Double Barrel Anabasis 2020
Side Project Brewing


- From:
- Side Project Brewing
- Missouri, United States
- Style:
- American Barleywine
- ABV:
- 14%
- Score:
- 96
- Avg:
- 4.69 | pDev: 5.33%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 4
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Nov 05, 2023
- Added:
- Aug 03, 2020
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 3
Double Barrel Anabasis started with exemplary barrels from what you know of as Anabasis Blend 4. While pulling nails, I chose a couple of my favorite barrels from the Blend 4 candidates and decided to finish them in freshly dumped Willett Bourbon barrels. The reason was to produce a fresh, bold barrel character layered over the aged maturity of our favorite barleywine. The result is barrel and spirit driven, with a surprisingly youthful feel and expression of our beloved Anabasis.
After almost 3 years from brewday, we hope that you enjoy this very limited expression of Double Barrel Anabasis 2020, and we hope to maybe one day recreate this bold English/American barleywine experience for you.
After almost 3 years from brewday, we hope that you enjoy this very limited expression of Double Barrel Anabasis 2020, and we hope to maybe one day recreate this bold English/American barleywine experience for you.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by WickedBeer from Alabama
4.89/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.89/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
HUGE notes of raisin and bourbon. As stated by many, this one’s hot. But that said, the viscosity is perfect and the complexity with temp is outstanding. Time will develop this really nicely. Regardless, a beautiful beer already.
Feb 13, 2022Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
4.46/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.46/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Opaque dark mahogany brown but for a thin, clear acorn red edge, under a fine tan ring.
Enjoying this more than the b3 bottle I'd had last year, it's less splintery or ashy and more cohesive.
The nose is a little more hoppy than I expected, and thus a bit more American in that regard, with a touch of orange peel and resin even, but there's also plenty molasses and Werther's, with the added bonus of some vanilla developing as it warms.
Viscous but a little less thick than I remember b3, which does it some favors, leaving room to unveil dark salted caramel that pairs well with bitter charred oak, coming to a warming Raisinets exhale after a just dry finish that's only slightly sticky on the lips, where it emulates a touch of smoked maple.
Apr 20, 2021Enjoying this more than the b3 bottle I'd had last year, it's less splintery or ashy and more cohesive.
The nose is a little more hoppy than I expected, and thus a bit more American in that regard, with a touch of orange peel and resin even, but there's also plenty molasses and Werther's, with the added bonus of some vanilla developing as it warms.
Viscous but a little less thick than I remember b3, which does it some favors, leaving room to unveil dark salted caramel that pairs well with bitter charred oak, coming to a warming Raisinets exhale after a just dry finish that's only slightly sticky on the lips, where it emulates a touch of smoked maple.
Rated by OWK from Missouri
5/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Probably the best barleywine ever made.
Mar 02, 2021Reviewed by brian4beer from Indiana
4.3/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.3/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Smells of raisins, figs, and molasses. Very sweet up front w strong boozy finish (a bit overly so imo). Mouthfeel is very nice leaving a thick viscous coating. Solid SP offering.
Nov 29, 2020Reviewed by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois
4.65/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
poured from a 750mL bottle into a mini teku taster glass. pours a murky brown with virtually no head. a few bubbles here and there. strong, strong (i mean medicinal strong) whiskey aroma with caramel, toffee, prunes, a bit of chocolate as an afterthought smell after the barrels. in short: it’s a barrel(s) showcase and nothing much more. similar in taste - tons of barrel from start to finish along with the usual Anabasis flavors of prunes, raisins, toffee, caramel and chocolate. thick mouthfeel, of course, but that barrel sting on the finish though. i get that this is supposed to be an amped up Anabasis but to me you’re messing with near perfection there and while the barrels come through it’s almost a distraction from an already incredible barleywine. i enjoyed it but i would take the 3-4 ‘regular’ Anabasis you could get for this one bottle.
Aug 30, 2020
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!