Beer Review: Anti-Hero IPA

Reviewing the Anti-Hero IPA from Revolution Brewing Company. This is one of the brewpub's three year-round beers (in addition to the Eugene Porter and Organic Bottom Up Wit) that is getting the "canning and distribution" treatment as part of Revolution's expansion. I also had the opportunity to try the "Citra Ice Cream" while enjoying this beer. Yum!
Score: 93

Tap pour in a tulip glass. Forgot to snap a pic of the beer, but I did take a picture of the IPA as part of a five beer taster flight that I ordered (the Anti-Hero IPA, in case you can't read my handwriting, is pictured on the left. You can see my fifth beer taster, The Bandit, behind the four beers prominently pictured).

Appearance: Bright, clear honey-orange color with one finger of foamy cream-colored head that gradually settles into a thin layer. Above average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Fresh, zesty citrus, tropical fruit and pine. A pleasant freshly cut grass smell is in the aroma. Lots of bright orange, grapefruit and tangerine. Subtle caramel malt aroma too. 4.25/5

Taste: Bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors mixed with piney resin. Very fresh flavors. The signature flavor of Citra hops is definitely discernible. Loads of grapefruit, zesty orange, some lemon, and tangerine. Even get some pineapple. Pretty smooth and not very bitter for the amount of piney hops flavor in this brew. Yum. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied with high-medium carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Finishes dry and bitter. 4.5/5

Overall: This is probably my favorite single IPA brewed in Chicago (note: Galactic Double Daisy Cutter was better, but it is an imperial IPA). It is superior brew to Daisy Cutter, in my opinion, and I wish Anti-Hero would supplant Daisy Cutter as the most frequent on tap "local beer" around Chicago bars. Anti-Hero is an outstanding IPA that I can't wait to consistently enjoy outside of Logan Square, though I hear the formula is getting tweaked slightly to drop the ABV a touch.

Recommendation: I highly recommend this beer for all people who do not hate hops flavor. Beer geeks should seek this one out. It is not overly bitter, but people who can't stand any degree of hoppy bitterness should probably avoid this.

Pairings: Hamburgers.

Cost: $6 for a tulip.