Deeper Into the Wood
Introducing the 2019–2020 Deep Wood Series
Back in January, when the final Boss Ryeway four-pack was sold, the Sanctuary kegs were kicked, and our line staging area became a driveway again, we put an exclamation point on another Deep Wood season of barrel-aged beer releases. The Rev Brew Crew always feels a lot of things right after the last release– tired, grateful, kind of thirsty. But the big one this year was excited, because we were already thinking about how to top this past year’s lineup.
“My favorite way to talk about the Deep Wood Series is always, to borrow a phrase, ‘Wait ‘til next year,’’ Barrel Program Lead Marty Scott said. “The Deep Wood Series is planned out extensively given the aging time we need, so we’re always sitting on a bunch of new beers and exciting ideas that we really can’t wait to tell people about.”
We are absolutely thrilled to tell you that next year, once again, is here. These releases are events to themselves, but they’re not the culmination of an entire series so much as the next evolution in a barrel program that’s ever in pursuit of perfection.
In 2017, we were excited to tell you all about our barrel-aged cans, and why we thought they were the right vessel for our most precious beers. In 2018, the story was revealing the biggest release season yet, with a tremendously diverse lineup. This year, it’s all about the small things – these vintage releases are the culmination of our commitment to big, strong barrel-aged beers, brewed with confidence and blended with a purpose.
If you’re a longtime Revolution fan, some of your favorites are back and refreshed for a new batch. If you’re one of the beer fans forever in search of something new and interesting, there’s the immortal power of plums, Calvados-aged barleywine, and a cuvée of seven different beers that harmonizes like an unholy choir.
October 18-19 Releases
Deth's Tar
Our original barrel-aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout, with a velvety smooth texture and rich chocolate profile. It’s a big, bold stout specifically designed to go toe-to-toe with the barrels and come out stronger on the other side. This harbinger of doom picks up coconut, vanilla, and caramel from a year spent waiting
Café Deth
Freshly roasted whole-bean coffee from our favorite local roasters gives a different perspective on Deth’s Tar that is assertive without the specter of coffee overload. Our specialized extraction process yields the most vibrant flavors and aromatics possible. Pairs great with a warm, comfortable chair, and even better with food.
Deth by Plums
As written in mythology, immortals feasted upon plums to replenish their strength and vitality across the ages. We don’t know about all that, but they sure taste nice in our Barrel-aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout, Deth’s Tar. Tastefully sweet, subtly tart, and totally awesome, this riff on our flagship Deep Wood beer deftly combines flavors of dark stone fruit with those of a roasty, matured malt structure. Enjoy now or store cold.
November 15 RELEASES
STRAIGHT JACKET
Our original award-winning Barleywine Ale–made with American and Belgian malts and forged over 12 months in bourbon barrels. Open one and dig into layers of stone fruit, molasses, and vanilla. All the rich decadence of crème brûlée without the exhausting need to actually make pudding and take a blowtorch to it. This is the Barleywine for the people.
V.S.O.R. (Very Special Old Ryeway)
Owing to two years in premium rye whiskey barrels this slightly sweeter blend of our “Ryewine” oozes with malt-derived complexities reminiscent of maple and enough oak to build a bedroom set. With a grist comprised of over sixty percent rye, Very Special Old Ryeway is deceptively balanced given its supermassive body. Enjoy now or store cold.
December 13 Releases
Ryeway To Heaven
Bourbon and rye barrels work together in harmony to breathe life into our Ryewine. This unforgettable ale is brewed with over 60% rye, yielding entirely unique malt- and barrel-derived complexities. Enjoy an ample body that suggests sweetness but still finishes smooth and dry. Enjoy life now, or store cold.
V.S.O.D. (Very Special Old Deth)
For those of discerning taste, this blend of specially selected Deth’s Tar Imperial Oatmeal Stout barrels, each aged a full two years, is a showcase of barrel character. “Very Special Old Deth” demonstrates the flavors and aromatics which can only be achieved through extended barrel aging and obsessive TLC. Enjoy now with pinkies extended or store cold.
Boss Jacket
Aged in French oak WhistlePig The Boss Hog V, The Spirit of Mauve ex-Calvados Rye Whiskey barrels, this special edition of our award-winning BA English Barleywine was brewed to retain a little extra sweetness, allowing the additional malt sugars to compile layers of stupefying complexity over time. Enjoy now or store cold.
