Tap Handle #595: Wild Apple Hard Cider

April 19, 2016

Tap Handle #595: Wild Apple Hard Cider

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

This tap is similar to other "dagger" type taps like Killian's or MacTarnahan's, featuring a wrapped grip, ornate hilt and a blade. Where this tap differs is in the apple that the dagger has pierced. This apple, which bears the name of the cidery, adds a bright splash of red color to the tap, and even a little brown and green thanks to the stem and leaf on top. The overall effect is really nice and makes it my favorite "dagger" tap. Due to what I'm assuming is a small sized cidery (I can't find an address or website), and a limited distribution area, this tap is very scarce - I've never seen another.

Click through to read about Wild Apple Hard Cider and to see more photos of this piercing tap...

I can find very little information about Wild Apple Hard Cider. It was founded in Bellevue, Washington in 2014. It is not clear who exactly the founder is, but the trademark registration was initiated by Nick Gagliardi. Gagliardi earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Washington State University, and completed the Food Industry Management Program at the University of Southern California. He worked in various senior management positions at the Colgate-Palmolive Company for 15 years in Toronto. From there he moved on to become Vice President and General Manager of Labatt USA after joining Labatt Breweries in Canada. After that, Gagliardi served as President of Liquid Investments and then became President of Mesa Distributing in San Diego. he left Mesa to serve as the Chief Operating Officer of Monster Beverage Company from 2009 to 2010. He oversaw the expansion, sales, and marketing of Monster Energy across North America, and globally launched a marketing strategy and platform and improved operational efficiency. He also worked on new product development.

In 2010, Gagliardi co-founded and was CEO/President of Sabemos Holdings/Sabemos Beverage

Company, which imported and developed product lines of beer, spirits and wines. The company grew rapidly, with business in 21 States, handling sales and marketing of products, development of packaging, and go to market strategies for brands. He sold the company in 2011 so that he could move back to Seattle to take care of his mother after his father passed. He is currently President of Great Artisan Beverage/BevLink, LLC, a strategic, comprehensive network of wholesalers throughout 8 States which he developed in 2011 and currently leads. It is designed to attract and manage key craft beverage and specialty suppliers, as well as create a shared source for their wholesale operations. BevLink LLC, which is currently a division of GAB, was launched to manage supplier/brand partnerships such as 12 Man Pale Ale, Churchkey, Wild Apple Hard Cider, and other brands.

The available varieties of Wild Apple Hard Cider are Honey Apple, Candy Apple, and Caramel Apple. They are distributed in select markets in Washington and Oregon; their hard ciders are 100% all natural with no preservatives, and are gluten free.