Tap Handle #772: Rebel Mettle

February 15, 2021

Tap Handle #772: Rebel Mettle - Gas Pump

Tap size: 11.5"

Rarity: less than 10 seen

Mounting: 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Rebel Mettle Brewery owner Mike Brown for selling me not one, but two different taps produced by the brewery (the second will be featured in the next post). This first tap is what Mike referred to the "Gas Pump" tap. It is intended to evoke the imagery of a snake wrapped around a gas pump. The brewery's name appears as a round, sculpted sign on the top of the tap and is attached to the base with a metal rod. The top half of the base features the words "fortune favors the daring", while the snake wraps around the lower half of the base. The Gas Pump tap is not attached to any one beer (I'll be profiling Volume, their dark Juniper Schwarzbier). Rebel Mettle is a fairly new brewery, so the tap has not appeared on the secondary market.

Rebel Mettle was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2020 by Mike Brown. After spending 12 years in The United States Air Force and getting “medically retired” in 2014, Brown was unhappy with his career options. He got a corporate job but it just didn't feel right and was a poor fit, and after looking at Cincinnati's long and storied brewing history, he thought that if others could open and run a brewery successfully, he could too. The name Rebel Mettle was inspired by a combination of Brown’s personal experiences: a conversation with a friend and fellow veteran about “testing his mettle” on a mission together in Iraq, and a handwritten letter from his mother on his 36th birthday about his rebellious spirit.

Brown located a building in downtown Cincinnati in an area known for its mansions, shops, opera house, and proximity to the Ohio River, as well as its Italianate and Renaissance architectural style and engineering, all of which led to the area being recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. He zeroed in on the historic location because it felt like an incredibly good fit due to its diversity, women-owned businesses, community, and people. Brown's mission for the brewery is for it to be a place where everyone is welcome, creating a warm, authentic and hospitable environment that celebrates opportunity, justice and freedom, and people can put aside their differences and celebrate what they have in common. The two-story, 17,000 square foot industrial site that he chose was a former parking garage, with garage door windows that can be raised to connect the inside and outside, an open view of the bar from the second floor, and walking distance to the city’s downtown attractions and Paul Brown Stadium. The main floor consists of a large open seating area, the bar, and classic arcade and pinball machines. Behind the bar, the brewing and barrel fermentation process is visible.

Brown wanted to be a trend setter in craft lagers, and the majority of the brewery's offerings are centered around approachable, bottom fermented beers that are malty and light, although they do offer other styles such as a chocolate milk stout, a German-style pilsner, and a Bockbier, among others. In total there are 11 different brews on tap, including three flagship beers. Food is also available via QR codes at tables that link to nearby Rusconi’s Pizza, with a menu designed specifically for the brewery. Customers are also encourage to bring in their own takeout orders from neighboring eateries, and delivery drivers can bring food directly to the brewery. Rebel Mettle is family friendly; in additional to the arcade and pinball, there is also ski ball and ping-pong.

Despite the challenges of opening during COVID, the brewery is well positioned for success once life returns to normalcy. The brewery’s focus on lagers should attract both craft and macro beer drinkers, and its close proximity to Paul Brown Stadium and the Duke Energy Convention Center, along with a lot of nearby residential density, will make the place a popular destination on game days and other high-traffic events. Currently the brewery goes to great lengths to sanitize the site - even closing on Mondays as an extra, dedicated "sterilization day" - and enforcing social distancing. Rebel Mettle plans to package and distribute three of its beers to retailers in the coming months.

Rebel Meetle's Volume is a German style dark beer is packed with high frequency juniper berry notes that will amplify any occasion. You have been warned, volume is anything but quiet.