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Revolution Brewing's entry into hemp-THC beverage space with Reverb Splash brand for the IL and WI mkts, and its taproom, got spotlight from Chicago Sun-Times in wide-ranging article about the IL hemp THC bev and craft brewer space. Reverb Splash clocks in at 5 mg of both hemp-derived THC and CBD, reportedly selling at $18.99 per 6pk of 12oz cans. Co also has 10-mg dosage versions and a variety 12-pack with different flavors coming, and expects Reverb brand to expand into "teas, lemonade and other beverages in the future as demand for these alternative beverages grow," it proclaimed earlier this yr. It was already the official THC beverage sponsor at the recent Evanston Folk Festival, paper noted. Revolution is one of the larger established craft brewers to take its shot in this space. Outside of MN, where many top cos are already betting big, Tilray, OH's Great Lakes and GA's New Realm Brewing are some of the only other top regional craft cos to introduce their own hemp THC bev brands in the US. Tho plenty are eyeing it. Hemp THC bev sales are still relatively small despite the increasing number of entrants in IL and beyond. But this could just be the beginning of an upcoming onslaught of new brands from craft brewers as more stores broaden their availability at retail and on premise. A whopping 60% of 77 IL brewers surveyed last yr said they plan to make 'em in the future (75% if there were clearer regulations), Sun-Times reminded. That's well above the natl avg. "Chicago, in particular, has the opportunity to be the real heart of the hemp beverage industry," Glenn McElfresh, co-founder of Humboldt Park-based Perfectly Dosed, told paper. His co "creates THC emulsion ingredients for more than 150 companies, including Revolution and Hopewell Brewing." Count Hopewell as one brewer that's grown in the space, expanding into sparkling waters and teas, and accounting for 30% of its on-premise sales mix, available in local Parson's Chicken and Fish locations, Foxtrot and other stores, paper notes. "We're actively building that part of the business out," said co-owner Samantha Lee, also co-manufacturing for other brands out of its Logan Square facility.IL brewers' extra interest in THC bevs could be amplified by Chicago craft mkt's extra challenging trends lately, article notes. Latest Nielsen and VIP data from May-Jul shows craft down nearly 10% yr-over-yr. Unfortunately, that's nothin' new for Chicago craft. In Circana MULC data, Chicago craft beer volume declined 7% in 2024 vs 2023 and -11% in 2023 vs 2022, down significantly steeper than natl avg in that time. "The industry is still very far from recovered from the impacts of the COVID pandemic," IL Craft Brewers Guild exec director Ray Stout said.Among several local stores, and even music venues, ramping up availability of these products, major local retailer Binny's is already in big. Recall, Binny's had several brands featured during key holidays this yr, and now offers 200 different "varieties" across its 46 stores, per Chicago Sun Times. But gotta note, INSIGHTS hears that as that space crowds in more developed mkts like MN, there are already a lot more ups and downs among brands even as the category continues to grow overall. And on top of that, IL regulatory framework is still very grey, leaving the category on "shaky ground," paper acknowledged. Top beer distribs in the city like Reyes' Chicago Beverage Systems haven't taken on these products, nor have major chains like Jewel Osco and Mariano's, it added. But Hemp THC bev suppliers are champing at the bit for broader mkt access. At same time, IL adult-use cannabis, sold thru dispensaries and heavily taxed, saw sales trend slow to +3.5% YTD thru May. And it's not just craft beer struggling in IL either, for a variety of reasons. Total beer/hard cider volume in IL slipped 7.6% to 3.83 mil bbls YTD thru Jul 2025 vs yr ago.

You Say You Wanna, Revolution? 60% of IL Brewers Want In on Hemp THC Bevs; Largest Cos Staying Away; IL Craft & Total Beer Challenges

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