Tap Handle #573: Sapporo - Stone Warrior

Tap size:  11.5"
Rarity:  Rare
Mounting:  internal 3/8" nut

Thematically this tap would look great next to another Sapporo tap, the Kitana I profiled back in post #222. It features a Kabuto (helmet) and Mempo (mask), which together form a Samurai's head armor. Both barley and hops have been integrated into the helmet and mask design; the Kabuto front crest and the Mempo goatee have the appearance of hops, while the mustache and sideburns on the Mempo are shaped like stalks of rye. Three partial "stone" Kitana blades form the base (note all the little impressions and pits that give authentic stone-like detail), and a sign in the front states the beer's name. Curiously, Sapporo's name does not appear anywhere on the tap. According to my friend Masaharu, the Japanese characters on the front are pronounced "Ishi No Senshi" ("ee-shee no sen-shee"), which means "Warrior of Stone". This tap has appeared more and more frequently since it was first released, dropping the price to very affordable levels.

For more about Sapporo, see this post.

Click through to read more about Sapporo's Stone Warrior Brown Ale and to see more photos of this legendary tap...

Like the Samurai warriors of Japan, Stone Warrior represents master of skill and devotion to perfecting an art. A brown ale that is served year round and brewed at the Sleeman Brewery in Ontario, Canada, the combination of roasted malts, choice hops and deep aquifer water create a robust flavor and medium body fit for any beer lover’s palate.

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.06 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  no score