Anti-Hero - Revolution Brewing Company - Brewpub

maximum12

Minnesota

2.38/5  rDev -42.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Thanks to fiver29 & jampics2 for dropping this want into boxes that arrived in the past week or so. Loved the Galaxy Hero, so looking for another good hop fix. 12 oz. can with nice USSR-style visuals.

Pour is a clear golden orange. that triggers my salivary glands. I almost have to drown myself to get anything aromatically coming off the surface of the beer: sweet? I've had well water that smelled more; hope that's not foreshadowing.

Anti-Hero, you're no Galaxy Hero. Malt leads the way, & that's no way to build an IPA, or play in the hay. Hey. Sweet southern biscuits & crackers arrive first, & only second is there a gentle waft of rose/floral hops. Grassy, borderline dank midsection gives way to a meek hop nip right at the end. The dankness grows as the beer warms, & cuts into its limited appeal. I could have done with half a can.

This is a malt-driven IPA, something that should go down in the dictionary next to the bikini shawl & wool underwear. I could finish this. I'm thinking I might not. Not terrible, but not a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 02:17:58 | More by maximum12

RaulMondesi

California

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wow, this was surprising. Like, Raul's Boo being nice to him surprising. I got this bad boi as an extra, and is Raul sure glad he did! Just straight up solid like pulling a jenga piece and not having the tower fall. Mmmmm, Raul like it. Raul like it like In N Out after midnight nice n good.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:59:10 | More by RaulMondesi

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 fl oz. can, with apparent best by date on the six pack March 26, 2013. So I might be a little late on this one, but I'm not scared. Onward we go. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Semi-aggressive pour yields two fingers of slightly off-white / tan colored head on top of a beautiful coppery orange colored body. Some nice strands of bubbles floating to the top, and some nice looking sediment floating around. Thin curtains of wispy lace.

S - Smell is of a lightly sweet, bitter grapefruit / mango hop presence. Dash of pine resin, but mostly fruity hop sweetness to be found in the nose. Some bready malts creep out as the beer warms a bit.

T - Nicely balanced taste, with a nice crisp malt backbone to complement the bitter hop presence in the beer. Citrus fruit, and some light cracked pepper / rye malt taste in there also. Some tart green apple skin sweetness.

M - Feel is of bitter hop spice & some sticky fruity resin. A lasting green apple sweetness. A tasty brew.

Overall, not breaking any remarkable new ground in the realm of IPA's, but this is definitely a well-rounded, balanced, tasty beverage with a rewarding 6.50% abv. Definitely an IPA I will revist, and a brewery I am looking forward to trying more of. This was my first beer from Revolution Brewing Co., but it was a fine introduction indeed.

Revolution Anti-Hero ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 23:58:41 | More by mfnmbvp

kojevergas

California

3.2/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Special thanks to Duff27 for including this in a trade; I appreciate it buddy. Received today via UPS. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average; Duff27 recommended it but I've never tried this brewery before. 6.5% ABV confirmed. 12 fl oz aluminum can with green and white label served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. I dig the label art. I don't see a bottled on or best before date.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Paired with salted hard pretzels.

Satisfying pop as I open it.

A: Pours a four finger beige colour head of some cream, okay thickness, and good (3.5+ minute) retention. Light lacing sticks to the sides of the glass as the head slowly recedes. It's not real frothy, but it's typical of the style. Body colour is a light translucent clear yellow-copper. No yeast particles are visible (nor should they be). No bubble show. It's standard fare for the style; there's nothing unique or special here, but there aren't any overt flaws. Good vibrance. It's appealing, overall.

Sm: A pleasant marriage of malty sweetness with floral hop character. Some light hop nectar and light pine. It's a pleasant departure from the grapefruit-dominant biting aromas of many west coast IPAs. I don't get any soapiness; this spent the right amount of time in primary. No alcohol comes through, nor does any yeast. A touch grassy. Certainly clean and pleasant. A bit piney. A bit too much caramel malt was used here. I also detect a strange rauchbier-esque malty note; that's odd but not unwelcome. There's a definite slight smoked quality to it; I didn't notice it initially but now that I've had, it's more and more recognizable. It's well tempered by light citrus with a bit of juicy character. All around, it's an intriguing aroma of mild strength. I'm excited to try it.

