Tap Handle #352: Creemore Springs - Mad & Noisy Hops and Bolts IPL

December 29, 2013

Tap Handle #352: Creemore Springs - Mad & Noisy Hops and Bolts IPL

Tap size: 11.75"
Rarity: Scarce
Mounting: internal 3/8" nut

For those who have followed the blog since the beginning, they might remember the euphoria I had when I first obtained the Dogfish Head Steampunk tap, the number one tap on my wishlist at the time. I think obtaining this Mad & Noisy tap is right up there as one of my best acquisitions. This is as rare of a tap as you are likely to ever see, and it is a beauty. With all kinds of gears, metal cylinders, bolts, and even a hop sticking out of the top, it's amazingly detailed and stunning to look at, with lots of bright, bold metallic colors. Due to a limited area of distribution and low production numbers, this tap is very hard to come by.

Click through to read more about Creemore Springs and their Mad and Noisy Brewing division, and to see more photos of this epic tap handle...

Creemore Springs Brewery was founded in 1987 in Creemore, Ontario, Canada by John Wiggins. Wiggins was a retired advertising consultant, who grew the brand, ironically, without any traditional advertising, relying on local word of mouth. The brewery was located in an old hardware store, and was known for not using preservatives during the brew process or pasteurizing afterwards. The brewery only uses four ingredients in its brewing process - malted barley, hops, water, and yeast, with the artesian water coming from the Creemore Spring located on one of the founder's properties. They brewed in small batches using an open flame copper kettle using original European recipes. In fact, their brewmaster journeyed to Dusseldorf, Germany to learn how to make altbier.

Like many small brewing companies, as Creemore Springs grew it had to make a decision to remain small and limit production, or expand and try to become larger. Being stuck between the two options can lead to failure, especially in a market already containing the Molson, Labatt, Big Rock, Sleeman, and Moosehead brands. The brewery decided to grow, building a new facility that doubled production in 2002. In 2005, MolsonCoors, fresh off of its merger, acquired Creemore Springs and operated it as a subsidiary. Although acquisitions by mass market breweries can have a negative effect on smaller breweries, Creemore Springs retained the ability to operate as a distinct organization, while benefiting from MolsonCoors' knowledge, recipes, marketing, and distribution. MolsonCoors later became MillerCoors.

In 2009, Creemore Springs acquired Granville Island Brewing, which was established in 1984 as Canada’s first microbrewery, located in British Columbia. The acquisition presented Creemore Springs with a strong potential to enhance product sales and expand to new markets. At the same time, the brewery applied for planning permission to expand their plant by 60% in order to triple their brewing capacity. The location of such a large industrial plant in downtown Creemore generated debate, and a group of local residents opposed the expansion by taking their fight to the Ontario Municipal Board. The mayor was a proponent for the expansion due to the amount of tourism the brewery brought in, and fears that if the brewery were to relocate, Creemore might turn into a "ghost town". It epitomizes the struggles that many breweries must face, and Creemore Springs emerged stronger because of it.

In 2013, Creemore Springs introduced their Craft Beer Exploration Series called Mad & Noisy Brewing, named after the two rivers that merge and flow through the village of Creemore. Hops & Bolts India Pale Lager, with Czech, English, and West Coast inspirations, was the first release under this label, followed by Sunny & Share Citrus Saison, which has a Belgian influence.

Mad & Noisy Hops and Bolts India Pale Lager is a bit lighter than an IPA, but a bit fuller than a golden lager, featuring a pithy bitterness that blends to a silky balancing malt sweetness. In the glass, it has slight unfiltered haze which settles to a bright orange-cedar color and a dense, lingering off-white head. The big hoppy aroma features a blend of light tropical fruits and bold piney and grassy notes. Recommended food pairings are hot spicy dishes and Asian cuisine. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 3.16 out of 5.