New Revolution Brewing Beer Made With Hops Grown At Shedd Aquarium

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Nov 12, 2012 9:20PM

Shedd Aquarium’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond their oceanariums. The Shedd Gardens are a treasure trove of native plants and produce that provide pesticide-free shelter for lakefront wildlife and help feed the creatures inside the aquarium’s walls.

One of the more curious plantings in the Shedd Gardens are hops which were planted a decade ago to dress up the garden’s walls. According to Shedd Aquarium spokeswoman Elise Waugh, they don't know what type of hops they are. "When we planted them, we tried out five different types and we don't know which ones took root."

Those vines yielded eight pounds of dry hops, which Shedd officials put to good use by partnering with Revolution Brewing to make a collaborative beer.

That beer, a harvest ale called Penguin Hops, will be available at Revolution’s pub (2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Revolution’s Tap Room, (3340 N. Kedzie.), and select beer bars across the city Nov. 28. Revolution will donate one dollar for every pint sold to support the Shedd's local and global conservation programs.

