Tap Handle #600: Amsterdam Brewery - Boneshaker IPA
Rarity: 10 or less, readily available
Mounting: internal 3/8" nut
Here we are once again at another milestone, tap profile #600. There are some great taps coming up on the way to profile #700, but for now I'd like to turn your attention to this Boneshaker tap from Amsterdam Brewing. Although it's not my favorite Amsterdam tap (that would be the Cruiser), it's still very nice. A large radius or tibia bone makes up the entire tap. The words "Boneshaker" and "Unfiltered India Pale Ale" run up the length of the bone; at the top is a small scene depicting a skeleton on a bicycle, while the bottom features the name of the brewery. Although the tap is almost the same when comparing the front to the back, the bone is shaped in such a way to make the appearance different from each view, and so I have taken a full range of photos.
Click through to read more about Amsterdam Brewing, their Boneshaker IPA, and to see more photos of this connected tap...
Amsterdam Brewing Company was founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1986 by Roel Bramer. The company began in September 1986 as the Amsterdam Brasserie and Brewpub in a former tire re-treading plant. Bramer named his company after the city from his native Holland. A second brewpub location with a larger brewing capacity was opened as The Rotterdam in 1988. In 1994, the first location was closed, and operations were consolidated at the second location under the current name Amsterdam Brewing Company, with a focus as a microbrewery. In 2002 Jeff Carefoote purchased the brewery from Bramer, and in 2003 he purchased Kawartha Lakes Brewing of Peterborough, Ontario which produces the KLB line of beers, bringing it under the Amsterdam umbrella.
In 2012, Amsterdam Brewing relocated their operations in a planned move that coincided with the expiration of their lease. Their newer and larger facility allowed them to accommodate needed growth in production and distribution. The increased capacity also allowed them to brew larger quantities of seasonal beers and one-offs. In addition to the growth benefits, the new site offered a leading edge retail shopping experience, complete with a 40 foot by 10 foot glass wall to allow for a clear view directly into the brew house. Customers are able to tour the facility and sample from over 10 of the “made fresh daily” beers that are on tap. In addition to this, there is a 2000 square foot hospitality space that hosts events such as beer dinners, Brew Master seminars, weekly casking events and corporate bookings.
In 2013, Amsterdam Brewing returned to its roots and opened a brewpub on the Toronto waterfront called the Amsterdam Brewhouse. The facility focuses on small, fresh batches of specialty brews for the 900-seat restaurant/pub and its beer-inspired menu. The location also functions as the brewery’s Toronto core retail store, and hosts feature tastings, educational tours, beer dinners, special events, and a 300 person summer patio on the lake. In 2015 the brewery had to recall cans of their Sweetwater Squeeze Blood Orange Radler due to the risk of the cans rupturing. Amsterdam currently has 9 core beers and also brews seasonal and special varieties, including their Adventure Series of brews, featuring beers such as a Berliner Weisse, a Smoked Porter, a Pale Ale, a Barley Wine, and a sour cherry Imperial Stout.
Amsterdam Brewing's first batch of Boneshaker was brewed for a local IPA challenge. Their brewers poured copious amounts of hops into the brew, balanced it out with over 4 different malts, decided to leave it unfiltered it and allowed to naturally carbonate. Expect fresh grapefruit and pine aromas followed by massive hop flavor. Boneshaker won a gold medal at the 2014 Canadian Brewing Awards and a silver medal at the 2011 Ontario Brewing Awards.
Ratebeer weighted average: 3.58 out of 5
Beer Advocate: 86 out of 100 (very good)
Amsterdam Brewing Company
45 Esandar Drive
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4G 4C5
Source Material
I would love to have this tap handle to put as my shifter in my 1927 model T called the bone shaker.
ReplyDelete