Tap Handle #435: Conquest

October 18, 2014

Tap Handle #435: Conquest - Medusa Stout

Tap size: 13.5"
Rarity: Rare
Mounting: 3/8" threaded rod

The Conquest tap handle has some unusual features. First, it is very tall at a whopping 13.5 inches. I was forced to use a long bolt and use a ferrule as a spacer to photograph it, as the sword tip on the front of the tap is longer than the base. Secondly, despite being metal, a magnetic label won't work since it appears that the tap is made out of a non-magnetic metal, probably aluminum. Third, the manufacturing process is unique, as Conquest purchases real metal daggers and gives them to a local metal worker, who uses a laser to punch holes in the daggers and then laser cut the shields. After the Conquest logo is etched into the metal, the shield is fastened on. Finally, the label is derived from paintings hanging on the walls of the taproom, which were painted by a local artist named Chuck Maier to represent each of their beers. Some of the artwork was created based on the beer names, like Sacred Heart and Medusa Head, while others were painted without knowledge of the beer and then used to represent the beer, like The Finisher. Since my tap didn't come with a label, I made myself one in Photoshop from an image I found, then enhanced the label text to give it more of an embossed look. I really like the way it turned out. Despite the amount of hand-crafted work that goes into each tap and their rarity, the price of the tap is very affordable.

Click through to read more about Conquest Brewing, their Medusa Stout, and to see more photos of this epic tap...

Conquest Brewing Company was founded in Columbia, South Carolina by Joseph Ackerman and Matt Ellisor. Ackerman worked at Green’s Beverage Warehouse, where he helped create a wide selection of craft beer while at the same time getting to know locals who shared his passion. Both men were homebrewers for quite a while, which began after they had found instructions to brew beer in a used coffee pot and decided to try it out. That first batch was awful, but they soon learned how to brew very well and their beers gained attention around town. After the decision to open up a brewery had been made, they went to the president of the local homebrew club at the time to ask for help. That person, who happened to also be a lawyer, gave them much needed legal advice. Conquest ended up selling shares in the company to get the money they needed to start up.

They ended up opening their taproom later that year, just a few blocks away from Williams Brice stadium and only days before the Pint Bill passed in South Carolina. Because of that, they were only able to serve samples on their opening day, but are now able to sell pints out of their tasting room. The taproom is full of decorations and furniture made specifically for the brewery. The brewery, which offers daily tours and a tasting room, has been utilizing a 3 barrel brewhouse alongside four 6 bbl fermenters, and some 7, 10, and 15 bbl fermenters and bright tanks. Outside of the taproom they are currently found in about 80 accounts around Columbia, and now that they are able to produce more than they are selling in just Columbia, they are looking to expand out into more of South Carolina. Artemis Blonde, Sacred Heart IPA, Medusa Stout, and Warrior Heart IPA are their four year-round offerings, and they also have seasonals and special releases.

Medusa Stout is sweet and silky, the seductress uses the dark arts of chocolate malt and roasted barley to give your palate a ravishing experience that you will not soon forget. By utilizing advanced mashing techniques rather than lactose sugar, Conquest has created a stout that is reminiscent of both a chocolate stout and a milk stout, but that is suitable for the lactose intolerant. There is enough sweet chocolate flavor that many have sworn we cheated. Judge for yourself.