It’s a warm, spring day with the sun shining and the clock just hit 5PM. I’m sitting at the bar with a beer in hand at Revolution BrewPub waiting to meet with Brewer Matt Voelker. Next to me there’s a couple talking about how good their beers are. Raising our glasses together, we cheered to the upcoming summer season and when I asked why is Revolution in Chicago, I heard the best reply: “I mean, what other city is there?!”
Revolution is a silver sponsor this year at the festival and after meeting a few members of the Rev Crew, they told me they couldn’t be more excited about it!
Given a tour of the BrewPub by Matt Voelker was a real treat and he gave some insight being a part of Revolution. He said that all the employees “share in the same dream” and all work towards the same goals. “There’s camaraderie and pride! We’re all in ships in the same fleet.”
Voelker did a shout out to the Chicago craft beer industry saying, with a smile, that the community is amazing because they help one another out in time of need and build one another up. He enjoys getting visits from brewers who stop by and makes a point to visit brewers as well. No doubt that camaraderie is another way to describe the Chicago craft beer industry!
Photo credit: Revolution Brewing
Photo credit: Revolution Brewing
The next day, with ‘Rosa Radlers’ in our hands, Aimee Quinkert, Marketing Manager of Revolution, and I chatted about the upcoming festival at the Brewery. Wasting no time, I jumped into my questions, “Being that West Loop Craft Beer Fest is the original beer festival of Chicago, what would you say is your main connection to Chicago? In other words, Revolution and Chicago — what makes this city great and why does Revolution love Chicago?” Quinkert replied with conviction, “Born and brewed only in Chicago, Revolution is by far and away Chicago’s hometown craft brewery. With a bustling brewpub in Logan Square and an expansive production facility just down the street in nearby Avondale, Revolution Brewing has staked its claim in the greatest city in the world.” I couldn’t help but smile! Just this past year they celebrated FIVE years in the business with an all-out bash at The Riv with special musical guests like The Orwells and Andrew WK.
Photo credit: Revolution Brewing
Photo credit: Revolution Brewing
That led me to my next question, “How does Revolution impact the craft beer community here in Chicago? In the US?” Quinkert then replied, “while our beers are currently only available in Illinois and parts of Ohio, we do our best to impact the whole US craft beer community by participating in several regional and national festivals across the country each year. While we would love to be able to provide beer to everyone nationwide, we are currently brewing at full capacity and want to make sure that we take care of our hometown supporters, first and foremost.”
Photo credit: Revolution Brewing
And what better way to celebrate the impending summer than with ‘Rosa’?! Yes, ‘Rosa’ will be at the festival! She also mentioned that ‘Cross of Gold’, ‘Crystal Hero’ and ‘Straight Jacket’ will also be on tap! There will be some epic taps, so come join the West Loop Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, June 13 and join the revolution!
Photo credit: Revolution Brewing
Cheers!
SP
Special thanks to Aimee Quinkert, Kim Elsham Vavrick, Tim Heise + Matt Voelker!