Tap Handle #698: Queen City Brewing of Cincinnati

September 20, 2018

Tap Handle #698: Queen City Brewing of Cincinnati

Tap size: 11"
Rarity: less than 10 seen
Mounting: 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

This tap first appeared on this site back in July as Ohio Tap #4, posted by Associate Editor Shawn. The brewery agreed to sell me a tap of my own in exchange for a more detailed write up, and I couldn't refuse since I really wanted one. As Shawn pointed out, the tap is modeled after the Tyler Davidson Fountain, found in Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The iconic statue is a symbol that is often used to represent the city, as Shawn also points out. The tap itself features "The Genius of Water", a female of heroic size, while the base is modeled loosely after the fountain's pedestal, with its interlaced vines and foliage. The front and back of the tap are identical to each other, as are the two sides to each other, so I have reduced the number of photos taken. In a curious bit of marketing, the brewery's name does not appear on the tap, and there are no labels for the base. When I asked the brewery about this, they said they they simply write the name of the beers on the base in chalk. I suspect that the tap is iconic enough that they were free of any worry about its association with their brand. The tap can be found inexpensively if you know where to look, which is a good thing, because on the secondary market it was selling for well over $100.

The Tyler Davidson Fountain is one of Cincinnati's most-visited attractions. After the death of his brother-in-law and business partner Tyler Davidson, Cincinnati businessman Henry Probasco went to Munich, Germany in search of a suitable memorial to him. Many years before, artist August von Kreling had designed a fountain to rival the great fountains of Europe but which would glorify mankind rather than fanciful creatures and mythic deities. When Miller could find no patron to sponsor the fountain, the designs languished until Probasco came to him with an interest in a similar theme. Probasco requested the addition of four figures with animals that would act as drinking fountains, which Miller's sons Ferdinand and Fritz designed. The fountain was cast in separate sections at the foundry and shipped to Cincinnati for assembly. Miller traveled to Cincinnati for the dedication ceremony, which took place on October 6, 1871, and it is estimated that 20,000 people were present. The 43-foot-tall fountain is cast in bronze and sits on a green granite base, on which appears the inscription "To the People of Cincinnati". The pedestal is square with bas reliefs of four principal uses of water: steam, power, navigation, and fisheries. Around the pedestal are interlaced vines and foliage and four figural scenes: a workman on a burning roof; a farmer standing in a field during a drought; a young girl offering water to an old man with crutches; and a mother leading her boy to the bath. Four outer figures with animals are actual drinking fountains and represent the pleasures of water using the figures of boys: one riding a dolphin, another playing with ducks, a third struggling with a snake and the fourth on the back of a turtle. The fountain square is surrounded by stores, hotels, restaurants and offices. The fountain itself is turned off during winter and turned on again in spring. It originally faced east, toward Europe, where much of Cincinnati's population originated, but when Fountain Square was redone in the late 1960s, the fountain was realigned to face west. Additional repairs and another refurbishing project was undertaken in 1999. In 2005, as part of Fountain Square's revitalization, the city decided to move the entire fountain to the center of the square. It is most familiar to non-residents for being featured in the opening credits of the television series WKRP in Cincinnati. It can also be seen in the opening narration for the paranormal investigation series Ghost Adventures.

Click through to read more about Queen City Brewing of Cincinnati and to see more photos of their inspired tap...

Over the years there have been multiple breweries bearing the name Queen City. In the 1800s Queen City Brewing was founded by Louis Schneider but the name was changed when Schneider had to sell due to poor health. Another Queen City Brewing Company was founded in 1994 but closed by 2005, due to over-expansion. Cincinnati is known as "Queen City"due to naming itself "Queen of the West" back in the 1800s. However, over 50 years prior to that, the city of Charlotte was founded and was nicknamed Queen City by British colonials, in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who married King George III of Great Britain. Both cities claim the title, and both can provide justification. For this reason, a Queen City Brewing can also be found in Charlotte. Queen City Brewing of Cincinnati, however, has no ties to any of these other breweries.

Queen City Brewing of Cincinnati was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2016 by brothers Mike and Marquis Wofford, Jason Surniak and a silent partner. Mike was visiting Marquis in Colorado Springs, where he was stationed with the Air Force, and as the two were barhopping they thought it would be a fantastic way to make a living. Surniak, a home brewer who met Mike while working at Enterprise, became the head brewer and COO. As early as 2014 the group was searching for a location, and attempted a kickstarter which was unsuccessful, so they funded themselves. After a year they found a location in the suburb of Blue Ash. Their space was a little over 3200 square feet in a building shared with other businesses. The brewery started with a three-barrel system and four three-barrel fermenters, and added 4 more fermenters the next year.

They took down a wall to turn two rooms into a 1,200-square-foot tap room, with room for about 100 people. Its look is simple, incorporating items that draw on Cincinnati iconography and history. The brewery had five flagship beers at launch: a black IPA, citrus IPA, scotch ale, nut brown and oatmeal cinnamon stout. There are are also rotating seasonals. Beer was initially sold only in the brewery, with plans to add limited distribution. While the brewery doesn’t offer food except for a couple of snack items, nearby McAlisters Deli and Cazadores Mexican Restaurant can deliver food to patrons. In addition to beer, the brewery offers foosball, darts, giant Jenga, a digital jukebox and televisions.

Queen City Brewery of Cincinnati's 7 Hills Highlander is a scotch ale is not barrel aged; rather the scotch flavor comes from the combination of grains, providing some burnt smoky flavors. It is smooth and easy to drink and is not heavy like some scotch ales. The blend of Perle and Centennial Hops creates a subtle earthiness with some floral and spice notes.