Tap Handle #650: Magic Hat - Wilhelm Scream

Tap size:  13.5"
Rarity:  readily available, seasonal
Mounting:  3/8" hex nut on 3/8" anchor bolt

A few years ago, after Magic Hat had launched a popular tap series that featured a three sided base with a small snow globe on top for Limited Run beer varieties such as Winter Howl and Vinyl Lager, they went with a simpler tap design, in which their taps were given flat bases but still maintained figural imagery by using pieces that protruded away from the tap. Their Wilhem Scream beer tap was one of the first to receive this treatment. It features a three-dimensional sculpted pumpkin screaming into a microphone. The microphone is actually a piece of metal with a decal on it that bends forward to help create the figural look. The front and back are identical to each other, as are the two sides, so I reduced the number of photos taken. It was expensive on the secondary market when first released in 2014, but over the years the price has steadily dropped to bargain levels, as there seem to have been thousands of these taps made.

The name “Wilhelm Scream” refers to a Hollywood sound effect that has been used in more than 200 movies over the last 70 years. You can watch a compilation video here (warning: once you hear it, you will ALWAYS know it when you hear it). Also, Wilhelm Scream beer has its own unusual video, which you can watch here.

For more about Magic Hat, see this post.

Click through to read more about Magic Hat's Wilhelm Scream and to see more photos of this creepy yet cool tap...

Wilhelm Scream is a Pumpkin Ale available only as a fall seasonal. Ripe with flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel hops, this new beer signals the coming of chilling frosts and ghastly screams. Wilhelm Scream finishes the same way summer does, with just a hint of bitterness.

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.04 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  79 out of 100