Revolution Brewing (2020)

Got to admit it's a little underwhelming, not sure what I expected and I have no doubts it will be good.

Edit: I will say Half Acre's BA baltic porter from I think 2 years ago was incredible

 

16 oz cans. Wasn’t immediately obvious from the post but they confirmed in the comments this is the last deep woods mystery collab.

 

dammit 16 oz cans means 25% worse hangover. I’m going to buy some anyway

 

This could have been 4oz plastic jars of Gruit, and I 100% would have bought it.

 

Was really hoping this was gonna be called Deth Hugs.

 

And Part Two will be released by Half Acre. So probably some adjuncts thrown in there for theirs. Also, glad that rumor proved to be true.

 

Welp, if this collab is anything like Thundertaker, I'll be a very happy camper.

 

14% ABV pint cans, time for all my training to pay off.

 

Normally not big on cherry stouts, but pulled the trigger at binnys tonight after all of the glowing reviews. I’ll crack one tomorrow.

 

I'll argue that Thundertaker was not a "true" collaboration beer, since Binny's only provided the barrels. I look forward to hearing how they brewed this beer, as well as Part 2 - a BA Barleywine brewed at Half Acre to be released there in 2021. (see article below)

Revolution and Half Acre team up on 1st beer, with another to follow

By JOSH NOEL, CHICAGO TRIBUNE | DEC 15, 2020 AT 3:33 PM

Two elder statesmen of Chicago beer are finally getting together — twice.

Revolution Brewing and Half Acre Beer Co., arguably the two most influential breweries of Chicago’s modern brewing age, are collaborating on their first beers, both of which will be aged in Willett bourbon barrels.

First up will be On & On: Part 1, an imperial porter brewed at Revolution. The beer will be released in January as part of the brewery’s Deep Wood series of barrel-aged beers.

In 2021, Half Acre will release On & On: Part 2, a barrel-aged barleywine.

Gabriel Magliaro, who started Half Acre in 2007, and Josh Deth, who launched Revolution in 2010, first met when Deth owned vegetarian Wicker Park restaurant Handlebar. Magliaro walked in one day trying to sell Deth on the idea of pouring his beer, which was made under contract at the time in Wisconsin.

Deth chose not to serve that earliest iteration of Half Acre beer at Handlebar.

“I wasn’t a huge fan of contract-brewed beer then (or now) and their first few beers pale in comparison with Daisy Cutter and everything else they are known for now,” Deth said.

However, Deth said, Magliaro’s pitch “definitely stuck with me” and he “was inspired by his going door to door to launch the brand.”

Within a few years, Deth started Revolution and Magliaro built a Half Acre brewery on Lincoln Avenue, and the two operations became two of Chicago’s most ascendant breweries. But aside from a group collaboration or two, the breweries hadn’t worked together. They instead grew into competitors in an ever-more-crowded beer market.

With the On & On beers, they finally team up.

“Our two breweries walked a lot of the same roads to get here,” Deth said by email. “Taking the time to brew a matched set of barrel-aged beers is a great way to solidify a decade-long friendship.”

On & On: Part 1 will be on sale on Revolution’s website Jan. 19 and available for pickup later that week. When On & On: Part 2 is available is “up to the beer at this point,” Magliaro said.

Magliaro said the collaboration came about simply because “it was the right time.”

“Unity, in any form, is a great thing these days,” he said by email. “Feeling aligned, and to share a respect, with one of our largest competitive forces, is business and creativity at its best.”

He said he has long admired Revolution’s barrel-aged beers.

“Rev’s barrel beers are incredible,” he said. “So much depth in their results and class in their process. Coming together to make barrel beers feels like a great co-acknowledgement of time and effort in the same world.”

 

@BeerCruncher Could you elaborate on what the collaborative part of these beers are? Seems like with collabs one brewery typically comes over to brew at another. I have no idea when a beer, or two in this case, is considered a collaboration vs brewing two beers at their respective breweries and selling and/or barreling them there? For example, did they give you guys a porter recipe and you give them a barleywine (notionally Straight Jacket) recipe? I've always found collabs interesting as far as who brings what to the table and how that contribution changes how a beer is brewed, aged sometimes, packaged, and sold. Thanks!

 

So the guy who blew the surprise for us in here multiple times wants inside info now? A collaboration where we just hand each other recipes wouldn't be much of a collaboration and wouldn't get us very excited. These are all new recipes that were developed in tandem, with for starters, the use of rye and Willet barrels in common.

 

Will he be fined enough Rev Rewards points to put him in the negative and if so, does that mean he has to sit in his car curbside for twice as long?

 

Cracked open a Ryeway to Heaven today. Didn’t think one of my highest rated beers could improve, but I believe this is the best version. Wouldn’t trade it for all the tea in China, or Fulton. Definitely picking up more after Christmas.

Planning to try the first 2020 VSOD side by side with another can from 2018. Somewhat intimidated to attempt this.

 

Yes - RYEWAY! But my budget!?!?
I have promised myself I will not buy from Binny's with their $3 markup, and getting to Rev may be problematic for awhile. So half-hoping they sell-out before I can get there in January. LOL...

I know you meant DBVSOD and I wish I kept one from the last release on 1/12/18!!
VSOD was released previously on 12/13/19 and 12/8/17, and I am ashamed I'm such a beer nerd that I have kept track of that... CHEERS!

 

Yes, want to pick up their HA collaboration, A Little Crazy and more Ryeway in January during my one planned Winter beer run. I have 230 refrigerator beers to work through, and also at least 100 in the cellar though those will take a year or two.

Do they make SB VSOD? You are correct, my one DBVSOD was canned 11/28/17. I also have three 2018 VSOJs and a couple 2018 Boss Ryeways.

Sometimes hoarding great beer works out.

 

After tasting Destroyed By the Empire, I'm really looking forward to next year's crowler, Hit In The Face With a Barrel.

(Seriously though, I hope they've got another barrel lying in wait, this is a delight.)

 

Rev went 3-for-3 with 3 HRs on this release. Jesus.

 

Haven't tried Ryeway yet, but can confirm two long balls for sure. Looking forward to the third.