Revolution Cold Time 12Pk

Revolution Cold Time 12Pk is a 12-pack of premium American lager brewed in Chicago at 4.8% ABV, lagered a minimum of four weeks for a clean, malt-forward profile. This expression earned 92 points from Tastings.com in December 2023, affirming the time-intensive process behind it.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  IBU: 15  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Premium Lager  |  Brewery: Revolution Brewing

Production & Heritage

Revolution Brewing is the largest independently owned brewery in Illinois, operating between Chicago's Logan Square and Avondale neighborhoods. Cold Time is brewed low and slow using Great Lakes water, Midwest two-row barley, Mexican lager yeast, and a touch of German hops, then mellowed in conditioning tanks for a minimum of four weeks. Revolution's Brewmaster has stated that the "Premium Lager" designation here is a statement of ingredient and process quality rather than an aspirational marketing term — a distinction the extended lagering period backs up.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pale cereal grain and fresh biscuit malt lead, followed by a grassy, lightly floral hop character. Subtle doughy sweetness and a hint of mineral water round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is soft and gently sweet with clean pale grain and cracker-like malt. Mid-palate, light citrus peel and a whisper of pine bitterness emerge, balanced by a biscuity backbone. The 15 IBU keeps things restrained, letting the malt and water quality speak.

Finish: Crisp and dry with a mineral-water cleanness that invites the next sip. Lingering notes of grassy hop and faint cereal grain fade quickly, leaving a refreshingly neutral close.

How to Drink Cold Time

Cold Time is best served cold — around 38–42°F — straight from the can or poured into a pilsner glass to appreciate its clarity and light carbonation. Its clean, neutral profile also makes it a reliable base for beer cocktails. A Michelada benefits from Cold Time's mineral finish, which complements lime and hot sauce without competing. A Shandy works well because the lager's low bitterness blends seamlessly with fresh lemonade. A Beergarita (beer-spiked margarita) gains drinkability from Cold Time's light body and crisp carbonation.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to a step above macro lager
• Pairing with tacos, burgers, and other grilled fare on game day
• Keeping on hand as a versatile, sessionable everyday lager

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cold Time taste like? Cold Time delivers clean biscuit malt and pale cereal grain up front, balanced by subtle grassy hops, light citrus peel, and a crisp mineral-water finish at just 15 IBU.

How does Cold Time compare to Founders Solid Gold? Both are premium American craft lagers targeting drinkers who want more character than a macro brew; Cold Time distinguishes itself with a four-week minimum lagering period and the use of Mexican lager yeast, while Solid Gold leans slightly more hop-forward with a touch more bitterness.

Is Cold Time good for beginners? Cold Time is an excellent entry point into craft beer — its 4.8% ABV, low bitterness, and clean malt character feel familiar to anyone comfortable with standard American lagers while delivering noticeably better ingredient quality.

Where is Cold Time made? Cold Time is brewed at Revolution Brewing in Chicago, Illinois, between the Logan Square and Avondale neighborhoods, using Great Lakes water and Midwest two-row barley.

What foods pair well with Cold Time? Street tacos work naturally with the lager's light body and mineral finish. Grilled bratwurst and mustard echo its biscuit malt. Margherita pizza pairs well because the beer's crispness cuts through mozzarella. Fish tacos and ceviche complement the citrus-peel hop notes. Salted pretzels or popcorn highlight the clean grain character.

What sizes does Cold Time come in? This listing is a 12-pack of 12 oz cans; Cold Time is also available in individual cans and six-packs at select retailers.

Is Cold Time worth the price? Cold Time positions as a premium craft lager — priced above domestic macro lagers but competitive within the craft 12-pack segment, and the extended lagering process and quality ingredients justify the step up for anyone seeking a more refined everyday beer.

Why Cold Time?

The four-week minimum lagering period is not a marketing flourish — it is the single production decision that separates Cold Time from the growing field of craft lagers that spend far less time in tank. That patience, combined with Mexican lager yeast and Midwest two-row barley, produces a beer that earned 92 points from Tastings.com and a Silver Medal in competition. Revolution Brewing's status as the largest independent brewery in Illinois means the recipe scales without shortcuts. For drinkers who want a clean, sessionable lager with genuine craft credentials, Cold Time delivers substance over hype.