Revolution Brewing Company - Brewpub

nickd717

California

4.22/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Went here the day before DLD 2010. Didn't know what to expect from this place, but I was impressed!

This is a big-ass place, expansive with high ceilings and some second floor seating areas that overlook the main central area where the bar is. As big and new as it is, they pack the place. The scene is great - a fairly young crowd, without too many notebook-packing tickers (except me) or Jersey shore club types (again, except me).

They had seven of their beers on tap when I went, and all were good to great. I consider myself to rate a little tougher than the average reviewer, and I gave their beers scores from B to A. They really nail the more "sessionable" styles, as their golden ale and dark mild were phenomenal for the styles. There are also almost 100 (as a guess) guest bottles as well as several guest taps.

The food is excellent. I had a burger, which was awesome, and shared some mussels and some bacon popcorn. Prices are about what you'd expect for the area and the quality. Service staff was friendly from my experience.

Great place overall! I'll definitely try to come back if I'm in Chicago again.

05-07-2010 19:11:45 | More by nickd717

bcm75

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25 | $$

Don't know how i have avoided this place for so long. Sunday at 11 am, place is full. Cool atmosphere, great selection of Revolution stuff on tap as well as a good bottle selection of others. I thought their Paddy Wagon stout on tap that I had was just a bit too cold; could just be my personal taste there. They DO have a kids menu, although it's not listed on the website menu (basically burger, pizza, chicken tenders ... standard kids fare). Food is high-end bar food. I had some really nicely breaded fish n chips. Quality cod there too, not the cheap stuff. Good fries. Service was a bit spotty and indifferent for my liking, but still pleasant. A few big, well-placed TVs showing the Bulls game. Street parking is in relatively decent supply, for Chicago.

04-15-2013 02:33:48 | More by bcm75

hops_slut

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

Every time I am anywhere near Wicker Park I demand that we go here, and I have so far got numerous people hooked on going here. The food is great, I recommend the pulled pork burger and also the fish and chips. The service here is amazing and this place is huge for a brew pub, it is two floors and is packed every time I go in. As for the beer, whats not to love! I am a anti hero addict and their wheat beer as well as porter are also top notch. Another interesting thing about this place is their mug club rules, I advise looking into it if you can make it there a few times a year, it has a lot of benefits for the price of $20 a year.

You must find your way here it is great, such a great mixed atmosphere but do not be shocked when you are spending around $15 for a burger and $5 a pint.

04-10-2013 19:06:25 | More by hops_slut

Sravan

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5 | $$$

The atmosphere is pretty good, however it is quite a bit dark upstairs. I like places that are a little better lit, as I tend to just do some work or write as well.

Quality was fantastic, I don't really have any cons, I just feel that relative to other places I've been the quality wasn't AS high. However, for a brewpub it's definitely exceptional.

Service was great, bartender was very attentive, but mis-placed my samples, at least I hope. The Pale Ale and Bottom Up seemed to not match up to their descriptions.

Selection is very detailed, I was going there mainly for their beer so I didn't take notice of other beers. Food selection is also good, but limited to Burgers/Pizzas, typical brewpub I guess.

Food was amazing. I had the Hombre burger, and it was the right level of spiciness. The burger was huge, and after drinking beer man I was more than full. They also had SOO many fries, and their fries have some spice to them which was fantastic.

Price really reflects me as a college student, Burger was $13, and I generally see sub-$10 prices for burgers. Beer was a bit high for my price but sample prices were suitable.

My first brewpub ever, and it was an awesome experience. I'm pumped to get into the beer game and Revolution was a fantastic start.

Edit: I wasn't happy about the overall score, being my first review I wanted to make sure it reflected that I thought exceptionally of this brewpub.

03-01-2013 10:00:10 | More by Sravan

Efay

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$$

I went here during the Milwaukee arts festival, which was right across the street, so it was extremely busy. However, the wait time for a table only took around five minutes.

The interior had an industrial feeling to it, with a twist of elegance. Very nice place to come with a group and enjoy some conversation. The waitresses were very knowledgeable with their beer and were quick with our beverages and meals. The selection for food was small, but ranged from typical bar food like burgers and pizza, to unique entrees like porkchops sided with purple potatoes and poached peaches. The food was great, even if it was a little pricey. I'd definitely recommend the bacon fat popcorn to side with a few brews.

