Tap Handle #579: Weston - O'Malley's Cream Ale

March 10, 2016

Tap Handle #579: Weston - O'Malley's Cream Ale

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

Back in posts #423 and #424 I profiled two taps from Weston Brewing, Drop Kick and Leapin' Leprechaun. At that time I mentioned I had received three taps, and that the Leprechaun had experienced some paint loss due to a lack of finish. This O'Malley's Cream Ale tap was the third tap, and was received at the same time as the other two taps, but it incurred far more paint loss than the Leprechaun - so much so that I was unwilling to post images of it. Kelly worked his magic and now I feel the tap can get the profile it deserves. The colors really pop and more closely match the redesigned artwork on the packaging of O'Malley's that was done in 2009 by Jason Bays of Blacktop Creative. Weston says of the new packaging, "the original artwork was given a bit more color and a hand-draw new look", while the goal of the packaging redesign, according to Bays, was "to create a brand that appeared as if it had been in existence for over a hundred years. My idea was to create imagery that presented the rugged beauty of Ireland natives with the inspiration of creating something that could have hung in an Irish pub for years."

Kelly's attention to detail during the repaint highlights aspects of the Irishman's clothing and face that weren't evident in the original paint scheme; the original hand painting of these taps had to sacrifice some detail in order to be produced more quickly. The sign on the front has the name of beer on it, but like the other two taps, Weston's name does not appear on this tap itself. O'Malley's is the most rare of the three Weston taps; this is only the third Cream Ale tap I've ever seen, and the secondary market price is historically quite expensive.

For more about Weston Brewing, see this post.

Click through to read more about Weston's Cream and to see more photos of this "rugged and beautiful" tap, just as Bays would have imagined it...

O'Malley's Cream Ale is Weston's flagship beer, as well as its oldest brand, first brewed in 2005 and still their number one selling beer. It is brewed in the traditional cream ale style, a smooth, sweet and creamy brew with a light floral hop nose, malty middle and smooth finish. The brewery uses a light ale yeast, noble hops, mild caramel malts and adds lactose for a smooth mouthfeel and easy finish. It is poured from a pub faucet with nitrogen and CO2, allowing the ale to cascade in the Irish tradition and settling quickly to form the perfect head, much in the same manner a properly served Guinness is poured.