Tap Handle #505: Stevens Point

July 22, 2015

Tap Handle #505: Stevens Point - Three Kings Ale

Tap size: 12.25"
Rarity: Rare
Mounting: standard 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

I'm not a big fan of the Coneheads from the Saturday Night Live TV show. I'm also not enamored with the conehead line of taps from Stevens Point. I understand the concept - Stevens Point, pointy head - but for the most part I wasn't really interested in them, especially with the garish colors and hideous clothing found on most of the taps. There are two tap handles in the lineup that I do like, however, mainly because the pointed head is somewhat obscured by head gear, and this tap is one of the two. The Three Kings tap is actually nice to look at, with the purple robes, scepter, and crown. All the conehead taps can be considered rare and a couple are scarce...this tap falls into the rare category, and the price, which was at one time quite expensive, has dropped to more affordable levels.

The name of the tap comes from the story of the the three biblical magi that visited the baby Christ. Three Kings is a Kolsch ale, and Köln Germany is the birthplace of Kolsch beer. It is also where the remains of the magi reside in the Köln Cathedral. The Shrine of the Three Kings is shaped like a basilica: two sarcophagi stand next to each other, with the third sarcophagus resting on their roof ridges. The ends are completely covered, so there is no space visible between the sarcophagi. The basic structure is made of wood, with gold and silver overlay decorated with filigree, enamel, and over 1000 jewels and beads (see photo to right).

Legend recounts that the "relics of the Magi" were originally situated at Constantinople, but brought to Milan in an oxcart by Eustorgius I, the city's bishop, to whom they were entrusted by the Emperor Constantine in 314. The relics of the Magi were taken from Milan by Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa and given to the Archbishop of Köln, Rainald of Dassel in 1164. Construction of the present Köln Cathedral was begun in 1248 to house these important remains and relics; it took 632 years to complete and is now the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. The Three Kings have since attracted a constant stream of pilgrims to Köln.

For more about Stevens Point Brewing, see this post.

Click through to read more about Stevens Point's Three Kings Ale and to see more photos of this regal tap...

Three Kings is a highly drinkable golden colored Kölsh-style ale inspired by the story of the Three Kings. Köln is the birthplace of Kölsh ale, often referred to as the ‘crown jewel of brewing art’. Elegant and well-balanced, Three Kings is hand-crafted with a delicate fruity aroma, clean soft maltiness, and crisp subtle hopping - an adventure fit for a king.