Tap Handle #877: Ellison Brewery + Spirits

3/12/2026 09:19:00 PM

Tap Handle #877: Ellison Brewery + Spirits

Tap size: 11.25"

Rarity: 25 or less seen

Mounting: oversized 3/8" ferrule

East Lansing Capitol

On the heels of one building themed tap (Blue Ridge Steeple Stout being the profile prior to this one), comes this one from Ellison Brewery + Spirits. The tap is a physical representation of the state Capitol building in East Lansing, Michigan (see inset right), which is in turn modeled after the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. At the top of the tap is a round sign that bears the brewery's name and emblem. On the front of the tap is an area for labels. The final feature to point out is an oversized ferrule. I have reduced the number of photos taken because the front and the back are identical to each other. This tap is extremely affordable; it was originally available from the brewery for $35 back in 2016, but was retired a couple of years later. On the secondary market, the price has ranged from $15-$50. The price had been trending up, hitting an all-time high of $52 in 2024, however, the next day it sold for an all-time low of $12, and as of the time of this writing was the last one sold.

Ellison Brewery + Spirits was founded in 2015 in East Lansing, Michigan by Aaron Hanson and Eric Elliot. The name "Ellison" combined the founders' surnames (Elliot + Hanson = Ellison). Elliot later departed to pursue other interests, leaving Hanson as sole owner. The brewery operated from a 30,000-square-foot facility, tucked in an industrial park off Grand River Avenue near Okemos. Hanson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who grew up in DeWitt, Michigan. Before launching Ellison, he worked as an automotive engineer, holding positions at Yazaki North America, Mahle Powertrain, and IAV Automotive Engineering. He studied mechanical engineering with a focus on automotive and mechatronics at Lawrence Technological University, where he led the Formula SAE team. Early BeerAdvocate reviews noted the brewer brought experience from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, one of Michigan's most respected craft breweries. His engineering background showed in Ellison's methodical approach to brewing - Hanson describes himself as someone who "focuses on the details."

The brewery grew rapidly. In its first year, Ellison produced just a couple hundred barrels. By 2016 that jumped to 1,200 barrels, and by 2017 it reached 3,300. In April 2018, the Brewers Association named Ellison one of the 50 Fastest Growing Craft Breweries of 2017 - one of only two Michigan breweries on the inaugural list. Products were distributed across more than 700 retail locations throughout Michigan. Ellison expanded beyond East Lansing twice, with mixed results. In November 2019, it opened a second location at 501 Madison Avenue in downtown Indianapolis, near the Rolls-Royce Meridian Center and Eli Lilly campus. That location closed permanently in July 2022; Hanson cited the COVID-19 pandemic and diminished downtown foot traffic from remote work. A third location in Lansing's REO Town district - housed in the last remaining REO Motor Car Company building, later used by the Michigan National Guard and Quality Dairy - opened in February 2023 after years of planning and renovation. It closed less than a year later on December 30, 2023, due to insufficient profitability.

Ellison continued to operate solely from its original East Lansing brewpub, running a 20-barrel brewhouse. The lineup spanned lagers, amber ales, pale ales, IPAs, stouts, sours, and fruity ales. Notable beers include the Tiramisu coffee stout, Relativity Imperial IPA, You Can Get With That…JUICE (a New England IPA), Crescent Fresh IPA, and various bourbon barrel-aged releases available to mug club members. The brewery also distilled its own vodka, gin, rum, and bourbon on-site. Beyond beer and spirits, Ellison expanded into a family of brands: Ellivate Coffee, Ellison Dry Rubs and Sauces, Activ Brewing (non-alcoholic beer), Ellison Artisan Soda, and Liberty Fuel energy drinks. The taproom serves wood-fired pizza, burgers, and other homemade food, with a pet-friendly patio.

In Italian, tiramisu means "pick me up." Inspired by the coffee-flavored Italian dessert, Tiramisu Stout is a rich, full-bodied stout that aims to do just that. Ellison infuses the beer with cocoa nibs, vanilla, and locally roasted coffee, packing it with deep, dark espresso character and notes of dry cocoa dust. The result is a dessert-style stout that has become a flagship beer and local favorite at the East Lansing taproom.