Tap Handle #634: Goliad - Roustabout Stout

Tap size:  11.5"
Rarity:  10 or less seen
Mounting:  3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

This great looking tap comes to the museum courtesy of reader Manny. It is styled after the flintlock pistols used at the Battle of the Alamo and Battle of Goliad in the 1800s. A decal bearing the phrase "Remember Goliad" appears on each side of the pistol's handle; that phrase was the rallying cry during the war of Texas independence from Santa Ana during the Battle of Jacinto. The decals feature the symbol of a Texan banner, which was unfurled December 20, 1835 at the signing of the declaration of independence of Texas from Santa Anna’s regime. These decals appear on the base of the pistol's handle and also on each side of the handle. Under the barrel on each side of the pistol is a place for a beer variety label. I have both Roustabout Stout and Golden Ale, but I have chosen to profile the Roustabout Stout. It's a very nice tap that hasn't been seen much on the secondary market.

Click through to read more about Goliad Brewing, their Roustabout Stout, and to see more photos of this historic tap...

Tap Giveaway #8 Results - UPDATE

Graham claimed his prize on time, I just haven't been able to post it. The contest is officially over. Thanks again to everyone for your patience during this difficult time for me.

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Sorry for the delay in this announcement, I've had a very long day.

I'd like to thank each of the 12 people who entered this month's giveaway contest. The winner of the contest, chosen at random, is:

Graham B.

Graham has 48 hours to respond or the prize will go to someone else. October is right around the corner, so if you've been trying to win don't give up! The next tap will be one that I haven't given away before, so make sure you check back for the chance to win a free tap!

Tap Handle #633: Ohana

Tap size:  8.5"
Rarity:  readily available
Mounting:  internal 3/8" nut

The first Ohana tiki tap appeared on the site back in profile #425. Although this tap is smaller than the first one I profiled, it has far more weight and a solid feel, and gives the impression that it has been carved from a heavy, aged wood (it is of course resin). It was designed by Jeremy Costello, a noted tiki artist in the Los Angeles area. Costello went on to design a second (and even smaller) tap for Ohana of a tiki holding a surfboard that has appeared is several different colors. Costello's blog address actually appears on the bottom of the back of the tap. Like the first tap, there is no label for the beer variety. The brewery actually sells these directly on the secondary market, and they are fairly easy to find.

For more about Ohana Brewing, see this post.

Click through to see more photos of this substantial tap...

Tap Giveaway #8 Announcement and Details

It's time to give away another tap handle. This will be the eighth contest that the Museum has sponsored. Previous tap contest entries and winners were:

#1 - East Coast Taps nautical theme - won by Denis G. (out of 3 entries received for trivia contest)
#2 - Florida Keys mermaid - won by Sean W. (out of 6 entries received)
#3 - Big Dawg - won by Charlie W (out of 4 entries received)
#4 - Beer Army - won by Ariel N (out of 15 entries received)
#5 - Beer Army #2 - won by Larry C (out of 14 entries received)
#6 - Red Hook Seedy Blonde - won by Bill S. (out of 13 entries received)
#7 - Leinenkugal IPL - won by John P (out of 12 entries received)

For this contest I'm giving away a tap that I posted about back in profile #390: Shiner Smokehaus. This is great, industrial-looking tap with some gorgeous airbrushing that gives it a weathered metal effect. Lots of little rivets add a higher level of detail. The tap is new and unused. I do have the original box but it has seen some wear, though this does not affect the tap itself in any way. The beer and tap were discontinued in 2012 so this is a great chance to get your hands on a rare tap. Past winners are not eligible to participate in this contest (except for Charlie W.).

To enter the contest, you only need to submit your name through the "Contact Me" feature in the sidebar, or email me if we've been in contact previously. I will choose one winner at random on Tuesday, September 20th, so you have until Monday, September 19th, 11:59 pm PST to enter. Once I announce the winner they will have 48 hours to respond to my email or I will choose a new winner. Good luck!

Tap Handle #632: Witch's Hat

Tap size:  10.25"
Rarity:  10 or less seen
Mounting:  3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

This tap combines some unique elements that make up Witch's Hat Brewing's origins. First is the witch hat on top of the tap, named for a feature on the train depot in town (that is now a museum and events center) and is over 100 years old (see photo to right). Here, however, the connotation has been given the fantasy element of a hat you might see depicted on an actual witch. The second element is the railroad lantern, which of course fits with the train depot theme nicely. The "patina" on the lantern looks really nice, and although the "glass" is really clear resin, it has been colored slightly to resemble the purplish tint you sometimes see in aged glass. I've only seen two others, which means the tap is very hard to find. I don't see a place for a label, so I suspect the tap is used for all varieties...I'm going to profile their flagship beer, Trainhopper IPA.

Click through to read more about Witch's Hat Brewing, their Trainhopper IPA, and to see more photos of their illuminating tap...

Tap Handle #631: Dogfish Head - Firefly Ale

Tap size:  13"
Rarity:  Special Event/Seasonal
Mounting:  3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

I was infatuated with this tap when I saw that it lights up. Upon receiving it, I was a little disappointed in the execution. The lights are motion activated, so if you are using the tap on a kegerator, when you pour your beer, the tap illuminates for about 15 seconds and looks beautiful. However, if you are displaying the tap on a fixed base on a shelf, you'll be disappointed by the fact that it will be impossible to light up the tap since it can only be illuminated through the motion sensor. I'm tempted to tear it apart to remove the motion sensor and put a switch in. The tap is solidly made...the base of the handle is steel and houses the battery compartment behind a magnetic plate. The shark and back piece are both made from acrylic, so the leds underneath cycle through shades of green and blue and illuminate the acrylic. I took the first set of photos with the tap unlit; the second set of photos are darker in an attempt to display the illumination feature. The last photo shows the battery compartment and special battery holder that fits into the compartment. Although the tap is limited due to its seasonal status, enough have been produced to make them readily available. This is the second Firefly Ale tap produced; the first featured a jar with fireflies inside, but did not light up and has been out of production for a few years now.

For more about Dogfish Head Brewing, see this post.

Click through to read more about Dogfish Head's Firefly Ale and to see more photos of this illuminating tap...