading away half a cellar of far better beers.
May 24, 2018
Stevedore from Wisconsin
4.65/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
750ml bottle of the 2017 release. Served in a Side Project stemmed glass. Pour is a massively dark black body, one finger offwhite head, fair retention and no lacing as expected. Smell is rich. Really rich chocolate fudge, light smoke and bourbon, a lot of wet oak barrel and even a bit of vanillin, cocoa nibs, perhaps a little bit of espresso, sugar. It smells appropriately sweet. Flavour is a revelation; incredibly complex flavour profile of vanillin, oak, chocolate, cocoa, bourbon, slight char and smoke. This hits all the notes and very well it should. It's not particularly boozy, but the bourbon flavours just do so well in integrating with the stout. It's sweet, but doesn't taste sickly sweet. Mouthfeel is full bodied, substantial in body with a nice appropriate carbonation to it that is just enough without being overly prickly or flat. Tons of flavours from the beginning to the end, an easy one to ponder and sip on as it seems to change so much as it warms. There is a lot of hype behind this beer, and deservedly so. This checked off everything I could ever want in a non-adjunct, bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout.
Apr 22, 2018
4.65/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
750ml bottle of the 2017 release. Served in a Side Project stemmed glass. Pour is a massively dark black body, one finger offwhite head, fair retention and no lacing as expected. Smell is rich. Really rich chocolate fudge, light smoke and bourbon, a lot of wet oak barrel and even a bit of vanillin, cocoa nibs, perhaps a little bit of espresso, sugar. It smells appropriately sweet. Flavour is a revelation; incredibly complex flavour profile of vanillin, oak, chocolate, cocoa, bourbon, slight char and smoke. This hits all the notes and very well it should. It's not particularly boozy, but the bourbon flavours just do so well in integrating with the stout. It's sweet, but doesn't taste sickly sweet. Mouthfeel is full bodied, substantial in body with a nice appropriate carbonation to it that is just enough without being overly prickly or flat. Tons of flavours from the beginning to the end, an easy one to ponder and sip on as it seems to change so much as it warms. There is a lot of hype behind this beer, and deservedly so. This checked off everything I could ever want in a non-adjunct, bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout.
Apr 22, 2018
Benish from Wisconsin
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
It poured a super thick and viscous in the glass, pitch black color with very little head. Very little carbonation. The smell is sweet with tons of fudge interlace with bourbon and oak. Not complex by any means but so balance, sweet and rich. The flavor profile is just the same - so much rich chocolate fudge in the mouth balanced out with the warming touch of bourbon. Its sweet with a lot of depth that includes dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, and bourbon; all the things you would dream of in a barrel aged stout. The mouthfeel is thick and rich without much warmth for a 15% ABV beer. Overall: this is a superb beer, well remarkable for its balance of flavors, its depth of flavors and the thickness. Some may say its overrated because its not too different from other easy to obtain stouts. I have to disagree, it is well perfected with its sweetness, balance and the bourbon.
Apr 22, 2018
4.69/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
It poured a super thick and viscous in the glass, pitch black color with very little head. Very little carbonation. The smell is sweet with tons of fudge interlace with bourbon and oak. Not complex by any means but so balance, sweet and rich. The flavor profile is just the same - so much rich chocolate fudge in the mouth balanced out with the warming touch of bourbon. Its sweet with a lot of depth that includes dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, and bourbon; all the things you would dream of in a barrel aged stout. The mouthfeel is thick and rich without much warmth for a 15% ABV beer. Overall: this is a superb beer, well remarkable for its balance of flavors, its depth of flavors and the thickness. Some may say its overrated because its not too different from other easy to obtain stouts. I have to disagree, it is well perfected with its sweetness, balance and the bourbon.
Apr 22, 2018
Futbolmanby from Michigan
4.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Amazing stout but not as good as pappy assassin
Yes done side by side with
Assassin 14,16,18, maman, son of darkness, BBT b1, bcbs rare 10, BCBS rare 15
Apr 04, 2018
4.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Amazing stout but not as good as pappy assassin
Yes done side by side with
Assassin 14,16,18, maman, son of darkness, BBT b1, bcbs rare 10, BCBS rare 15
Apr 04, 2018
rabbott2 from Illinois
4.91/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
drank on 12/27/2017
L-very little, tiny, light tan head on top of a big thick black base...nice lacing but not at the elite level
S/T-following each other, this has it all in the nose and palate...the oak comes through like a fine bourbon....really strong in the best of ways followed up with a strong boozy bourbon right up there with the greats. A baker's chocolate phenomenon following in line with all these great flavors in a complex combination. There's possibly a hint of smoke and maybe some dark fruit or caramel as well. That's getting really deep into this. AMAZING
F-elite. The booze on the nose and taste does not come through in any kind of heat or boozy fashion, just incredible flavors. This is insanely smooth and drinkable for this level of ABV. Thickness is monstrous and so enjoyable, definitely a nice surprise as it comes through thicker than the nitpicking slight on the lacing.
O-not much negative to say on this at all. Truly an elite beer and hopefully I can get a few more down the road. All 4.75/5 ratings for sure and the 4.75s are just because it's becoming harder and harder to give anything a perfect score. SO GREAT
Jan 24, 2018
4.91/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
drank on 12/27/2017
L-very little, tiny, light tan head on top of a big thick black base...nice lacing but not at the elite level
S/T-following each other, this has it all in the nose and palate...the oak comes through like a fine bourbon....really strong in the best of ways followed up with a strong boozy bourbon right up there with the greats. A baker's chocolate phenomenon following in line with all these great flavors in a complex combination. There's possibly a hint of smoke and maybe some dark fruit or caramel as well. That's getting really deep into this. AMAZING
F-elite. The booze on the nose and taste does not come through in any kind of heat or boozy fashion, just incredible flavors. This is insanely smooth and drinkable for this level of ABV. Thickness is monstrous and so enjoyable, definitely a nice surprise as it comes through thicker than the nitpicking slight on the lacing.
O-not much negative to say on this at all. Truly an elite beer and hopefully I can get a few more down the road. All 4.75/5 ratings for sure and the 4.75s are just because it's becoming harder and harder to give anything a perfect score. SO GREAT
Jan 24, 2018
Beer:Barrel:Time (2017) from Side Project Brewing
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
193 ratings
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