Revolution X Hero 19.2OZ

Revolution X Hero 19.2OZ is a 10% ABV hazy imperial IPA from Revolution Brewing in Chicago, served in a 19.2-ounce stovepipe can. As the first release in Revolution's line of high-gravity, fruit-forward IPAs, X Hero earned a Bronze Medal as Regional Champion (Midwest) in the Imperial Hazy IPA category and carries an 85 rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Hazy Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Revolution Brewing

Production & Heritage

Revolution Brewing, founded in 2010, is one of Chicago's largest independent craft breweries, operating both a brewpub on Milwaukee Avenue and a dedicated production facility on Kedzie Avenue. X Hero is built on a high-gravity grain bill designed to deliver intense fruit character while keeping the body smooth rather than syrupy. A notable production choice is the use of centrifuging—not to clarify the beer, but to separate excess hop material that can introduce harsh astringency or burn in other hazy IPAs at this ABV range. The result is a restrained bitterness and a finish that drinks cleaner than the 10% would suggest.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe apricots lead the nose, followed by tangerine zest and a candied orange sweetness. A background thread of tropical papaya and melon rounds out the aromatics without veering into cloying territory.

Taste: The entry hits with an immediate surge of candied orange and juicy peach, setting a distinctly fruit-forward tone. Mid-palate, layers of mango, papaya, and grape join in alongside a cotton-candy-like sweetness. Bitterness remains deliberately restrained, letting the tropical fruit character dominate through the peak of each sip.

Finish: Moderate in length with a light warming alcohol presence that reminds you of the gravity behind this beer. Lingering tangerine and stone fruit sweetness fades alongside a touch of soft, resinous hop bitterness.

How to Drink X Hero

Pour the 19.2-ounce can into a tulip glass or stemless IPA glass to open up the tropical aromatics; the haze and fruit character benefit from a wider drinking surface. Drink it fresh and cold—this is not a beer meant for cellaring. For a beer cocktail twist, X Hero's intense fruit character works well in a Beermosa paired with fresh-squeezed tangerine juice, a Shandy-style serve lengthened with sparkling lemonade to temper the ABV, or a Michelada riff where its tropical sweetness contrasts against lime, hot sauce, and Tajín.

Best For

• Fans of fruit-bomb IPAs looking for an amplified 10% ABV experience
• Tailgating or cookouts where the 19.2oz format serves as a single generous pour
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to hazy IPAs with minimal bitterness
• Side-by-side tastings comparing high-gravity hazy IPAs from different breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does X Hero taste like? X Hero delivers an intense wave of candied orange, juicy peach, and mango with a cotton-candy-like sweetness, finishing with mild bitterness and gentle alcohol warmth. It reads as a tropical fruit showcase with the haze and body of a full imperial IPA.

How does X Hero compare to Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA? Both are high-ABV, fruit-forward IPAs sold in large-format cans, but X Hero pushes the gravity to 10% versus Voodoo Ranger Imperial's 9.5% ABV. X Hero leans further into candy-like tropical sweetness with lower perceived bitterness, while Voodoo Ranger tends to carry a more pronounced hop bite and citrus-pine edge.

Is X Hero good for sipping on its own? Yes—despite its 10% ABV, the centrifuged brewing process produces a smooth, easy-drinking body that doesn't carry the harsh burn common in many imperial hazy IPAs. Pouring it into a glass rather than drinking from the can will help release the layered tropical aromas.

Where is X Hero made? X Hero is brewed by Revolution Brewing at their production brewery in Chicago, Illinois. Revolution has been an independent Chicago craft brewery since its founding in 2010.

What foods pair well with X Hero? Spicy Nashville hot chicken sandwiches contrast the beer's tropical sweetness. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo its fruit-forward profile. A mild, creamy burrata allows the hop character to stand out. Thai green curry mirrors the tropical aromatics while the carbonation cuts through rich coconut milk. Vanilla bean cheesecake complements the beer's candy-like finish as a dessert pairing.

What sizes does X Hero come in? X Hero is available in the 19.2-ounce single-serve stovepipe can, a format designed for convenience-store and single-serve retail channels.

Is X Hero worth the price? X Hero positions as a competitively priced imperial hazy IPA in the single-serve tall-can segment, directly rivaling similar 9–10% ABV offerings from national craft brands. The 19.2-ounce format delivers strong value per ounce at a higher ABV than many comparable options on the shelf.

Why X Hero?

Revolution Brewing's centrifuging step is the key technical differentiator here—it strips out harsh hop material that plagues many imperial hazy IPAs, delivering a remarkably smooth 10% ABV beer that doesn't punish the palate. As the first entry in Revolution's high-gravity fruit-focused IPA series, X Hero sets a deliberate benchmark: maximum tropical intensity with minimum astringency. The Bronze Medal as Midwest Regional Champion in the Imperial Hazy IPA category validates that approach against serious regional competition. For drinkers who find sub-10% hazy IPAs too tame but dislike the burn of most double and triple IPAs, X Hero fills a specific and well-executed niche.