LOGAN SQUARE — Buckle down for another pint: Revolution Brewing has announced plans to expand production of its Avondale brewing facility, tripling production of its exclusive line of beers.
The brewery will get a new 120-barrel brewhouse this summer at 3340 N. Kedzie Ave. in Avondale — the brewhouse, along with several 800-barrel fermenters and other equipment, will boost the company’s capacity to 300,000 barrels annually, according to the Revolution crew.
“Chicagoans are enjoying a lot of Revolution brews, and this expansion project gives us the ability to keep that beer flowing for many years,” Revolution owner Josh Deth said in a statement. “Revolution is leading a renaissance of Chicago’s great brewing culture and industry that has been part of the city’s history since day one.”
The Logan Square-based restaurant and pub brewed just over 50,000 barrels in 2014 and is now expanding into the neighboring space at its Avondale facility, where a 58 kW photovoltaic solar array will be installed on the roof to generate electricity.
An increase in cold storage space will help maintain the brews’ flavor by preserving freshness, according to the announcement. The expansion will also allow Revolution to add more variety to its lineup, including Fist City, a Chicago Pale Ale, which is slated to hit shelves in 12-ounce cans in April.
“Fist City is my beer of choice these days because it’s only 5.5% ABV, but it still has great hop aroma and flavor. I think people are going to dig it in cans,” Brewmaster Jim Cibak said in a statement.
The expansion is made possible by small business loans from First Midwest Bank and SomerCor 504 who also helped finance the original brewpub at 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square, the brewing team said.
And as the facilities expand, so do the job opportunities, according to the announcement. Revolution plans to add 15 full-time positions within the next two years, bringing the company’s total workforce to 180 employees.
The Logan Square taproom will continue to serve patrons from 16 taps of Revolution beer and offer free brewery tours.
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