Tap Handle #878: Rocky Run - Big Gut Pale Ale

Tap size: 13.25"

Rarity:  10 or less seen, brewery closed

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

This is the second Rocky Run tap I have acquired, and unfortunately it is the last one I am able to profile at this time. There were at least 3 other taps, but they are almost impossible to find and have eluded me thus far; that it mostly because Rocky Run only produced 10 of each of their taps. Longtime tap collectors often have Rocky Run taps on their wish lists, and some consider these "grail" taps. Many thanks to Mr. Bill Gibson for sending this one my way for inclusion into the Bill Gibson wing of the museum. It features a fat man with his big gut sticking out, hence the name of the tap and the beer. The man is holding a mug of beer, which will probably lead to an even bigger gut. And if that wasn't enough, we're treated to a bit of plumber's crack on the backside of the tap. The glossy black base is standard for Rocky Run taps. An unusual feature is that the signage with the name of the beer appears on the backside of the tap but not the front; the brewery's name does not appear on the tap. The ferrule is standard size but the top has a flared out lip. Overall the tap is massive, standing at around 13.25' tall with some hefty weight to it. As I mentioned earlier, these taps are incredibly hard to find. I saw another one of these once in a private collection, and one on the secondary market, but in looking back I couldn't find the tap, nor any price data for it, so the current value is a mystery.

For more about Rocky Run Brewing, see this post.

No description or rating could be found for Rocky Run's Big Gut. The only previous site with a rating is Ratebeer, but that site no longer exists. The lone tasting note I found was from BeerMelodies, which describes Big Gut Pale Ale as having "diacetyl cornmeal-biscuit-y" character. The same reviewer considered it "run of the mill."