T: Balanced, but a bit lacking in terms of depth of flavour/amplitude. There's definite floral hop character, a touch of citrus, a touch of nectary hop character, and it's all balanced by a pale malt foundation that doesn't intrude. I don't get any yeasty character or alcohol - neither of which would be welcome here. It's got a very subtle light hint of smoked malt - a characteristic which I like, mainly because of how carefully it's integrated. There's not a lot of complexity or subtlety here. Still, as a simply built straight-up IPA, it's a success. It's refreshing and pleasant.

Mf: Undercarbonated, actually - but only slightly. A biteen buttery. Smooth and wet, as it should be. Palate presence is decent. A bit thin. Complements the flavour profile well, though. Chewy and lightly refreshing.

Dr: Quite drinkable. I think anyone - whether experienced with IPAs or new to them - would enjoy this one. Hides its ABV well. Its biggest flaw is its over-reliance on caramel malts. I wouldn't get this again unless it was the best option at a lower end bar, but I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to try it. Thanks again, Duff27. I'd have no trouble murdering a sixer of this, but there are better options out there. Still, it'd make a good introduction to the style and it's more balanced than most. Also, because it's a canned beer, it'd be a great choice to smuggle into a movie theatre. Or is that just me?

C+

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 06:16:34 | More by kojevergas

lefty

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz can into an imperial pint glass

The color was a deep golden yellow with surprisingly little, if any head. I would have to say the best part about this beer is the smell, which is a deep floral with pine. Very refreshing and got me excited to take my first sip.

As for taste, it lived up to its smell. I am just getting into IPAs/hoppy beers, and this was a joy to drink. It wasn't overpowering but you could definitely taste the hops and slight bitterness.

Overall, this was a good beer that I would purchase again. This is my third different beer from Revolution and they have all lived up to the hype thus far.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 01:32:20 | More by lefty

elNopalero

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Revolution.
This is an intense golden color with some foaming. There’s a light, clear, clean hop aroma. I get some citrus at first but then it turns chewy with some lingering bitterness on the palate. A well-balanced and solid, if typical, IPA

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 20:16:31 | More by elNopalero

cw577enfield

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Thanks to willseph for this one!

Can poured into a snifter:

A - amber/golden hue with three fingers of head. Aggressive foam at that one! Nice lacing.

S - citrus and tropical fruit notes, bit piney but vague, nice sweetness that comes together at the end.

T - similar to smell, a solid balanced flavor that allows everything to merge for a great taste.

M - light to medium bodied, good carbonation, and easily drinkable.

O - quite a refreshing IPA beer! Great job to Revolution Brewing Company.

Serving type: can

06-17-2013 22:29:40 | More by cw577enfield

Purp1eOne

Illinois

4.29/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - Poured a nice amber color with a good amount of head

S - A nice pleasing orange/citrus aroma

T - Good combination of hops and citrus and hardly any bitterness. There really is no aftertaste to this beer, from start to finish its a nice citrussy/malty combination.

M - Carbonation is very mild and not a whole lot of body but it goes down really easy.

O - Overall this is a very nice IPA with a great combination of citrus and malt. You really can't go wrong with this IPA.

Serving type: can

06-14-2013 01:39:29 | More by Purp1eOne

Rope

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance-
A hazy deep amber, that drinks in natural sunlight with a surprisingly strong lived straw yellow head.

Smell-
Orange citrus, but not very forthcoming.

Taste-
Just outstanding. This is an IPA everyone can get into, because it lacks the bitter reproach. Usually that lack of bitterness would bother me, but the bright citrus flavor followed by a buttery malt is too tasty.

