1. You need Untappd for Business. Get a demo, get a $25 gift card. It's that easy.
    Dismiss Notice

What's your favorite beer tap handle?

Discussion in 'Breweriana' started by jgluck, Jan 30, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 4
  1. jgluck

    jgluck Initiate (0) Apr 19, 2012 California

    I love beer taps. Whenever I walk into a bar/pub and see a Russian River tap handle – or any other great beer tap – I feel good inside.

    I also have collector tendencies, so rather than hoarding beer, I started collecting tap handles a couple years ago. Not only do taps rekindle positive memories, but they also display well as works of art.

    I buy tap handles based on how I enjoy the brewery, the specific beer, and the tap handle’s artistry. Even though detailed figural taps like Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale are attractive, I do not have positive associations with the beer, and I have no interest in adding the tap handle to my collection. On the other hand, most Russian River taps are very boring, but I would love to own one. Sometimes breweries make an awesome tap for a really good beer – I particularly like the Jai Alai figural tap, Shakespeare Stout, and Pranqster.

    So what’s your favorite beer tap handle, and why?




    Here’s a recent pic of my display above my desk at work:

    [​IMG]

    http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q679/gluck_jeff/jgluck_beer_taps_2013_01_30_zpsb040a02c.jpg

    P.S. I purchased most of these new, directly from the brewery. Some I was given by other collectors, and some (such as those the brewery wouldn’t sell me) I purchased through various internet marketplaces.

    P.P.S. This is my first real post on BA, and I thought that I’d post in the general discussion forum because you don’t have to be a collector into Breweriana to appreciate tap handles for great beers!
     
    #1 jgluck, Jan 30, 2013
    jeffjeff1, BarrelAndZachary, Ish1 and 13 others like this.
  2. 4kbrianb

    4kbrianb Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2013 California

    awesome collection buddy! I have a whopping 4 tap handles, but always have my eye out for a keeper. Like you, I want them more if I enjoyed the specific beer or brewery. I hope I can add to my collection over the coming year or so. Awesome display also. I was drawing up a design of something I could build out of repurposed pallets for my handles and various things that take up space on my garage walls.
     
    #2 4kbrianb, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  3. LankFreudRyte

    LankFreudRyte Initiate (0) Mar 13, 2008 Illinois

    Forget your favorite tap handle, my favorite bottle cap is FFF. Sorry, that's another topic.
     
    #3 LankFreudRyte, Jan 30, 2013
  4. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Right now I have one, from Lagunitas, for my kegerator. It has a Daytime sticker on one side and Sucks on the other. I'm not sure I'll ever need another...
     
    #4 stupac2, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  5. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    I like the Pliny the Elder tap handle because the font they use is super awesome.
     
    #5 leedorham, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck and stupac2 like this.
  6. bccocx

    bccocx Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2007 Texas

    I'm a big fan of the Jester King taps:
    [​IMG]
     
    #6 bccocx, Jan 30, 2013
    shahn, Dontcounttoday, jgluck and 4 others like this.
  7. tectactoe

    tectactoe Pooh-Bah (2,386) Mar 20, 2012 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I like Bells tap handles. All the same stem, but with a different ball on top for each beer. Simple, yet recognizable and distinguished. Boom.
     
    #7 tectactoe, Jan 30, 2013
    JulianB and jgluck like this.
  8. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,842) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nice collection. You keep glassware at work? ....do they get used at work??

    What's the brewery handle that's directly behind BR Hop Rod Rye?

    Though I almost never order it, I like some of the HobGloblin tap handles, just off the top of my head
     
    #8 jbertsch, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  9. mjshearer1

    mjshearer1 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Michigan

    That is awesome. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while with Founders' taps, but at $25 a pop, that's taking a dip into my whale funds.
     
    #9 mjshearer1, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  10. thebigredone

    thebigredone Pooh-Bah (1,654) Dec 19, 2011 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Dark Horse Double Barrel Shotgun Tap Handle is pretty sweet.
    [​IMG]
     
    #10 thebigredone, Jan 30, 2013
    MMAJYK, PapaGoose03, ChugLife and 7 others like this.
  11. ant880

    ant880 Savant (1,179) Nov 7, 2010 New York
    Trader

    Nice collection there! I have these 4 on my little basement bar (none of these are my pics)
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    #11 ant880, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  12. SeaOfShells

    SeaOfShells Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2011 California

    I came here to say Pranqster. It's a great handle.
     
    #12 SeaOfShells, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  13. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    DFH Pimp Cane!
     
    #13 EyePeeAyBryan, Jan 30, 2013
    MMAJYK, Imstillthegman, joetouchton and 1 other person like this.
  14. TheBeerAlmanac

    TheBeerAlmanac Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2011 Kentucky

    I like Wells Banana Bread because it looks virile and phallic.
    [​IMG]
     
    #14 TheBeerAlmanac, Jan 30, 2013
    JxExM, leedorham and semibaked like this.
  15. dap325

    dap325 Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2009 New York

    I love the simple nature of the Hill Farmstead tap handle.

    Unibroue has a badass golden dragon tail tap handle but I can't find a picture of it.


    The Angry Orchard one is pretty cool too..

    [​IMG]
     
    #15 dap325, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck and ant880 like this.
  16. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    I was trying to find a good angle shot of the Laughing Dog tap handle but couldn't. When viewed from behind they are rather phallic.

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 leedorham, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  17. WassailWilly

    WassailWilly Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2007 New York

     
    #17 WassailWilly, Jan 30, 2013
    dap325 and jgluck like this.
  18. DaveAnderson

    DaveAnderson Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2011 Minnesota

    I've always liked the Goose Island goose head handles, but the Ommegang are probably my favorites. I could totally see a line of pool cues themed on the Ommegang handles, perhaps because of this Richard Black classic.
     
    #18 DaveAnderson, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
  19. walterfredo

    walterfredo Savant (1,032) Nov 22, 2011 California
    Trader

    During the Midnight Sun Brewery tour, you get to drink some beer from this tap handle.

    [​IMG]
     
    #19 walterfredo, Jan 30, 2013
    jakecattleco, BeerKangaroo, WassailWilly and 1 other person like this.
  20. EnronCFO

    EnronCFO Pooh-Bah (2,021) Mar 29, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I always like Haverhill's shoe tap handle.
     
    #20 EnronCFO, Jan 30, 2013
    jgluck likes this.
Page 1 of 4
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.