Josh Deth landed his first brewing job in the summer of 1995 at the now-defunct Golden Prairie Brewing, where he started learning the beer business by dutifully cleaning kegs and scrubbing tanks. A few years later, Josh dreamt up the idea for Revolution while working at Goose Island as a cellarman and brewpub brewer. After the first few tries at opening a brewery didn’t work out, Josh opened Handlebar in 2003 with his wife Krista and a few friends. Always taking on more, he also held the role of Executive Director of Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, working to promote local businesses and simultaneously managing the Logan Square Farmers Market. In 2008, while working at the Chamber, he found a cool old building on Milwaukee Avenue with a nice tin ceiling. The brewery idea bubbled up again. After a few years of raising funds, planning The 2nd floor Brewers’ Lounge in July 2011, the production brewery and tap room opened in spring 2012, and since then Revolution’s brewing capacity has been continuously growing. Revolution currently distributes in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York City, and Wisconsin. In 2017, Revolution Brewing became the 40th largest craft brewery and 50th largest overall brewery in the country according to the Brewers Association Top 50 Brewing Companies by Sales Volume.
Josh Deth talks about his journey from brewing beer in his garage to founding one of the most successful independent breweries in the United States.
Subscribe to receive featured episodes and staff favorites once a month.
Newsletter Signup
