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Black & Wild 2025

Side Project Brewing
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🌍 United States · Dark Wild Ale · One of 1 Dark Wild Ales in hopIQ

Black & Wild 2025 is a dark wild ale built on the robust nature of intense acidity, where bold Balaton cherries meet a chocolaty malt foundation. The used Willett barrels contribute deep notes of vanilla, spicy charred oak, and cinnamon that unfold across the palate, adding complexity to the wine-like character. At 10% ABV, this is a beer for contemplation after the evening meal—the acidity cuts through warmth, while the dark fruit and oak spice linger in the finish. Serve cool but not cold, to let the layered aromatics emerge.

ABV
10%
Bitterness
Mild
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Dry and crisp.

A direct pour that closes clean — trim and sharp, working together to keep things moving.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Dark Wild Ale.
Malt character
chocolate
Fermentation & yeast
sour
tart
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
spicy
vanilla
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black & Wild 2025

Appearance

Black & Wild 2025 presents a deep garnet-brown hue with opaque clarity, revealing the intensity of its dark malt and cherry character. A modest cream-colored head forms initially, settling into a thin ring with delicate lacing at the glass edges. The body appears full and viscous, suggesting the wine-like structure and elevated alcohol beneath the surface.

deep garnet-brownopaquethin persistent headfull-bodied appearance

Aroma

The nose opens with bright acidity and tart cherry notes that recall aged wine, layered beneath cocoa and dark chocolate undertones. Willett barrel influence emerges gradually—vanilla, charred oak, and cinnamon spice create a warming backdrop. The aromatic profile evolves with aeration, revealing additional depth of dried fruit and toasted grain.

tart dark cherrychocolate, cocoavanilla, cinnamon oakwine-like acidity

Taste

Entry is bold and acidic, with Balaton cherry sharpness cutting through a chocolaty, robust malt foundation. Mid-palate develops layered complexity from ex-Willett barrel aging—spicy oak, vanilla, and cinnamon unfold alongside secondary dark fruit character. The acidity remains purposeful throughout, balancing warmth and richness without becoming harsh or fatiguing.

bright sour cherrycharred oak spicerich chocolate maltstructured acidity

Finish

The finish is lengthy and warming, with dark fruit and oak spice lingering well after swallow. The acidity provides a clean, wine-like tail that prevents the 10% ABV from becoming cloying, encouraging contemplation and sipping.

long spiced finishdark fruit persistencewarming alcohol
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
90
Appearance
82
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Black & Wild 2025

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Black & Wild 2025

About Dark Wild Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dark Wild Ale?

Dark Wild Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dark Wild Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same sour, oak, dark fruit character as Black & Wild 2025 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

WHERE TO BUY

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