Tap Handle #527: Samuel Adams - Rebel IPA

Tap size:  9.75"
Rarity:  Common
Mounting:  unique tapered 3/8" ferrule

There are three beers in Samuel Adams' Rebel IPA lineup, and this can is the most commonly found. Blue Rebel Rider and green Rebel Rouser cans also exist but are more rare. This tap looks and feels like a real spray can, right down to the plastic lid glued on top. The ferrule is very unique - it is black and flares out to cover the entire bottom of the can. I don't think I've seen anything like it before. One very annoying feature is the metal ball rolling around inside the can. Oh, it's kind of neat at first, but the more you handle the tap, the more annoying it gets. It's much better to mount the tap and let it sit quietly on a shelf. I only took close up photos of one part of the can, since the detail is in the artwork itself and not the tap. For many years Sam Adams resisted brewing a year-round American IPA, but they finally caved in and created Rebel, which they are trying to market and distribute heavily. As a result, these taps are numerous on the secondary market and the price has dropped dramatically over the past two years.

For more about Samuel Adams, see this post.

Click through to read more about Samuel Adams' Rebel IPA and to see more photos of this colorful tap...

Rebel IPA is an American style IPA brewed with 5 varieties of West coast hops: cascade, simcoe, centennial, chinook, & amarillo. It has big citrus and grapefruit flavors, with subtle pine notes for a flavorful refreshing brew.

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.28 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  82 out of 100 (good)