Tap Handle #601: Big Rock - Rhine Stone Cowboy Kolsch

Tap size:  11.5"
Rarity:  less than 10 seen, readily available, hand-made
Mounting:  standard 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

In the world of tap handle design, no piece of footwear appears on a tap handle more than the cowboy boot. Anheuser-Busch has one; Coors has a couple different versions, one of which appears here in the Museum (profile #576). Big Rock has placed one as a part of this Rhine Stone Cowboy tap, rather than making it the sole focus. This makes the boot smaller than the Coors or A-B versions, but here the aesthetics are much nicer. The boot sits on a large sign with the name of the beer in raised letters on it. At the base is the Big Rock logo, also appearing as sculpted letters. On top of the base is a chicken; the chicken figure or symbol is found on many of the newer Big Rock taps. The back of the tap is a reverse image of the front. The tap is not classified as an import, since Big Rock distributes the beer in Canada but not the U.S. When the tap does appear on the secondary market, the price has been very reasonable.

For more about Big Rock Brewing, see this post.

Click through to read more about Big Rock's Rhine Stone Cowboy and to see more photos of this kickin' tap...

Rhine Stone Cowboy is a Kölsch style pale ale. All natural and batch brewed, it combines the winking swagger of German Hallertau hops with the harmonic note of sumptuous home-grown pale and Vienna malts. This is an ale that wants to be a lager...the brewery uses a special Kölsch ale yeast fermented at lager temperatures and leave it to mature for months. It is light in body and appearance, with aromas of clean malt and fruit, and a touch of noble hops. Recommended food pairings are lighter foods like salads, fresh fruit, or white meats like pork, chicken, or fish. It also contrasts nicely with spicy Mexican food.

Ratebeer weighted average:  2.63 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  no score