Beer Taps and Tap Handles for Your Home Bar

Home Bar Essentials

Stan Schubridge — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:54:37 +0000

Put down the cracked pitcher and step away from the tilting card table. You aren’t an amateur beer enthusiast, so why should your space look like you are? If you are a serious beer lover, or just want an amazing place to entertain friends, you need to create a home bar. Bars in the living room may be mostly a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t convert your basement, loft, den, or attached garage into a brew aficionado’s paradise.

When you are planning your home bar, there are certain essentials you should keep in mind. Of course, some are more “essential” for some people than others, but they can represent the ultimate goal. Taking an empty or underused space and translating it into a home bar takes some dedication, but the results are far worth the work. After you have decided where the physical bar will be you can begin to think of the equipment and details that will bring the room together.

The Home Bar Master List

A kegerator lets you pull your own draft beers just like at the pub. There are models that hold one brew, but some have triple taps that let you keep three different beers on tap at all times.

If you don’t want to purchase a kegerator but have an extra refrigerator, a kegerator conversion kit can allow you to take that refrigerator and make it the perfect kegerator for your home bar.

Not everybody loves beer, and even those that do like to mix it up every now and then, so if you are planning to host people in your new bar frequently you can add liquor dispensers. These come in various forms, from the bar top carousel type to wall mounted versions that put the bottles on display and make them easy to dispense.

There’s no point in filling your home bar with your favorite microbrews and top shelf liquors if you are going to resort to the old red plastic cups when it comes to serving. Bar worthy pitchers and glassware, including logo glassware, let you imbibe in style. Some breweries even release special glasses created specifically to enhance the flavor of certain styles of beer.
Every bar needs some entertainment and a fun way to get in on one of the biggest trends in drinking games is to have your own beer pong table. You can follow the tournament regulations or create house rules, but offering such a table in your space invites guests to relax and enjoy themselves.

Details make the bar, so pick a few decorations that will bring the room together and give that air of nostalgia that everyone loves in their favorite neighborhood bar. A perfect choice for such a detail is beer signs. Whether you choose tin signs for the memories, or neon signs for the realness and humor, signage is a great way to ensure you are totally immersed when you step into your home bar.

The Rapid Rise of Belgian Beer

Stan Schubridge — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:54:03 +0000

Many countries are renowned for their beer culture: the Czechs have their pioneering Pilsner, the Irish have their bestselling Guinness, the Germans have their froth-filled steins and the British have their lukewarm ales. However, in the last few years there has been another European country that’s gained huge plaudits for its unique beer culture, and for its quantity of world-class brews… and that’s Belgium.

It may be one of the country’s smallest states, but Belgium is home to around 180 distinct breweries, ranging from big international companies like Stella Artois and Leffe to microbreweries and Trappist monasteries. However, unlike some of its competitors Belgian beer making isn’t a tradition that goes back for centuries and millenia… in fact, the very first Trappist brewery in the country (Westmalle) didn’t start brewing and selling until the 1860s, while brands like Stella are very much 20^th century creations.

However, that might explain exactly why Belgian beer is so different. Having been able to look at what other countries around them were doing, the Belgian monks could mix-and-match techniques and styles they liked to create unique blends unavailable anywhere else. For example, Belgium’s famous ‘amber ale’ (such as Ambrée and Speciale) is very similar to the traditional pale ales of England, although with the added touch of being less bitter, while their ‘blonde ale’ is a lighter variations on the pale ale using Czech pilsner malts. Meanwhile, Belgian ‘wheat beers’ borrow an significant amount from their German and Dutch equivalents, while ‘lambic’ and ‘saison’ beers take great inspiration from light French lagers.

This experimentation, though, has also led to Belgium producing beers which have their own particular style. For example, the ‘Dubbel’ (Double) is a highly renowned Belgian brew that is characteristically brown, heavy and fruity (and a little bitter), with a high alcoholic content of between 6% and 8%. Then there’s the Flemish Red, which is created using specially-roasted malt and matured in oak, and has a unique reddish-brown colour, plus a wide variety of fruit beers – including the strawberry-flavored Früli.

But it’s not just the beer that is distinctly brilliant… Belgian breweries are also world-renowned for the way they serve their products. Whether it’s the uniquely hexagonal glass of Hoegaarden, the tulip glass of Duval or the scientific-looking glass-and-wooden-stand combo of Kwak, almost every Belgian brewer has their own distinct way of serving up beer, which makes it quite unlike anywhere else in the world.

Yet despite all these brand differences, perhaps the very best thing about Belgian beer is the fact it can be easily brewed at home by anyone! Just search online, or in your local brewing store (if such a thing exists!) and you’ll come across a variety of suppliers selling ingredients for almost all types of Belgian beer – particularly the fruit ones – as well as kits to help make the production process idiot-proof.

