Revolution Brewing (2022)

Well that was fun.

 

Here’s a fresh topic: How could the Deep Wood Series & releases be better? I have some ideas, but I’d rather hear yours. I’ll hang up and listen…

 

I’ve got a bunch of ideas:

1. Never go back to lining up outdoors in November/December/January after the sun goes down

2. Split the release between brewpub and taproom, with VIPs being able to reserve space/tables at the brewpub on release days

3. Train the beer tenders on what is actually being released that day/week, and have them be able to provide tasting notes. I know they work super hard, and I know turnover is a bear right now, but I have had a non-zero number of times this year where I had to explain what beers were on tap, how they were different, and send beers back when they weren’t poured right.

4. I love the freebies that get put by the door. Hell, I’d even pay a buck or two for can stickers, box stickers, etc.

5. Keep hiding secrets about future releases. I like being “in the know” when I see something new and not publicized put on the chalkboard.

6. I have a Pokémon mentality regarding DW release- gotta catch ‘em all. I was totally blindsided by the Aman’s and Beer Temple releases. Any ability to publicize those?

7. Reach back into history and pull some weirdos out. Triple Fist, Code Switch, that stout with walnut.

8. Deth by Coconut

9. Collab with Smooj

Or just keep it the same. You guys fucking rock.

 

IMO Rev knocks it out of the park in terms of Quality, Price and Packaging. This is why 80-90% of my yearly BA beer purchases are Deep Wood releases. So in this regard I can only say keep doing what you are doing. Add to this the fact that releases are stress-free these days (fair allocations, online ordering, smooth pickups). I do not want to go back to the old days of release lines.

If I had to add anything, I do agree with @GuyFawkes, less ingredients and more beer/barrel/blend releases. I also would love DBVSOD released each DW cycle Another release of Thundertaker too please.

 

Combo/variety packs please!

 

@BeerCruncher Double Barrel Barleywine. Please and thanks.

 

this. A mineshaft gap, 2 year bourbon barrel aged blend barleywine would be interesting. Kane just killed it with this: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26676/586917/?ba=kenjcom

I could taste at least 3 different spirits in the flavor profile.

 

Seconded a solid ba quad.

 

Proxies for VSOJ, ya jerks!!!

; )

I love the surprises the DW series drops every year. And I fully trust the DW program to produce stellar offerings.

One thing that would be really cool to see, Rev made a KILLER BA Eugene with blueberries, many moons ago. I'd love to re-explore that release.

 

I’m going to take this opportunity to plead again for Very Special Old Mineshaft.

As far as logistics go, this year gave us the best of both worlds with attainability (easy online ordering!) and also great release parties. Please don’t change too much here.

If I were to make a selfish wishlist, it would be that one or more of the one offs make their way to the pub since I can walk there. If not, crowler availability for VIPs would be nice. 2 packs would be an interesting option for things I tend not to want as much of, like the fruited/adjuncted variants, basically the stuff that’s now at the $40 price point.

 

Sort of piggybacking off the crowler piece would love to see some smaller batch stuff in cans (even at sub 4pack?).

I’d love to see Uncalled Four come back some day. More blends (especially Flak Jacket since my wife is a huge fan) released in cans would be amazing too

 

The Deep Woods beers and releases are among my favorites anywhere. Logistics have been smooth for years - especially when the sax player graced the line. My only suggestion, and it is less of a quibble and more of an selfish request, would be to structure each release to have a Deth's Tar (or variant), Jacket (or variant), and Ryeway (or variant) to keep the coffers stocked.

As much as I loved the huge crowlers, I understand the format limits the number of people who could try the beer. The 8 oz format for the one-offs - like Temple and Tarry - would be a great way to get some of the smaller batches into the wild.

 

I have no suggestions or opinions on the different beers brewed but please please please keep the online releases for people who don't actually want to wait in a physical line for beer. I have truly appreciated this feature from Rev and some of the other breweries in Chicago. This gives me the ability to try beers I wouldn't normally have consumed pre-pandy. This should be the norm. Thanks for continuing this throughout the last few years.

 

Would the people advocating for keeping the online ordering in place also like a drive through window? This is the time to say so.

I know Rev has a great reputation to uphold for their barrel aged program, but it would be cool to see some of those that wind up as pub one offs packaged to go in a mixed 4 pack similar to what Temperance does with their Might Meet Right flavors. I get it, these probably dont scale to make it worth your while, but then sell them for more. And if they are experimental so you can be forgiven for having a try and failing at a beer that doesn’t meet this typical standard. If you can share those cool barrels or blends in a small batch format to go, that would be fun. This would open the door to do a beer program subscription for you or how about a yearly subscription that included a quarterly tasting of 5+ of these pub type barrel aged one offs? Just throwing out stuff that would be fun for the diehards.

 

I really loved the Zoom calls. I do them for work so I understand that aren’t always the best use of time, especially when there are low (seriously, how was I only 1 of 18 people including Rev folk last week?) numbers. Thanks for giving us a real window into the world. Maybe we can hear the media calls the week or so after they occur once the outlets have had the chance to share their insights and near notes?

What about a revolutionary portal/hub? An organized place to share links to podcasts or interviews that team members have joined. The social media videos and stories are fantastic, but it’s be cool to also have everything all in one spot to find.

I second a separate comment about the free stickers and such, love them. I would pay a buck or so to be able to buy one when I place my order online. ;-)

I understand Covid/crowds/supply makes it easier for deep woods draft variants to be only at the brewery, but I really miss having them at the brew pub. It’s hard to make a trip to the brewery when kids are involved so being able to get these at the pub while making a family outing is great. I recall the variants would hang out longer at the pub due to less traffic. What about holding back a bit and releasing them there after opening weekend or the second week to push the crowds that way too?

 

I was kicking myself on that one, I set a reminder but I somehow didn't realize that registration would be required prior. I was ready to join but at that point it was too late.

 

Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed DW off-season releases last year. The late Spring and Summer releases were so great because they were so unexpected and had some bangers. Hopefully those are coming again this year!

Another vouch for single barrel variants, or even a small blend release of something like Deth or Jacket. I realize that one barrel is a little small, but maybe there's a batch of Heaven Hill barrels that would be a nice blend, for example.

Finally - love the online releases!! As much as I miss seeing the brewers pour samples from pitchers, I really don't miss the cold and having to take PTO to make the 4pm release.

 

fingers crossed for next time.

 

BlueGene was fantastic! Defintley would love to see that again, as well a harder look at barrel aging Eugene.

Defintley stick with the online releases. There are few things I enjoy less than beer lines and it actively turns me off to trying offerings from a brewery.

To expand upon @HouseofWortship, maybe offer 2 packs of the DW beers at the taproom and brewpub. Would be super great to not have to drop $80 to bring home 2 types of beer.