Tap Handle #822: New Orleans Lager And Ale (NOLA) - Funk

Tap Size:  12.25"

Rarity:  50 or less seen

Mounting:  internal 3/8" nut

NOLA's Funk tap has a cool vibe thanks to the choice to roll with a what at first glance would seem to be a disco theme, but it actually goes deeper than that. Due to the fact that NOLA Funk is not actually a beer, but a category of beers, this tap is used for all beers in the NOLA Funk Sour Series. The name "Funk" serves a dual purpose here: not only does it aptly describe the "funkiness" of a sour beer, the city of New Orleans is also the birthplace of the 60's and 70's musical style known as Funk. From the star shaped glasses to the pork chop sideburns to the big purple and white collar to the red/orange/yellow flowing banner, everything about this tap screams "Funk!" Instead of profiling a beer variety, I'm going to provide a description below of the Funk series from the brewery itself. This tap was first produced in 2014. Most NOLA taps used to be available in their online store, but a recent visit to their website shows that their merchandise is no longer sold there. This has driven prices for NOLA taps up considerably on the secondary market. Taps like NOLA Funk have gone from available (and affordable) to now hard-to-find, with prices jumping from below $50 to currently over $100. I can't say for sure that the tap is no longer produced, it could be that they simply aren't for sale anymore.

"At NOLA Brewing, we loved sour beers before they were cool. They’ve long been among our favorite beers to drink, and Derek Lintern, our Brewmaster and Director of Funk, has been brewing them for years. While not for everyone, the popularity of sour beers has grown worldwide. At NOLA Brewing we are super proud of our distinct and unique wild ales we call our NOLA Funk Series. With a true barrel-aged sour program we have received accolades and awards for these distinct beers that take years to mature."

For more about NOLA Brewing, see this post.