Tap Handle #631: Dogfish Head - Firefly Ale

Tap size:  13"
Rarity:  Special Event/Seasonal
Mounting:  3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

I was infatuated with this tap when I saw that it lights up. Upon receiving it, I was a little disappointed in the execution. The lights are motion activated, so if you are using the tap on a kegerator, when you pour your beer, the tap illuminates for about 15 seconds and looks beautiful. However, if you are displaying the tap on a fixed base on a shelf, you'll be disappointed by the fact that it will be impossible to light up the tap since it can only be illuminated through the motion sensor. I'm tempted to tear it apart to remove the motion sensor and put a switch in. The tap is solidly made...the base of the handle is steel and houses the battery compartment behind a magnetic plate. The shark and back piece are both made from acrylic, so the leds underneath cycle through shades of green and blue and illuminate the acrylic. I took the first set of photos with the tap unlit; the second set of photos are darker in an attempt to display the illumination feature. The last photo shows the battery compartment and special battery holder that fits into the compartment. Although the tap is limited due to its seasonal status, enough have been produced to make them readily available. This is the second Firefly Ale tap produced; the first featured a jar with fireflies inside, but did not light up and has been out of production for a few years now.

For more about Dogfish Head Brewing, see this post.

Click through to read more about Dogfish Head's Firefly Ale and to see more photos of this illuminating tap...

Firefly is an English-style pale ale brewed with Marris Otter barley and English heritage hops. To add a fruity and citrusy aroma, there’s a late addition of American Calypso hops. "Firefly" is a big 3-day music festival in Delaware, and Dogfish Head is the official craft beer of Firefly, so to celebrate this growing East Coast extravaganza, they created Firefly Ale, a sessionable pale ale for festival-goers. Recommended food pairings are wings, four-cheese pizza, spicy fish tacos, and hummus plates.

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.33 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  85 out of 100 (very good)