Deep Wood 2026: Part 1 | Revolution Brewing

Yes, it’s that time again. Revolution’s Deep Wood series gets into its main stretch, starting with their slightly earlier than usual (by about two weeks) October release. As is their tradition, Revolution will be releasing Deth’s Tar and Café Deth along with Coconut Deth and, for their Twenty Ten variant, Supermassive Coconut Deth. 

Deth’s Tar | 14.8% ABV

Like clockwork, Deth’s Tar returns. An above average barrel-aged stout in the Chicago beer market, Deth’s Tar usually gets surpassed by its variants for the year. Last year, however, Deth’s Tar rose up to be the top barrel-aged stout released in the lineup (and possibly in all of Chicago). How does it fare this year?

Deth’s Tar pours a dark caramel brown color that might be a tint darker than previous years. The head shows up but evaporates quickly while alcohol stains the glass if you swirl it around. The nose features bourbon and bitter chocolate along with a slight roast note with some very faint fruit notes.

This year’s Deth’s Tar is very straightforward. You get chocolate and you get some bourbon. There might be some vanilla and light cherries in there, but you came for the chocolate and bourbon, and you get the chocolate and bourbon. The bourbon and chocolate hang around, making it a quality finish-the-can-before-you-know-it candidate.

So is it as good as last year’s? That one had a surprise with a fair amount of caramel coming through in the taste and a bigger mouthfeel. While 2026 Deth’s Tar is by no means bad, it doesn’t reach the heights of that caramel one. It is up there with some of the other top Deth’s Tar vintages, but not the best one. Still buy with confidence.

Café Deth | 14.8% ABV

Another constant, Café Deth returns again with coffee from Dark Matter. Last year was an uncharacteristically down year for the beer, which typically is one of – if not the – best barrel-aged stout Revolution releases (12 ounce can division).

Café Deth pours exactly the same as Deth’s Tar. No color difference, no head difference, same alcohol stain. The nose is medium to dark roast coffee dominant while some chocolate, vanilla and fruit join in the fun. Bourbon also asserts itself. Again exactly what you’d expect to get off this beer.

And, of course, you get coffee on the palate as well. Café Deth sports a nice roasty coffee note with a little bitterness to finish things off. Some vanilla, chocolate, and bourbon accompany as well. Like Deth’s Tar, Café Deth does exactly what you want from a barrel-aged coffee stout. It melds much better than last year’s version but it doesn’t have that X-factor surprise like some creamy mouthfeel or taste showing up. But again, worth picking up.

Coconut Deth | 13.8% ABV

As the “fruited” variant for this year, Revolution decided to return to Coconut Deth. This marks the third time Revolution has released it in a Deep Wood series and it seems to come out biennially. Primal Coconut Deth released in 2021 as a tap-only variant and proof of concept that featured a TON of coconut compared to the later canned versions.

No shock, Coconut Deth pours the same as Deth’s Tar, though the head sticks around a little longer. There are no coconut floaties or oil on top of the beer. Smelling it reminds out of a subtle Mounds bar. The chocolate is big, but the coconut is subtle. Naturally some bourbon finishes off the sniff, but it’s predominantly chocolate. 

The coconut on Coconut Deth doesn’t behave the way you’d expect it. While other coconut beers either have bludgeoned your palate with coconut or hit you with an appropriate amount, Coconut Deth keeps things very tame, with the coconut somehow coating the tongue. The mouth is filled with chocolate, but that coconut sticks to the tongue rather than popping off it. It works fairly well but it’s definitely not what I’ve experienced previously or expected.

Overall, I’d like a little bit more coconut present on the nose and the taste. I don’t necessarily want a coconut bomb but a little more would go a long way. I am very interested in trying Supermassive Coconut Deth (look for it on a future episode) to see if it truly is supermassive or if it’s just more. And once again, like Deth’s Tar and Café Deth, Coconut Deth is a buy (as long as you like coconut beers).

Typically after reviewing the Deep Wood beers for the site I have a pretty good idea of how I’d rank them on the show. With these three I have zero idea. I finished Coconut Deth first followed closely by Café Deth but that really doesn’t tell me much. I think I’d give Café the slight edge but I really don’t know. Go to Revolution on Friday, October 2 and try them out yourself.