Tap Handle #871: ReaperAle

2/06/2026 03:09:00 PM

Tap Handle #871: ReaperAle

Tap size: 10"

Rarity: 25 or less seen, brewery closed, hand-made

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

The ReaperAle tap (yes it's one word) is equal parts creepy and awesome, and is another addition to the Bill Gibson wing of the Museum. Featuring a hooded visage of the Grim Reaper, he holds a scythe over his head, ready to reap souls for the underworld. At the top is the name of the brewery in sculpted, raised white letters. Below the reaper figure is a signage area for the beer variety. Just above that, in very small red letters are the words, "Do You Dare?" Unfortunately most of these taps suffer from the shrinking resin/cracked & peeling paint issue, and mine is no exception. It's uncertain when this was first produced, but it was likely around 2005-2006 when ReaperAle had switched contract brewers and was winning medals at competitions. The taps first appeared on the secondary market around 2005-2006, which corresponds with the estimated first production dates above. The price has fluctuated quite a bit, from a low of about $40 for earlier ones to a high of $375 in 2023. The last one sold in 2024 for about $250, and another hasn't been seen since.

ReaperAle was founded in March 2000 by Erik Taylor and Todd Kendrick in Foothill Ranch, California. The company initially began as an online merchandise venture, selling beer-themed items featuring the dark, mystical image of the Grim Reaper. Complete with original artwork, storytelling, and macabre aesthetics, the ReaperAle.com website generated thousands of hits and far exceeded sales expectations during its first year of operation. In spring 2001, the three original styles of ReaperAle - Deathly Pale Ale, Redemption Red Ale, and Mortality Stout - began appearing on retail shelves throughout Southern California. The beers were contract brewed by Bayhawk Brewing Company of Orange County, California. All beers were packaged exclusively in 22-ounce bomber bottles and kegs.

By 2003, ReaperAle was sold through distributors in 4 states (California, Nevada, Kentucky, and Georgia), with first-quarter beer sales exceeding the entire previous year's gross. Arizona, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey were targeted for future expansion. The company expanded its brew festival schedule and began appearing throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado. The core lineup earned consistent recognition at state and regional competitions: Deathly Pale Ale won gold medals at the California State Fair in 2001 and 2002, along with a 2005 Gold Medal at the LA County Fair. Mortality Stout received multiple gold certifications at California competitions, and Redemption Red Ale earned gold at the 2005 LA County Fair.

At some point, contract brewing operations shifted from Bayhawk to Green Flash Brewing Company in San Diego, most likely around 2006 when Bayhawk's parent company (Nor'Wester) was failing. The lineup eventually expanded to 6 styles, adding Sleighor Double IPA (a 9.1% ABV Imperial IPA released as a holiday seasonal), Ritual Dark Ale (an 8.5% ABV dark strong ale), and Inevitable Ale (a 7.1% ABV strong blonde/golden ale). The company received regular inquiries from military bases, movie studios, broadcast radio, and numerous social and charitable establishments who wanted to receive distribution of bottles of ReaperAle.

In April 2007, ReaperAle announced a "brewing hiatus." Green Flash had grown so successful that they no longer had capacity to continue brewing ReaperAle's products. ReaperAle sought new brewing facilities and investors to establish their own production operation. From a statement made on their website, the brewery said that they regretted that there would be an outage of product, but they felt it was necessary for ReaperAle to continue long term, and that having their own facility would give them needed control over their product and business so that could finally realize their full potential.

However, ReaperAle was unable to raise the capital to start their own facility. Instead, they found a different contract brewer after Green Flash, although the identity of ReaperAle's third contract partner could not be found. When it hit its peak in 2008, ReaperAle was distributed in 8 states with 4 additional states waiting to sign up. The brewery ultimately ceased operations in 2010, with no reason attributed to closure. It's possible that there were capital issues, problems with the contract brewer, or both (based on what the brewery had been previously struggling with), but that is purely speculative.

ReaperAle's Deathly Pale Ale was an American strong pale ale with a complex blend of citric fruitiness and floral overtones and a pleasing dry hop character. It poured pale golden with a light creamy head and intensely fruity nose. The character was of delicate malt with a biscuity flavor and a hugely bitter, citric hop finish. This was an award-winning beer, taking Gold Medals at the 2001, 2002, and 2005 California State Fair; a Gold Medal at the 2005 LA County Fair; and First Place at the 2003 El Dorado Blues & Brews in Reno, Nevada.