Mouthfeel-
A bit more oily than expected, but it certainly does not detract. Bubbles can get smaller quicker, depending how you have it served. (glass type, tap, can etc)

Overall-
This is flavorful enough to merit serious contemplation on taste, but accessible enough for all to enjoy. That also implies you can lose yourself within 4+ quicker than most IPAs.

Serving type: can

06-10-2013 21:58:19 | More by Rope

confer

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had nver heard of these guys before a a visit to a Chicago area bottle shop.
Got a mixed six and luckily this was one of my choices.
Pours medium yellow with no head.
The smell is grapefruit with a hint of pine.
The taste is exactly like the smell mostly grapefruit with a little pine. Lots of flavor.
Very low carbonation.
Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: can

06-10-2013 02:08:12 | More by confer

MacQ32

South Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - Pours a straw yellow with a tint of golden orange with a pretty sizable 3 finger, near-white head. Retention is great, lacing is very nice as well.

S - Citrus, maybe a hint of pear and some pineyness - hops are lacking.

T - Ahh there they are, a really nice combination of hops bursting with sweet tropical/citrusy juice flavors, not super dry bitter more citrus and fruit than bitter and dry. Taste is relatively constant right through the aftertaste - mostly fruity with nice diminishing hoppy bitterness. Leaves my mouth salivating a bit!

M - Medium bodied or lighter, carbonation is a little weak but still rather refreshing considering.

O - Pretty tasty - I fear I may have let it get cold too quick (in the freezer) - didnt freeze but it probably wasnt too far away from it :/. Still very tasty, fruit forward ipa. Great extra! Thanks boilermakerryan!

Serving type: can

06-08-2013 01:01:13 | More by MacQ32

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.26/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to wyatt13 for this awesome can in a recent box!

Poured into a snifter. Pours a crystal clear gold-tinted orange. Thin off-white cap. Nose is bursting with freshly-ground hop cones. Big citrus notes, pine needles, a little alcohol.

Crisp feel. Easy drinking though for the bounty of flavors going on. Juicy fresh citrus hops. Mango, pineapple, grapefruit. Total citrus bomb! Love this one. A massive IPA that I would love to have on hand. Thanks, Wyatt!

Serving type: can

06-04-2013 02:09:06 | More by Onenote81

yamar68

Minnesota

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Another one from alelover - thanks!

Clean hop aromas... sweet citrus and tropical fruits. An appropriate malt backbone.

Faintly sweet, mild bitterness and a nice earthy/floral sorta thing. Orange juice and mellow mango... I like. This would definitely be in my standard rotation if it was available to me.

Thanks Joel!

Serving type: can

05-27-2013 00:17:08 | More by yamar68

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.26/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Rich golden slight haze with a half inch of foam and a bit of lace. Smell is lightly tropical, citrus, the smell is the weak point of this beer if there is one. Taste is nectarines and orange pith mild to moderately bitter with a nice light malty sweetness that is almost reminiscent of melons. Works well and is flavorful, juicy. Light to medium body is creamy and with nice carbonation. Tasty beer I'd buy it again.

Serving type: can

05-25-2013 22:56:15 | More by JackieTH

thaghost

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12 oz. can poured into a teku

Appearance - Fairly hazy golden orange color. About one-finger creamy head.

Smell -Cannot smell much of the hops. Picked up several fruit flavors.

Taste - Right amount of hops with the grain and sugar taste. Also picked up the grapefruit flavor.

Mouthfeel - Medium carbonation lingers for a bit, fairly heavy on the tongue, delicious nonetheless.

Overall - I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Not too hoppy like many IPAs, which for me, allowed me to pick up some more of the fruit and sugar tastes. However, a little too carbonated for me. Overall though, a solid IPA, especially out of a can.

Serving type: can

Serving type: can

05-20-2013 01:48:01 | More by thaghost

Alieniloquium

Florida

3/5  rDev -27%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. can poured into a snifter.