So the next time you’re sipping a unique Belgian beer it could be one of your own. Just remember that, in time-honored Belgian fashion, you’ll need a uniquely-shaped glass before you really call it your own!

Joseph Reaney is freelance British travel journalist who has written articles and guides for The Telegraph, Reader’s Digest, Shoestring Magazine and various other publications around the world. He is a senior writer for Pimsleur Approach, leading retailers of language learning programs including Learn Brazilian Portuguese and Learn Japanese. You can find out more about him at josephreaney.com.

How Beer Has Bridged the Gap

Stan Schubridge — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:43:13 +0000

Beer is the most commonly enjoyed beverage. You can argue that water is, but who really enjoys water? And isn't water in everything? So, it has an unfair advantage to be honest.

The most commonly enjoyed beverage is beer and I'm sticking by that answer. You can look it up on the search engines all you want. You might find that the most commonly enjoyed drink is tea, coffee or soda. But, I'm not trying to hear that!

Being that my fact is beer is the most commonly enjoyed beverage, I have great support for why I think that and you'll soon learn that I am right. Beer bridges gaps between people. There are quite a few instances in which beer was used to bring people together, make things happen and change the world.

Obama
President Obama used beer to bring a racial incident to a halt. In 2009, when Sgt. Crowley arrested the Harvard Professor Henry Gates Jr. at his home, it hit the news as racial profiling. Well, President Obama went into action and invited them both to sit down with him and Vice President Biden for a beer.

Did the beer solve the problem? I would say the talks solved the problem. But, beer has the strange way of opening the avenues for discussion. Two guys sitting across from each other with nothing to say can soon become best friends in only a few beers. By the end of the night, they will be singing songs with each other while clanging the mugs of beer together in sheer bliss.

Prohibition
I don't know whose idea it was to start Prohibition. But, it was FDR who ended it as it was understood at the time. With the signing of the Cullen-Harrison Act which amended the Volstead Act, FDR say, "I think this would be a good time for a beer." With that declaration, Budweiser's infamous Clydesdales made the march down Pennsylvania Avenue and delivered him some.

Do I think ending the Prohibition had anything to do with beer? This one certainly did. Even the president wanted a beer! If I had been president, that would have been the first act on my agenda.

Cavemen
This fact goes back beyond recorded history. But, I recently had the chance to interview a few cavemen from those days. Their speech is mainly in grunts so they are hard to understand. For instance, we still don't know how exactly the first protocol of beer was invented. All I can get from the cavemen is that it was an accident while making the original form of what we call bread.

However, I was able to get that the first Beer Summit was actually held in a field between two warring tribes. It wasn't long after the first beer was tasted and it became the favorite beverage of the tribe that one caveman wandered over into the other tribe's camp. A beautiful cavewoman saw him and immediately the two fell in love.

This caused some strife between the two warring tribes, who presented themselves in the field for battle. The caveman decided to share some of his beer with the cavewoman and they stumbled onto the field of battle between the two warring tribes. The cavewoman's father reprimanded her, but she offered him some beer so that he could see what had started this relationship in the first place. Before long, both tribes were drinking beer and enjoying a good time on the field of battle. It became known as, "Uhh ooh ooh ah ooh Uh." Translated into English, that means, "Field of That Stuff You Have."

Now, I was able to get all that information from them but I couldn't understand what they were saying when they were telling me how beer was invented. Go figure! Anyway, beer was the end of the first war ever. That's a little known story.

Beer has been our friend since it was first introduced to our lips. It remains the go to when we have deep problems to solve. It was there when we Marines were hatched. It was there when Football strike was ended. And it's been to space! So, have a beer. There is no other beverage like it in the world!

How Beer Has Bridged the Gap

Stan Schubridge — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:43:13 +0000

Beer is the most commonly enjoyed beverage. You can argue that water is, but who really enjoys water? And isn't water in everything? So, it has an unfair advantage to be honest.

Do I think ending the Prohibition had anything to do with beer? This one certainly did. Even the president wanted a beer! If I had been president, that would have been the first act on my agenda.

How Beer Solves Most Problems and a Few Others

Stan Schubridge — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:57:55 +0000

There is no need to call the therapist every time you have issues. You'd be surprised how quite efficiently a nicely brewed beer can help you solve any problem you have. All you need to know is what type of beer will do the trick.

It boils down to only two types of beer, home brewed and store bought. I know there are plenty of beers from all flavors, categories and experiments. But in problem solving, you have to look at the escalation of the issue as it is directly proportional to the value of the beer.

