Tap Handle #657: Blue Corn Cafe and Brewery

August 18, 2017

Tap Handle #657: Blue Corn Cafe and Brewery - Bee Sting Honey Wheat Ale

Tap size: 7.25"
Rarity: less than 10 seen, hand-made, beer name changed
Mounting: internal 3/8" nut

Perhaps no single individual has made more of a contribution to the Museum than Mr. Bill Gibson. Bill is a fellow collector who decided to sell off his collection of amazing, rarely-seen taps. Although some slipped through my fingers due to cost and bad timing, I was able to acquire many quality pieces for the Museum. Bill joked that he should have his own wing in the Museum, consisting of all the pieces he sold me. While that may be a physical possibility in the future, for now Bill has a "virtual" wing on this site, starting with this Bee Sting tap. Although small and flat, I like this tap for a couple of reasons. One is scarcity...the marking on the back indicate it was produced in 2000 or 2001 (it's hard to make out), and with the name change of the beer to 40K, that makes this tap hard to find - I've never seen another. Another reason I really like this tap is because the bee character went on to later appear on one of my favorite taps, Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery's Honeymoon Wheat (profile #628). It is one of the few tap characters that was used for multiple taps and is a really great tie in to Honeymoon Wheat tap.

For more about Blue Corn Cafe and Brewery, see this post.

Click through to read more about Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery's Bee Sting Honey Wheat Ale and to see more photos of this tap that's sure to generate some buzz...

Bee Sting was a honey wheat ale that was one of 3 core beers when the Blue Corn Cafe opened their brewery in 1997. After a handful of years, the owners were sent a cease and desist to stop using the Bee Sting name, so the name was changed to 40K Honey Wheat Ale. The beer still exists in the brewery today, and although the recipe has changed over the years, it is still a direct descendant of the original Bee Sting. 40K Honey Wheat Ale is a dry, crisp wheat ale, delicately spiced with coriander and orange peel and has a complex floral aroma. The addition of local orange blossom honey contributes to its light body and clean finish. It is easy drinking and pairs well with spicy foods.