Tap Handle #513: Rogue - Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

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

This tap is often referred to as "Shakespeare", since that is the name of the beer it represents, but the brewery refers to it as "Rogue Man". Featuring the familiar Rogue barrel as a base (the same one found on the Dead Guy tap handle), the figure appears as a rakish man sporting a goatee, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat with a feather in it, and holding a mug of beer. There is a small recessed area on the top front and back of the barrel where labels featuring the beer variety (white text on a black background) are placed. The tap has been around for several years and is still in use today. It is easy to find and affordable.

Both the tap and the name of the beer were inspired by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which is held annually in Ashland, Rogue's original hometown. Founded in 1935 by Angus L. Bowmer, the Tony Award-winning Festival is among the oldest and largest professional non-profit theatres in the nation, attracting over 100,000 people per year.

For more about Rogue, see this post.

Click through to read more about Rogue's Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout and to see more photos of this dashing tap...

Rogue’s Shakespeare is an American Stout that is ebony in color, has a rich creamy head, and a mellow chocolate aftertaste. It is made from Northwest Harrington, Crystal, and Chocolate malts, roasted barley and rolled oats, along with Cascade hops. Bob Klein, writer of "The Beer Lovers Rating Guide", said: “This may well be my favorite bottled beer of all time; deeply roasted and creamy, with tantalizing bitterness; thick, smooth, and attractive; deeply satisfying.” The beer has won over 80 (!) awards, including 10 gold medals (and numerous silver medals) at the World Beer Championships, gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup, and first place in many international competitions. It is also the only American beer in the Top Ten in Stuart Kallen's "50 Greatest Beers In The World". Recommended food pairings are seafood, beef, dessert, and cheese...it is as equally at home with oysters as it is with a homemade pizza and freshly tossed green salad (or as a float over ice cream).

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.86 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  93 out of 100 (outstanding)