Side Project Brewing’s Marble Lions just brought home a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival — and if you’ve tasted it, you’re probably not surprised. This Missouri Imperial Stout, finished on peanuts, Thai banana nibs, banana chips, Ugandan vanilla beans, and cocoa nibs, is a decadent dessert beer that Elvis himself might have toasted with a “thank you very much.”
A Beer Fit for the King
The name Marble Lions nods to the two iconic statues guarding Elvis Presley’s Graceland, where his favorite sandwich — peanut butter and banana — became legend. Head brewer Cory King says the beer was inspired by that flavor combo, but elevated with the precision and restraint that define Side Project’s approach.
“I had never loved a peanut butter beer until Rich, one of our brewers, taught us how to do it really, really well,” King said in a recent video. “This one’s got peanuts, bananas, and vanilla — and together, they just work. The vanilla is like salt and pepper for us; it softens and ties everything together.”
The Science of Sweetness
Marble Lions uses Side Project’s Horchata base recipe, fermented and lagered for smoothness before those rich adjuncts are layered in. (And if you’re wondering what “adjunct” means: it’s simply any non-malt ingredient — like fruit, sugar, or nuts — that adds fermentable sugars and flavor. In the craft world, adjuncts aren’t shortcuts — they’re tools of creativity.)
That’s exactly how Side Project treats them. Over a decade of experimenting with adjuncts in their stouts and saisons taught the team how to balance intensity with nuance. As King puts it, “We’re pushing adjuncts in a direction we haven’t before — without always needing the barrel to make it special.”
From Barrel Room to Big Stage
Winning gold in the Dessert or Pastry Stout category is no small feat. These beers are judged for their luxurious malt character, full body, and seamless integration of culinary ingredients. Think “liquid dessert,” but crafted with technical precision.
Side Project’s win not only honors their team’s craftsmanship — it also puts St. Louis squarely back in the spotlight as one of the country’s most inventive beer cities.
Why You Should Try It
If you love your stouts bold, sweet, and silky, this one’s your next must-sip. Marble Lions isn’t just a peanut-butter-and-banana stout — it’s a love letter to flavor balance. Each pour feels like a spoonful of nostalgia and innovation combined.
Grab it when you can — availability is limited, and like all Side Project beers, it’s best enjoyed fresh (or cellared if you’ve got the patience).
Beer Specs
Beer Name: Marble Lions
Brewery: Side Project Brewing (Maplewood, MO)
Style: Missouri Imperial Stout / Dessert Stout
ABV: 12%
Key Ingredients: Peanuts, Thai banana nibs, banana chips, Ugandan vanilla beans, cocoa nibs
Availability: Limited release, draft and bottles at the brewery
| RELATED: Side Project Brewing Unveils “For Friends” Beer to Support Childhood Cancer Awareness
