Brewery Week – Day 1

Side Project Cellar is the self-labelled “Belgian-inspired beer bar” and the first home of Side Project Brewing (they now have a brewery with a tasting room down the street), a small brewery that specializes in barrel-aged beers. The brewery was started in 2013 and has produced a plethora of critically-acclaimed sours, stouts, and other barrel-aged beers.

Side Project Cellar is located in Maplewood around the corner from busy Manchester Road, which creates the feel of a cozy, hidden drinking spot–the “Belgian-inspired” part of the bar could fit the exterior in addition to the interior. Once you step inside, you’ll find a clean but cozy atmosphere with warm paint colors, a variety of wood, and exposed beams. The space is intimate, with cushions along the benches adding a nice touch of comfort.

The drink selection at Side Project Cellar is unparalleled. The bar features a number of their own beers, most of them to enjoy on site. As the name suggests, the bar also features an impressive cellar list of other craft beers, both domestic and international, that have been carefully selected for the cellar. The most difficult part about your visit might just be deciding what to get, as you scan page after page of beers. If you don’t fancy a beer, Side Project Cellar also has a few wines and nice selection of whiskeys.

Side Project Cellar is one of our favorite places to have a beer. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, and the beer selection is excellent. We have yet to have a beer that was not exemplary, whether it be a fruited sour, a stout, or a saison. We highly recommend Side Project.

NB: Some of the on-site bottles are a bit expensive, so if you’d like to try them, we suggest bringing a friend or two to split the cost.