Revolution Deth's Tar 19.2OZ

Revolution Deth's Tar 19.2OZ is a barrel-aged imperial oatmeal stout from Revolution Brewing Company, bottled at 14.8% ABV in a 19.2 oz stovepipe can. This expression won a medal at the 2024 World Beer Cup, affirming its standing among America's elite barrel-aged stouts, and carries an Untappd rating of 4.2 out of 5 across more than 36,900 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout  |  Brewery: Revolution Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Revolution Brewing Company, based in Chicago, Illinois, has built a formidable reputation for its Deep Wood series of barrel-aged beers, with Deth's Tar serving as a flagship release. The grain bill features quality pale ale malt as a base, layered with roasted barley, black malt, dark crystal two, flaked oats, and oat malts sourced from the renowned English maltster Thomas Fawcett and Sons. A critical production step is a three-hour boil, which concentrates malt sweetness before the beer undergoes a prolonged repose in bourbon-soaked American oak barrels — a combination that yields the stout's signature velvety texture and complex bourbon character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with black coffee and boozy bourbon warmth, followed by waves of brownie batter and dark fruit. Underneath, toasted coconut and vanilla emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, leading with dark chocolate and caramel before transitioning into layers of toffee, roast, and coffee at the mid-palate. Bourbon-soaked raisin and dark fruit notes build toward the peak, accented by woody oak and a concentrated malt sweetness drawn from that extended boil.

Finish: The finish is long, warm, and luxuriant, with lingering roasted grain, vanilla, and boozy bourbon heat. The oat-driven mouthfeel remains silky throughout, keeping the 14.8% ABV deceptively smooth.

How to Drink Deth's Tar

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to allow the barrel character and dark fruit complexity to fully express themselves. Letting it warm slightly as you sip reveals additional layers of coconut and toffee. Given its dessert-like intensity, Deth's Tar also works as a component in these beer cocktails: a Black Velvet, where its roasted depth pairs against sparkling wine's acidity; a Beer Float built with vanilla bean ice cream, leaning into the stout's chocolate and bourbon notes; or a Boilermaker alongside a pour of straight bourbon, amplifying the barrel-aged synergy already present in the beer.

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a barrel-aged stout tasting lineup
• Pairing with a rich dessert course at a dinner gathering
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates high-ABV, limited-run releases
• Cellaring for a year or two to explore how the flavors evolve

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Deth's Tar taste like? Deth's Tar delivers a rich, layered profile dominated by dark chocolate, bourbon, coffee, and toffee, supported by dark fruit reminiscent of bourbon-soaked raisins. The oat-heavy grain bill gives it a full, velvety mouthfeel that balances the considerable 14.8% ABV warmth.

How does Deth's Tar compare to Bell's Black Note? Both are barrel-aged stouts with significant bourbon influence, but Deth's Tar leans more heavily into dark chocolate, coconut, and oat-driven creaminess due to its oatmeal stout base and Thomas Fawcett specialty malts. Bell's Black Note blends its imperial stout with a barrel-aged porter, creating a drier, more coffee-forward character by comparison.

Is Deth's Tar good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its luxuriant body and complex barrel character make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping from a snifter. Pouring it at cellar temperature and allowing it to warm reveals evolving layers of vanilla, dark fruit, and toasted coconut.

Where is Deth's Tar made? Deth's Tar is brewed by Revolution Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois. Revolution is one of the largest independent craft breweries in Illinois and is widely recognized for its Deep Wood series of barrel-aged beers.

What foods pair well with Deth's Tar? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs, where the beer's sweetness counters smoky char; flourless chocolate cake, which mirrors the dark chocolate profile; aged cheddar or Gruyère, whose sharpness cuts through the full body; crème brûlée, complementing the vanilla and caramel tones; and pecan pie, echoing the toffee and bourbon barrel notes.

What sizes does Deth's Tar come in? This release is packaged in the 19.2 oz single-serve stovepipe can format, a popular format for Revolution's Deep Wood series offerings that allows a generous pour without committing to a full four-pack.

Is Deth's Tar worth the price? Deth's Tar positions as a premium barrel-aged release within the craft beer landscape, and its 2024 World Beer Cup recognition, complex bourbon-barrel aging, and specialty malt bill justify its place in that tier. For fans of barrel-aged imperial stouts, it represents strong value relative to many limited-run competitors at similar or higher price points.

Why Deth's Tar?

Among the crowded field of American barrel-aged imperial stouts, Deth's Tar distinguishes itself through a deliberate production approach: the three-hour boil concentrates the wort to an unusual degree of malt intensity, while the Thomas Fawcett oat malts and flaked oats create a mouthfeel that competitors built on standard grain bills rarely match. The 2024 World Beer Cup medal validates what more than 36,000 Untappd reviewers have consistently rated highly — this is a barrel-aged stout that balances bourbon heat with genuine drinkability. For anyone building a collection of top-tier American barrel-aged stouts, Deth's Tar belongs alongside the most respected names in the category.