Revolution Anti-Hero 6Pk

Revolution Anti-Hero 6Pk is a 6.7% ABV American IPA from Chicago's Revolution Brewing, packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Scoring 97 on RateBeer and 92 on BeerAdvocate, this flagship IPA has earned its reputation as one of the most dependable craft beers coming out of the Midwest.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.7%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Revolution Brewing

Production & Heritage

Revolution Brewing, founded in 2010, is Illinois' largest independent craft brewery, operating from its production facility at 3340 N. Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. Anti-Hero is built on a grain bill of Pale Ale malt, Red Wheat, Munich malt, and a touch of Golden Oats, hopped with Apollo for bittering alongside Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Crystal, and Citra. The beer is fermented with Wyeast 1968 (London ESB Ale yeast) at 68°F; on day four the temperature is raised to 70°F and dry hops are added — a step Revolution considers essential to the aromatic intensity that defines its IPAs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit peel and citrus zest arrive first, layered over pine resin and floral hop character. A subtle honey-like sweetness from the malt backbone rounds out the nose without competing with the hops.

Taste: The entry is bright with grapefruit and lemon candy, transitioning into orange marmalade and a biscuity malt sweetness at mid-palate. Spicy hop notes and pine resin build steadily, cresting into a bracing bitterness that provides a clean reset across the tongue.

Finish: Resinous and moderately long, with lingering pine and a slight residual sweetness. The bitterness is assertive but never harsh, pulling you back for the next sip.

How to Drink Anti-Hero

Serve cold at 45–50°F, ideally in a tulip glass or shaker pint to concentrate the hop aromatics; Anti-Hero needs no embellishment to show its full range. For a summer twist, try it in a Hop Shandy — the citrus-forward hops amplify fresh lemonade. It also works surprisingly well in a Michelada, where the pine and grapefruit bitterness stand up to hot sauce, Worcestershire, and lime. For something simpler, a Brass Monkey (blended with orange juice) plays off the beer's existing orange marmalade notes.

Best For

• Stocking a craft beer fridge with a reliable, year-round IPA
• Pairing alongside backyard grilling and smoked meats
• Introducing a macro-lager drinker to well-balanced craft IPA
• Bringing to a tailgate or house party where quality matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Anti-Hero taste like? Anti-Hero leads with bold grapefruit and lemon candy hop flavors, supported by a honey-like malt backbone and prominent pine resin bitterness. The overall impression is a classic, well-balanced American IPA — bitter and aromatic but never one-dimensional.

How does Anti-Hero compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are highly regarded Midwestern IPAs with generous malt character, but Anti-Hero uses a more complex hop blend (six varieties versus Two Hearted's single-hop Centennial approach), resulting in a broader citrus-and-pine aromatic spectrum. Two Hearted tends to read as more straightforward and floral, while Anti-Hero leans into resinous bitterness and grain complexity from its wheat and oat additions.

Is Anti-Hero good for IPA beginners? Anti-Hero is an excellent entry point into American IPA because its malt backbone provides enough sweetness and body to balance the hop bitterness, rather than simply overwhelming with resin and bite. At 6.7% ABV, it sits at a sessionable-enough strength for newcomers to explore without fatigue.

Where is Anti-Hero made? Anti-Hero is brewed exclusively at Revolution Brewing's production facility on Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Revolution is the largest independently owned craft brewery in the state of Illinois.

What foods pair well with Anti-Hero? Smoked brisket or pulled pork — the hop bitterness cuts through rich, fatty meat. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda — the malt sweetness complements nutty, salty cheeses. Spicy tacos al pastor — citrus hop notes mirror traditional pineapple garnish. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions — the beer's resinous finish cleanses a heavy, savory palate. Fish and chips — a classic IPA pairing where bitterness balances fried batter.

What sizes does Anti-Hero come in? Anti-Hero is widely available in six-packs of 12 oz cans, and Revolution also distributes it in 15-pack cans and on draft at select bars and restaurants.

Is Anti-Hero worth the price? Anti-Hero positions squarely as a premium everyday IPA — priced competitively within the craft six-pack tier while consistently outperforming many competitors in critical ratings, including a 97 on RateBeer and a 92 on BeerAdvocate.

Why Anti-Hero?

Anti-Hero stands out from a crowded IPA field because of its deliberate fermentation approach — using an English ale yeast (Wyeast 1968 London ESB) rather than a clean American strain, which contributes a slightly fuller body and residual sweetness that gives the six-hop blend room to express itself. The grain bill's inclusion of Red Wheat and Golden Oats adds a textural dimension uncommon in the style. With a 97 on RateBeer, a 92 on BeerAdvocate, and over 200,000 user ratings on Untappd, Anti-Hero has been validated by both critics and everyday drinkers at a scale few regional IPAs can claim. It remains one of the most consistent arguments that Chicago belongs in any conversation about America's top beer cities.