Tap Handle #868: Three Monkeys

1/08/2026 01:11:00 PM

Tap Handle #868: Three Monkeys - Brown Barrel Ale

Tap size: 13.25"

Rarity: 10 or less seen, brewery closed

Mounting: 3/8" oversized gold ferrule

The Three Monkeys tap handle depicts the three wise monkeys of ancient Asian lore, stacked vertically, each demonstrating the classic "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" poses. The bottom monkey covers its mouth, the middle monkey covers its eyes, and the top monkey covers its ears. The figures are rendered as realistic chimpanzees, with black hair on their bodies and tan/flesh-toned faces, hands, and feet. Each monkey sits on the shoulders of the one below, creating a totem-like arrangement. The base is a green circular platform, under which sits a large gold ferrule. At the top, a square placard allows the placement of a label for the brewery name and beer variety, neither of which appears anywhere else on the tap. The first tap was seen on the secondary market back in 2014, but was most likely commissioned when the brewery was officially launched with their trademarks approved in 2013. Only 7 or 8 have appeared since then; prices were typically in the $125-$165 range, with an all-time high of over $300 back in 2017. A couple sold in 2025 for $15 and $25, but they did have some damage. You have to go back to 2021 to find one intact, and it sold for around $125.

Three Monkeys Brewing was founded by Michael Tate and Craig Meacham, who met in late 2008 while working together during the economic downturn. Their conversations turned to investing in something that could connect with people, and Meacham brought forward artwork he had created decades earlier for a potential music business logo featuring two monkeys. After researching the ancient "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" symbolism dating back centuries in Asian cultures, they expanded the concept to Three Monkeys and decided to launch a craft beer company. Tate had a background in home brewing dating to age 16, and the pair began brewing on Meacham's 20-acre property in Mariposa, California. They connected with Devil's Canyon Brewing Company in San Carlos, where owner Chris Garrett, master brewer Michael Hall, and brewer Matt McDougall helped them develop their commercial recipes and learn the contract brewing process.

Three Monkeys made its commercial debut in 2009 at Chukchansi Park Stadium, home of the Fresno Grizzlies, serving five beers: American Pale Ale, Brown Barrel Ale, Gold Monkey IPA, Red Monkey Irish-Style Ale, and Tres Vaqueros Amber Ale. The trademark was filed in August 2010 and the company was formally established in October 2013. Operating exclusively through contract brewing and retail distribution, Three Monkeys built a presence in California retailers including BevMo!, Costco, Raley's, Save Mart, Total Wine, Albertson's, Vons, and Grocery Outlet, eventually reaching over 180 locations. The brewery also attended more than 150 festivals and events across California and Nevada, and began exporting to Australia.

Three Monkeys earned recognition with Brown Barrel Ale winning a silver medal at the 2010 Lallemand International "Brain of Brewers Contest," defeating entries from Devil's Canyon, Firestone Walker, Lost Coast, and Stone. Additionally, in 2015 they won a Bev-Star Gold Award for Brown Barrel Ale, and in 2016 a Bev-Star Bronze Award for Tres Vaqueros Amber Ale, which they marketed as "America's First Mexican-American Style Amber Ale." During its run, Three Monkeys produced 10 different beer varieties including seasonals.

In October 2018, Three Monkeys announced an equity crowdfunding campaign seeking $1 million for 40% equity to build a 30-barrel brewhouse and taproom in a federally designated Opportunity Zone, but the effort failed to materialize. However, the brewery was still having beer produced, with festival and podcast appearances as late as 2020. A second crowdfunding attempt through Wefunder in August 2021, promising investors 6% of quarterly revenues, also failed. The brewery's trademark was cancelled in December 2023 for failure to file the required 10-year maintenance documents, confirming the company had ceased operations. There was no media coverage of the closure to be found, so the exact reason for the shuttering of the brewery is unknown. Their website (a Wordpress blog) is still in existence but has not been active for quite some time.

Brown Barrel Ale was an American brown ale and the brewery's most decorated beer. At 5.8% ABV and 25 IBU, this traditional nut brown ale was brewed with North American 2-row malt, Victory malt, brown malt, wheat malt, chocolate malt, and roasted barley, then hopped with Cascade, US Goldings, and Hallertau Mittelfruh. The result was a well-balanced, medium-bodied ale with notes of chocolate and caramel and a slight hop finish. The brewery did not pasteurize their beers, leaving a fresh, wholesome character.