January 24th Releases
Cuvée de Grâce
Nodding to the methods and traditions of our brewing forebears, we scoured our barrel stacks for the most unique and expressive components we could find to bring to life this limited edition Cuvée, never to be replicated. A blend of multi-vintage Oatmeal and Rye Stouts establish its full-body and obsidian veil, while a selection of oaky two-year-old Barleywines and Scotch Ale pacify roastiness with their rich, matured malt structures. Enjoy now or store cold.
The Cuvée de Grâce blend
36% two-year aged Straight Jacket
17% Deth’s Tar
17% Rye barrel-aged Stout
14% two-year Jamonilla
10% two-year Gravedigger Billy
3% Port-barrel-aged Straight Jacket
3% Madeira-barrel-aged Straight Jacket
10 YEar BeeR
On the occasion of our tenth anniversary we present this sophisticated-but-approachable celebratory ale. English Barleywines aged in bourbon and rye whiskey barrels between twelve and twenty-four months establish a base of stone fruit, vanilla, and graham. A blend of sweet and tart cherries lends soft sweetness, acidity, and hue. Find something to celebrate now or store cold.
WHICH BEERS ARE PART OF THE 2019–2020 DEEP WOOD SERIES, AND WHEN WILL THEY BE RELEASED?
| October 18–19 | November 15 | December 13 | January 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deth’s Tar | Straight Jacket | Ryeway to Heaven | Cuvée De Grâce |
| Cafe Deth | V.S.O.R. (Very Special Old Ryeway) | V.S.O.D. (Very Special Old Deth) | Ten Year Beer |
| Deth By Plums | Boss Jacket |
PREVIEW PARTIES
Last year we launched a series of draft-only preview parties at select accounts the night before each release. These events gave our team a chance to hear from you in a more intimate setting. Preview parties will be returning in 2019–2020, to continue sharing the Deep Wood Series love with the bars who advocate for us all year. We’re supremely confident in our Deep Wood Series beers and want to provide the opportunity to sample the goods before going all-in on release day.
Where will these beers be available?
Each of the Deep Wood Series beers will be released in cans at the Revolution Taproom, located at 3340 N. Kedzie Ave. There will be wide distribution of Deth’s Tar, Café Deth, and Straight Jacket cans to select retail accounts, along with limited distribution of Deth by Plums, Ten Year Beer, and Ryeway to Heaven.
WILL THE RELEASE EVENTS HAVE DRAFT-ONLY VARIANTS?
Definitely - after unveiling our Sanctuary Barrel Program last year, we’re more excited than ever to share truly one-off beers with our biggest fans. We’ll announce the variants during the week leading up to each release on our website and the Facebook event page.
IS THE BEER READY TO DRINK RIGHT AWAY?
All of our Deep Wood Series beers are already aged between 6-36 months (depending on the beer) before we package them. They’re absolutely ready to drink right away, and we don’t recommend piling them on a lonely shelf for years at a time. Seriously - we made these beers for you to enjoy. Bottoms up!
HOW DO THEY AGE OVER TIME IN A CAN?
We flash pasteurize our Deep Wood Series beers. We’ve also tasted many of our beers aged over a year in cans and haven’t picked up any big changes in flavor apart from the effects of normal aging. And again, we really think they’re great now and hope you will too.
IS THERE A PURCHASE LIMIT AT THE RELEASE EVENTS?
We’ll announce any purchase limits after the beer has been packaged. Keep an eye on our Facebook event pages and news posts–we’ll let you know there first.
HOW LONG WILL EACH BEER BE AVAILABLE FOR?
We won’t know that until we see the turnout at the release events, so we’re not able to predict how long each beer will be available.
WHAT IS THE BEST-BY DATE FOR DEEP WOOD SERIES BEERS?
We do not provide a best-by date on our cans. While the beer may taste great in the future, our aluminum can supplier follows the industry standard and only warranties the integrity of our cans for 12 months.
I CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE RELEASE DATE. CAN YOU SAVE/SHIP ME DEEP WOOD SERIES BEERS?
Unfortunately, once the beer is gone, it’s gone. We don’t hold any back for retail purchase. We are also unable to ship beer directly to consumers under federal law.
CAN I USE CREDIT CARDS FOR MY PURCHASE?
Packaged beer sales will accept both credit cards and cash, however draft sales inside the release event will be cash only to ensure the fastest possible service.
WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE AT THE RELEASE EVENTS?
The Revolution Taproom doesn’t serve food, but we encourage customers to bring their own food, and we’ll have food trucks scheduled to come and serve Rev fans.
