Today’s Tap Handles vary greatly in size, shape subject matter. You have to be different if you want to stand out amongst the tap selections in the tavern of today. Although tap handles vary greatly, most can be found at beer shows or sales for $5.00 – $20.00, depending on the brand or brewery. They are usually made in significant numbers, and can be found with a little legwork-check online sites, local bars and distributors.

But the Older Taps are what I collect, and these are called “ball knobs”. These are about the size of a golf ball, with a threaded base and a flat, circular disc advertising the brand of beer on the face. They can be made of metal or celluloid and are usually colored. These were used from the end of prohibition (1933) into the mid 1950’s and were required by law. Some of the prominent manufacturers include Green Duck, A. H. Robbins and the Daka Ware brand. There were metal and celluloid faces used on ball knobs to advertise the brand or beer. I also buy and collect these tap knob faces or discs if you find them. Ball knobs range in price from $25-40 for common examples up to hundreds of dollars for rare and obscure brands. They were also used as gear shift knobs by hot-rodders back in the day.

Whether you’ve found one in Grandpa’s basement, have a few dozen from a former co-worker or have an old collection-we’d love to have the opportunity to add them to our collection. (And, they are small, so our wives will never notice if we add a few new ones!)