Tap Handle #699: Andrews Brewing Company

September 29, 2018

Tap Handle #699: Andrews Brewing Company

Tap size: 12"
Rarity: less than 10 seen
Mounting: 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

I love this tap because of the nostalgic feel it has. The lettering of the name of the brewery, along with the color, reminds me of old motel signs or diner signs with that distinctive 1950s-1960s look that you can still find in many towns across America. The woman at the top, with her hair pulled back and wearing a one piece brown bathing suit, also evokes that feeling of nostalgia. The tap does not have labels but instead is used for all of the brewery's beer varieties, so I have chosen to profile their Leatherwood Red. As a nanobrewery with little to no distribution, these taps were not made in great numbers so they are not easy to find unless you know where to look. The price has been fairly inexpensive on the secondary market.

Click through to read more about Andrews Brewing and to see more photos of this classic tap...

Andrews Brewing Company was founded in Andrews, North Carolina in 2013 by Eric and Judy Carlson. The husband and wife team had owned and operated Calaboose Cellars, a tiny winery located in the town’s first jail, since 2006. Calaboose Cellars winery was said to be the smallest freestanding winery in the country at only 300 square feet. After talking it over with Judy in 2012, Eric decided to add a small brewing system on one side of the winery, obtaining permits for a nanobrewery producing 20 gallons at a time, and taught himself how to brew. Beer was sold only at the brewery, with no distribution, and most of the seating was located outside.

By 2016 Eric had implemented a slow expansion process, acquiring a 9,000 square foot building a few blocks away and moving all of the brewing there. The site was formerly an old A&P grocery store and already contained a cold room, dry storage and floor drains. A brewmaster was hired and Eric focused on installing an automated system. Over the summer, Eric built a stage in the yard and hosted a few bands. Future plans include installing a new tap room and slowly expanding production. Currently the brewery keeps six beers on tap at all times, sold by the pint or in half gallon growlers.

Andrews Brewing's Leatherwood Red is a red ale that is named after the mountain behind the brewery. This beer was rated Third Best Scottish Ale at the 2017 NC Brewers Cup. It is soft and earthy with subtle fruitiness and features Perle and Hersbrucker Hops.