Side Project Named #2 Brewer in the world

RateBeer, the beer ranking and reviewing website, recently named Maplewood’s Side Project Brewing brewery the No. 2 brewer in the world for 2019 (complete list here). The ranking comes from a compilation of more than 4.2 million customer and industry reviews. There were 33,000 brewers worldwide considered for accolades.
RateBeer, which is widely known within the brewing industry, culls its list of winners from a wide range of brewers, it said in a statement. Rate Beer also listed Side Project Merci Blend #3, Side Project Punchdown Pinot Noir, and Shared Barrel-aged Coconut Vibes among the Best Beers in the World for 2019.
In addition, The Side Project Cellar (also located in Maplewood) was named the Best Brewer Tap Room in Missouri for the fifth consecutive year.
“Our winners are big and small, urban and rural, highly specialized or brewing a myriad of styles. RateBeer judges them on equal footing, with many of our reviewers traveling extensively, so it’s not uncommon to see a brewery that some people see as their local gem recognized as a global best. In fact, most of our top 100 winners are smaller breweries,” Joe Tucker, founder of RateBeer, said in a statement.
Side Project, for its part, is ecstatic to make the list, owner Cory King said.
“We’re over the moon. It’s a huge honor,” King said. “Hopefully more local people will find out about us and what we’re doing.” King added that the award belongs to the Side Project staff, who make the brewery welcoming and fun for St. Louis beer aficionados.
The accolade marks a milestone for Side Project. Ten years ago, King and his wife Karen started brewing beer in their Soulard kitchen as a veritable side project. Cory brewed for Perennial Artisan Ales while he developed his wood-aged beers and the pair fleshed out an idea for a brewery… Continue reading