This place is definitely a must stop place if you're in Chicago with friends. If you're just interest in grabbing brews to go, I'd recommend going to their tap room which is right off the expressway on Kedzie.

12-14-2012 00:30:43 | More by Efay

Durge

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Went here with a buddy back in March of this year and had a great time. It's a good sized place with a large downstairs and a similar space upstairs where there's a smaller bar and more dining tables. Our waiter was awesome. Very knowledgeable and willing to chat, assist with our selections. We thoroughly enjoyed our beers which were served appropriately and accompanied by a very fine dinner. The menu was fairly varied and ranged from sandwiches to more upscale dishes, but generally this is a nice, quality establishment while remaining casual with that brewpub vibe. The atmosphere is fairly dark, relaxed but active with some antiquey looking decor. I really liked the place and would undoubtedly frequent the place if i lived in Chicago. Prices were pretty much what you'd expect in the city for high quality beer and grub. Definitely stop in when you are in town and enjoy good beer, food and a comfortable environment.

11-05-2012 03:12:11 | More by Durge

Mgm54

New York

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Loved the place, very cool feeling atmosphere with cool, staff. Had much of an indie feel too it, but I like that stuff, so I very much enjoyed it. GREAT BEER! the beer they brew is great and fresh, also with a good selection of bottles from other places. Had some barrel-aged, lambics, the whole shibang. Go if you get the chance.

Also, the food is GREAT, real tasty, highly recommend for dinner (but it was a long wait when we went, but can order all the food to the bar).

Beer recommendations: Coup D'etat, reminds me of Duvel

10-29-2012 02:37:39 | More by Mgm54

Etan

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Went here recently for an IP trade with MarkIntihar and some lunch.

The place was supremely crowded at 2pm, but it was Saturday. Nonetheless we didn't have to wait too long (about 15 minutes) to get 2 seats at the bar, and shortly after our name came up for a table. The bartenders were friendly and efficient. You can make your own little flight out of 4oz sampler glasses (4 at a time), for $2 each. The tap list was fine, bottle list looked ok, if a bit pricey.

The food is quite good. The burgers are damn good and not too expensive. The place is nice, with the bar circling around the middle of the room and tables on either side.

Overall, Revolution has some really good beers and good food, it's absolutely worth checking out.

10-23-2012 21:07:42 | More by Etan

NateMac13

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

My wife and I stopped by here at noon on a Friday on our first stop of our "brewcation". We walked in and were immediately greeted and seated at a table by the window. Not a minute passed before the server came and greeted us with waters.

I asked about a few of the beers and the server was very knowledgeable and had a few suggestions. I told him we would be trying samples of each of them and he brought them out in the order which he thought was best, and I happened to agree with him. The beer was very good. I honestly hadn't heard of Revolution before I searched out Chicago breweries (I'm not from and do not live in Chicago) but I'm glad we went. Their Cross of Gold is a 2012 World Beer Cup winner. My wife loved the Coup D'Etat saison and I loved the Double Fist Pale Ale. All of the beers were above average to great.

They had 11 of their beers on tap with 5 or 6 other guest brews.

The food was really good! I had a reuben sandwich for lunch and my wife had a pesto chicken sandwich with bleu cheese potato salad. The reuben was excellent.

We tried all 11 beers and both ate lunch for $49! That is an excellent value!

We left and regretted not getting a growler of something so we went back about an hour later (5 pm) and the bar was much busier. It took about 10 minutes to get a growler filled but was happy to sit there by the clenched fists taps and watch the eclectic group of different people at the bar. Lots of mustaches.

08-14-2012 05:30:54 | More by NateMac13

lucasbm

Mississippi

4.65/5  rDev +9.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Came to rev brewing for lunch. Bartender was very knowledgable about the beers on tap. Had the Iron Fisted Pale Ale, Double Fisted Pale Ale, and Coup D'Etat saison. All were awesome.

For lunch I had the workingman's burger. Very good.

It was busy so the bartender didn't have much time to talk.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere, food, and the beers. Wish I had more time to spend here.

I'll definitely make another trip here during a less busy time, however a "less busy time" may be hard to find.

You know you've found a great place when it's filled with locals.

08-11-2012 18:21:18 | More by lucasbm