Sometimes, the home brew is worth more than the store bought beer. It depends on how good it is and how long it took you to make. Also, it depends on the cost of the store bought beer. A four pack for a $1.99 will only solve a problem comparable to breaking someone's porch swing, as long as you are also offering to help fix it.

Now, store bought beer can handle quite a few problems depending on how good it is and how much it costs. If the beer you buy is worth $10 a bottle, then that can handle a problem the size of wrecking your friend's car. You'll need more than one bottle though. Be ready to empty your wallet on that trip to the store.

If you're starting to see how this works, let's start looking at some problems and deciding what type of beer it would take to get the wink of forgiveness. If you ran into your best friend and his wife at the grocery store and they were showing you their newborn baby, you'll need a case of your best home brewed beer if you laughed. You'll need two cases of your best friend's favorite if you gasped in fear.

If the problem is a small one like breaking his car window with a golf ball because you don't know how to keep it on the fairway, you'll need a few top notch glasses at the club. If you got into a fight with his cousin, it will take a few bottles of your home brew. Are you seeing how this works?

Some things are harder to forgive than others, but beer always brings you back together. Remember, your friends will always forgive you. So, don't be afraid to do what's right and offer the directly proportionate donation of beer that matches the size of the mess you made.

How Beer Solves Most Problems and a Few Others

Stan Schubridge — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:57:55 +0000

Simple but Great Home Bar Ideas

Stan Schubridge — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:02:57 +0000

A bar has always been good enough for me. But, I have heard some people complain that there's something missing or that they would like to do just a little more decorating. Well if they focused on what the home bar is actually for, they might forget all those complaints. Nevertheless, I have some ideas that just might satisfy the need to do more to your home bar.

Glass Holders

Glass holders don't have to be elaborate. But, they are easy to put up and they can take up the entire bar if you want. I have one friend who has an entire collection of beer glasses on display around his entire home bar.

The way he did it was to purchase the shelving from his local hardware store. Shelving that is about two to three feet long and comes in singles is the perfect remedy. You can put them up in straight lines or you can stagger them at various heights around your entire bar where you don't have beer signs, windows or anything else. Then, start your beer mug and beer glass collection putting collector's items all around your bar.

Rope

I'm not talking about small rope you get to tie up your horse. I mean the larger rope you get to tie a huge vessel to the mainland. It's about two inches in diameter and you need to figure out the length for yourself. It's a nice addition to a window or a mirror.

Simply wrap a length of rope around the window or mirror and you have a brand new look. Be sure to tie off the ends in knots like the sailors do and maybe even purchase some net to add to the theme. It won't hit your wallet too hard and you've just changed the face of your entire bar.

Mirrors

Yes, I have mentioned mirrors before. But, they really add a whole new dimension to a room. I love walking in stores that have a wall full of mirrors. It makes you feel like the room is twice the size. So, cover a wall with mirrors and see how much of a difference it makes.

Games

I find it hard to believe that not many people have video games in their home bars. I'm not talking about the new video games that hook up to a television. I'm talking about the free standing games that pack the arcades.

Pinball has always been my favorite. Put in a pinball machine and watch your friends come over all the time to have a beer and play a few games. In my book, that's a good thing. It all depends on who your friends are.

Put up a place for me to hold my beer and I am happy. But, some people need more than that. Using your imagination, you can come up with some great ideas that are all your own. The more unique and specialized your home bar is, the happier you will be.

Simple but Great Home Bar Ideas

Stan Schubridge — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:02:57 +0000

Glass Holders

Rope

Mirrors

Games

The Most Important Bar Accessory

Stan Schubridge — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:56:54 +0000

After you’ve built your home bar, you take a look around and you realize you’re just getting started. Now, it’s time to make it look good.

If you don’t have a budget, go wild! Add anything you like. Put a plasma screen television behind the bar. Hell, put one on in every corner of your bar.

Put beer signs, beer mirrors, a jukebox and everything else you can think of all around the joint. But, what if you are on a tight budget? What then?

Take it easy…

Do one thing at a time, or as much as you can handle.

But, what?

Learn how to make your own Beer Stein any way you want it…Beer Taps Learning Center

Foamy Draft Beer

Stan Schubridge — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:39:41 +0000

Of course, cleaning your beer lines would be the assumption you would make if you had excessive foam in the beer or if it starts tasting funny. But, that’s not always the case. Obviously, I would suggest cleaning your beer lines after every keg or as often as possible. Yet, there are other issues and performing an equipment check before you clean the hoses might save you some time.

Let’s say you find a used kegerator and it looks pretty good so you purchase the unit and take it home. The first thing you are going to want to do is clean the coils. You can do that with a dust brush mounted on a vacuum. But, the best way is to actually blow the coils with an air gun…