Friday Drankin’: Exploring Independent Brewing with Revolution Brewing

This week we are stepping outside of the state of Indiana. Revolution Brewing is the largest independent brewer in the state of Illinois and has been bringing quality beer to the Chicago area since 2010. They also have a Boilermaker as the Director of Brewery Ops that contacted me this week.

Revolution Brewing

2323 N Milwaukee Ave

Chicago, IL 60647

Joe Boers is a 2007 Purdue alum that was a member of the AAMB drumline for four years. Here is what he had to say about Revolution Brewing:

We're located in the Logan Square area, so not quite Evanston, but it's not too far. If you're interested, consider it a standing invitation if you'd ever like to come check out the brewery, for H&R business or just for fun. We have a large tap room at our production facility so a gathering of Boilermakers is also something that could be a possibility if an opportunity arose.

We just debuted "Cross of Gold," the beer pictured below. For obvious reasons this is going to be my new gameday beer. Hopefully it (and a little help from Coach Brohm) will put the demons of Purdue Football past to rest!

Here is the description for Cross of Gold:

Cross of Gold – 4.8% ABV, 25 IBUs

An easy drinking golden ale for everyone. Brewed to be crisp and refreshing with a bit of wheat malt for body and a delicate hop finish.

William Jennings Bryan delivered one of the most famous political speeches ever at the 1896 Democratic National Convention, in Chicago. The speech was named Cross of Gold, and provided the inspiration for one of Revolution's original beers. Jennings Bryan was a populist, something we craft brewers consider ourselves to be. Cross of Gold was first brewed in Josh Deth's basement by Brewmaster Jim Cibak, in June 2009. Two additional batches followed, to dial in the recipe, before becoming one of the initial beers served at the Revolution Brewpub in 2010. Cross of Gold has since taken home Gold at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. It remains a favorite among our employees, and is a top seller at the Brewpub and Tap Room.

Revolution has a large number of varities with several seasonals and one-off. They are also easily found at many Chicago-area stores such as Binny’s Beverage Depot. One of my favorites was a collaboration they did with Upland, however:

REVved UP Coffee Blonde – 5.6% ABV, 20 IBU

If you want a smooth and tasty coffee blonde this is for you. It has been bottled in the Indy area by Upland and available at their tap rooms in Carmel and broad Ripple. It is a light beer with a smooth, creamy flavor without the coffee being too overpowering. Many coffee beers are dark and heavy, but this is a light one that is drinkable all day.

Here is a look at the other beers available from Revolution. With Purdue playing at Northwestern this year their Tap Room is a must stop.