Appearance - Clear golden orange. Decent white head and retention. Thick collar of foam.

Smell - Not all that hoppy. Not enough for me at least. A little bit of grassy pine. Some sweetness.

Taste - Grain, a touch of sugar. Some hops. Grapefruit and pine. Not very hoppy. Cloying sugar in the finish with some fruity flavors.

Mouthfeel - Seems much heavier than it should feel. Medium carbonation.

Overall - Disappointing. Not very hoppy at all. Some funny fruity off flavors too.

Serving type: can

05-18-2013 23:47:59 | More by Alieniloquium

TheLostGringo

Connecticut

4.46/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received a couple of Cans in a recent trade and was excited to give it a try.

A: Pours a light copper color with a 3 inch billowy head that I had be careful did not overflow the tulip glass I was drinking it out of, solid lacing throughout. 4.00

S: Big fruit aromas, perhaps the strongest tangerine, grapefruit, general fruitiness I have ever smelled in any beer. A slight resin aroma at the very end. 5.00

T: Follows the smell, juicy and fruity in the beginning with a nice hop bitterness to round things out, highly drinkable. 4.25

M: Just right, fills the mouth without being cloying or thin, just a bit sweet, goes down nice and smooth. 4.50

O: Extremely impressed and surprised at how good this was, really wish I could get this on a regular basis. 4.50

Serving type: can

05-15-2013 16:16:12 | More by TheLostGringo

MatthewPlus

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Received in a trade from Powz87- thanks a ton bud!

Poured from a 12oz can into a 3Floyds teku- also received in the trade with Powz87.

Pretty polished, it shines a gold to garnet with a two finger head of egg shell, and unless im crazy, a small hint of lime green?

Muted nose, i get peach, lemon zest and mowed grass. It's not as prominent as many of the IPAs i've been drinking recently, perhaps that is weighing into this review.

It tastes good! Orange, tangerine lead into a bouquet of floral notes. Not biting or obtrusive, but also not eye-opening fantastic, just very solid.

Feels medium- light-medium, lasting bitter finish. certainly has a drying effect.

Seems like a self-sufficient IPA. I would certainly order this in a bar if I was in Chicago, but probably wouldnt buy a 6er to take home.

Serving type: can

05-10-2013 01:18:30 | More by MatthewPlus

vic21234

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz can poured into a snifter. I threw out the top to the 6-pack, but I believe it said bottled on 3/27/13.

A- Pours a nice light orange color with a half fingers worth of white colored head that quickly fades to some froth along the side of the glass.

S- The smells gives off piney resin and citrus notes, with some slight grapefruit in there. Not much else.

T- The smell carries over into the taste. A resinous hop presence gives way to some sweet malts.

M- Light bodied, medium carbonation, hoppy with a dry finish, very easy drinking and refreshing.

A nice Chicago IPA.

Serving type: can

05-09-2013 21:37:20 | More by vic21234

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap into pint glass

Pour: Exceptional clarity. Amber hue with minimal head from tap. Lacing is noticed.

Smell: Grapefruit and some citrus first. Some pine and grass with a touch of biscuit. Not a very aromatic nose.

Taste: Citus notes of pineapple, grapefruit and orange are balanced out by a nice pine resin and touch of grass. Excellently balanced by a cracker and caramel malt making this one somewhat sweet.

Mouthfeel: Ligher bodied and highly drinkable. Crisp and refreshing with an appropriate amount of carbonation.

Overall: If you are looking for an easy drinking warm weather beer, look no further. With this one available in cans it makes it even more likely to be a summer beer. Not the best IPA but one I will easily pick up multiple times in the summer months.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 01:08:08 | More by sleuthdog

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to GRG1313 for sharing this one at his tasting.

Pours a clear orange with a foamy white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, and citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with citrus zest flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: can

05-07-2013 03:49:10 | More by UCLABrewN84

Jparker37

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12oz can poured into a nonic pint.

