Tap Handle #129: Skull Coast - Maelstrom

This was originally #15 on my first wishlist, and I was all too happy to obtain it. The design is fantastic, from the skull & crossbones on the top to map of the Carolina coast on the base. Just a really appealing tap, and I love it. The reverse side has no label, but is designed so that a different one can be put on it, so you just reverse the tap to make it a different variety. Great design! I can't make up my mind whether I want Gallows Point, Sea Witch, Scallywag, Dubloon, or Black Bart on it.

Skull Coast Ale Company was founded in 2009 as an LLC in Fort Mill, South Carolina by Dave Fox. Homebrewing became a creative outlet, and the brand was born in a small Charleston library after looking at a local map drawn in the 1700's, during the Golden Age of Piracy, with the words "Skull Coast" etched along the Carolina coastline. Without the investment dollars needed to start his own brewery, the Skull Coast Ale Company contracted with other breweries to produce its beer recipes, and marketed the products under the Skull Coast name. After months of recipe development and searching for a brewery to contract with, Fox brewed Skull Coast's first beer (Maelstrom IPA) on St. Patrick's Day, 2010, in Virginia. Traveling back and forth between South Carolina and Virginia to brew and transport kegs caused Fox to seek out a second contract brewing relationship closer to home. Unfortunately, every Carolina brewery Fox approached was at or near capacity. In the first of its kind contract model, Fox purchased his own 60bbl fermenter and bright tanks, and placed them in another brewery. Experimenting with innovative twists on established styles, his recipes have lead Skull Coast to being courted by distributors in 18 states & counting.

Maelstrom IPA’s very name and style comes from the Sea. Tall ships on long voyages needed a big beer with a hearty backbone and pounds and pounds of glorious hops. Maelstrom IPA is a brilliant whirlpool of 7 different Northwest hops expertly melded together to create a powerful pint. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 3.39 out of 5.

Skull Coast Brewing Official Website