Revolution Deep Wood Series 4Pk

Revolution Deep Wood Series 4Pk is a barrel-aged beer collection from Chicago's Revolution Brewing, featuring bourbon barrel-matured stouts ranging from 11.7% to 17.9% ABV. The series has earned recognition at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup, with the flagship Deth's Tar standing as one of Chicago's most acclaimed barrel-aged stouts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.7%–17.9% (varies by expression)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Barrel-Aged Stouts  |  Brewery: Revolution Brewing

Production & Heritage

Revolution Brewing launched as a brewpub in 2010 in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, then opened a dedicated production facility in the nearby Avondale neighborhood in 2012. The Deep Wood Series draws from an inventory of over 1,100 53-gallon bourbon barrels stored across the production brewery — stacked in the taproom, tucked alongside coolers, and scattered across the production floor wherever space allows. Each expression ages for a full 12 months in American oak bourbon barrels, building layers of complexity that distinguish individual releases from one another. The base beers are brewed with English specialty malts along with flaked and malted oats, creating a foundation designed to absorb and complement barrel character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark chocolate and roasted malt hit first, followed by waves of bourbon-soaked vanilla and toasted coconut. Deeper investigation reveals caramel candy sweetness and subtle oak tannins from the barrel aging.

Taste: The entry is rich and chocolaty, with a silky mouthfeel courtesy of the oat-heavy grain bill. Mid-palate brings forward noticeable bourbon character — warm vanilla, caramel, and light char — while the higher-ABV expressions like Deth's Tar (14.8%) and the V.S.O. variants (16.3%–17.9%) deliver substantial boozy warmth that never overwhelms the malt backbone.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering toasted coconut, dark chocolate, and residual bourbon sweetness. The oat-driven body leaves a velvety coating that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Deep Wood Series

These barrel-aged stouts are best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a tulip glass or snifter that concentrates the complex aromas. Pouring too cold mutes the bourbon barrel nuances, so patience rewards. While primarily a sipping beer, the series works in bold cocktail-inspired applications: a Beer Float built with vanilla ice cream amplifies the coconut and caramel notes; a Black Velvet variation blending Deep Wood with dry sparkling wine creates a striking textural contrast; and a small measure used as the base in a Michelada Negra with mole-spiced tomato juice adds unexpected depth.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates barrel-aged stouts
• Hosting a side-by-side tasting of different Deep Wood expressions
• Pairing with a rich dessert course at a dinner party
• Cellaring select bottles to observe how aging develops the barrel character over time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Deep Wood Series taste like? The lineup centers on rich, chocolaty stout character layered with bourbon barrel notes of vanilla, toasted coconut, and caramel candy, all carried by a silky, oat-driven mouthfeel. The considerable alcohol content provides warmth without harsh heat.

How does Deep Wood Series compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Stout? Both are Chicago-born bourbon barrel-aged stouts, but Revolution's Deep Wood lineup spans multiple distinct expressions — including fruit-adjunct variants like Deth by Plums — offering broader variety within a single series. The oat-heavy grain bill in the Deep Wood base beers tends to produce a notably silkier body compared to many competitors.

Is Deep Wood Series good for sipping neat? Absolutely — these stouts are designed to be savored slowly at cellar temperature, where the complex barrel-aged layers of chocolate, vanilla, and bourbon unfold over time in the glass.

Where is the Deep Wood Series made? The Deep Wood Series is produced at Revolution Brewing's production brewery on Kedzie Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, where over 1,100 bourbon barrels are stored and rotated across the facility.

What foods pair well with the Deep Wood Series? Smoked brisket complements the bourbon barrel char; dark chocolate truffles echo the roasted malt backbone; aged cheddar contrasts the residual sweetness; bread pudding with caramel sauce mirrors the vanilla and toffee notes; and pecan pie aligns with the toasted coconut and nutty oak character.

What sizes does the Deep Wood Series come in? The Deep Wood Series is available in 4-packs, with individual expressions released seasonally throughout the year.

Is the Deep Wood Series worth the price? The Deep Wood Series positions as a premium barrel-aged offering, and the 12-month aging program in genuine bourbon barrels, combined with the specialty malt and oat grain bill, places it competitively within the upper tier of American barrel-aged stouts.

Why Deep Wood Series?

Revolution Brewing maintains one of the largest barrel programs among independent Chicago breweries, with over 1,100 bourbon barrels in constant rotation — a scale that allows for consistency and creative experimentation across the Deep Wood lineup. The 12-month aging regimen in American oak bourbon barrels, combined with a grain bill specifically engineered with English specialty malts, flaked oats, and malted oats, produces a body and mouthfeel that many barrel-aged stouts in this tier simply cannot match. Recognition from both the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup confirms that the program performs at a national level. For drinkers drawn to bold, barrel-forward stouts with genuine complexity, the Deep Wood Series represents one of the more serious offerings coming out of the Midwest craft scene.