M.J.K. is one of Side Project Brewing’s rarest and most revered beers, created as a tribute to a friend of the brewery. This is a highly complex barrel-aged imperial stout, matured first in bourbon barrels and then further aged in wine barrels, resulting in a deeply layered and expressive flavor profile.
The beer pours thick and pitch black, with a minimal head and an intense nose of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, bourbon vanilla, leather, tobacco, dried fruit, and vinous undertones. The taste is bold and rounded, full-bodied and warm, with an ABV around 15% that’s exceptionally well integrated.
The dual-barrel aging contributes elegance and complexity, making every sip a journey. The finish is long, dry, and tannic, with lingering notes of cherry and red wine.
Producer
Side Project Brewing is an American craft brewery based in Saint Louis (Maplewood, Missouri), run by Cory and Karen King. The brewery is renowned for its premium, complex beers fermented in oak barrels, using wild yeasts and spontaneous processes that give each release a rustic and unpredictable character.
Their philosophy relies heavily on local ingredients - such as fruit and native microorganisms - to create unique saison and wild ale styles with a strong sense of terroir. In addition, Side Project experiments with aging in bourbon and other spirit barrels, crafting intensely powerful stouts and barleywines that combine strength and depth with exceptional balance and elegance.
Their work is defined by technical precision, innovation, and dedication to artisanal principles, making them one of the most respected and influential breweries in the world of spontaneous and barrel-aged beers.
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Best Beers
- Best in United States of America
- Best in the World