Side Project (2018)

Cory does not release on a regular basis as some breweries do. When he releases beer has been determined by several factors in the past:

• Is the beer ready? His barrel-aged beers can be fickle. In some cases a batch might need just 9 months in the vessel, and the very same recipe may need 18 months the nest time.
• Where will he release it? Up to this point, he's done his larger releases at Perennial, and he must work with them to make sure there are no event conflicts, and to make sure they have adequate staff.
• His Schedule. Cory gets asked to attend/pour at several fests/events across the country. He and Karen have a lot going on in their life (including opening a new brewery).

All of these drive the schedules of his release dates. Historically, it's worked out that there have been large releases every 2 months or so, and smaller releases (beer sold onsite at the cellar) sprinkled in those periods. I suspect that not only the location, but the frequency, and amount of beer available will change when the new brewery opens.

C

 

Does SP have anything available to go today? I been looking all over and the website wasn't helpful

 

you want the cellers web site.

Nothing to go today.

 

I had friend who was in town yesterday and the cellar had bottles of Pulling Nails to go. Looks like that's not the case today.

 

http://www.sideprojectbrewing.com/blog/

Zwanze Day should be a great time.

 

So is Derivation 6 really worth $50? That just seems outrageous to me...

 

D5 was and I haven't heard anyone say any of the others weren't worth it. Being it's basically a once in a lifetime type beer, I'd go for it if I were you.

 

What makes it a once in a lifetime type beer (i.e. how is it different than other flavored barrel aged stouts)?

Edit: Just to clarify, not trying to sound like a dick, I don't really know the Derivation backstory

 

Its just a really great beer that is in somewhat limited supply, had it been sold to go it would've probably been $30-40 so $60 is about right on premise. I've seen bars sell Framboos at $90, Fou at $75, etc. Hell, you should see how much Westbrook charges for their "cellar" bottles.

Also, seeing what people supposedly pay for lesser beers in the secondary market I'd say $60 for Derivation is a steal.

 

Short answer...Yes.

Longer answer...I understand some people's initial reaction to any beer that has a large dollar price tag attached to it. You can liken beer to other items on the market that have a wide range of price points. Derivation is definitely in the "luxury" range of beer when it comes to price. I always share Derivation in order lessen the dent in my wallet, and even then it is worth every penny.

Also the way that Cory has been doing Derivation gives a LOT of people the chance to try it, which I totally endorse.

 

What barrels were used for Derivation 6? How long in barrels?

 

I'll just echo what @evilcatfish and @gibgink said. It's a great beer with super limited availability. Unless you live in St Louis, you stand little chance of ever trying it so if you have your once in a lifetime chance, I'd take it. You can almost always find someone at the SP Cellar who will split a bottle with you to less cost.

 

from Untappd, "Blend of imperial stouts that were aged in 8- and 12-year-old bourbon barrels for 16 and 28 months with freshly ground cinnamon, cacao nibs, and Ugandan vanilla beans."

 

That is what is written on the bottle too, heh.

 

If a derivation is available just go and drink it. Dont think about it. Just pull the trigger.

 

I was skeptical at first as well. But derivation is in a class of its own. Super thick oil that is like chocolate pudding. Well balanced ingredients and parts of the blend are already aged over two years. Treat it as a nice bottle of wine.

 

I really like that Side Project has kept Derivation for on site consumption. I will be making the drive from Chicago in the next few months to finally try a bottle.

 

Side Project/Off Color Collab "Fancier Beer" is available TO GO starting today!
1pp for $25

https://twitter.com/SideProjectCell/status/775750226892042240

 

^ Interesting. Wonder why this one went black labels this time.

 

It's "fancier"