A - Light golden in color that has a slight orange tint. Medium sized pillowy white head falls to a small cap. Great clarity and leaving a small bit of lacing.

S - Distinct pine aroma. Tropical with a big peach quality. Bright and floral. About the freshest beer I've smelt.

T - Very early bitterness to this beer which is quite pleasant. Mild toasty malt gives a little bit of sweetness midway. Hop flavor is bright and citrusy then finishes with more pine. Modest bitterness cleans up well.

M - Medium to medium-light body, medium-light carbonation, dry.

O - Very impressed with this brew. Wonderful fresh aroma with a new and unique tropical aroma better than I've seen done yet. Flavor showcases bitterness early and makes for the most drinkable IPA. Body is on the light end but the rest of the feel is perfect. I would love to be able to get more of this and sincerely recommend this beer to all.

Serving type: can

05-01-2013 01:23:55 | More by Jparker37

Keffa

Ohio

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Live Review

Poured from 12oz can into my Saison Dupont glass.

A: Pours a brilliant golden yellow with a copper tinge, thick white head made up of fairly small bubbles takes several minutes to settle to a full cap, leaving sheets of lacing on the glass. Beautiful beer, probably one of the best I've seen.

S: Pine, pineapple, orange, and a lovely lemon note that I've never found in an IPA before. Behind the hops is a nice light malt body, cracker and pale in character. No real detectable ABV, at least to me. Solid.

T: Follows along pretty well with the smell, starts off with a little bit of a resinous bitterness, then shifts quickly to pine, grapefruit flesh, and a light malt sweetness. A very, very subtle heat from the alcohol shows itself, but it's so light that I don't really mind. Finishes clean, drying and a light, lingering bitterness. Solid, again.

M: Lighter carbonation, light-medium body. Slick and oily on the palate. Good for the style.

O: Really, really good beer. Didn't go into this one expecting much, and I'm glad I took the chance. Really good beer, and one I'll drink often, most likely. Highly recommended.

Serving type: can

04-29-2013 03:32:39 | More by Keffa

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.26/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This one got me from the first sight of the can, the Hop Head commander with the paratrooping hops really made me want to try some. Pours a crystal clear copper color with large bubble creamy off white head. Nose is a raw assault of hops, green fresh, mango, passionfruit, grapefruit it's all in there this smells of hop bomb status. Waves of bitter hops come across the palate, with fruit citrus, mango tropical tones and pine herbal bitter notes I love the mix of hops, ample sweetness balances out the beer. One hoppy ass beer, in a can it holds up nicely fresh hops were packed in properly to allow for minimal air and light exposure leading to really fresh tasting hops. Malts give off a mango juicy finish with the assault of hops that the beer offers at the end I paired it with an H. Upmann Legacy petite corona beautiful smoke attributes leading to a great cigar/beer combo. Medium bodied ale with an oily resinous texture, well carried out carbonation levels it doesn't get much better than this. Great mouthpuckering bitterness balanced with hop flavor and malt sweetness it's a beautiful hop bomb of a canned beer, I will seek more out.

Serving type: can

04-27-2013 19:51:28 | More by WVbeergeek

barczar

Kentucky

4.16/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a clear medium golden with copper highlights and a frothy half inch ivory head that dissipates slowly, leaving sheets of lacing.

Fresh cut grass, resin, pine, and grapefruit form the initial aroma. Very grassy. Pine and herbal hops accent a light caramel malt backbone.

Flavor reveals more citrus character at the base. Tangerine and grapefruit are accented by notes of mango, peach, and papaya, becoming resiny mid palate, with pine fading into a fairly bitter, earthy finish. Caramel malt serves only to tie the hop profile together.

Body is moderate, with moderate carbonation and a slight astringent bite.

Very good ipa. Enough bitterness to counter the fruity undertones, and fairly high hop complexity. Resiny, grassy, and citrusy all in one sip. For my personal tastes, it's a touch too bitter.

Serving type: can

04-27-2013 17:09:52 | More by barczar