Kurt from Off the Chain Brewstillery in Grand Haven, Michigan reached out to Knockout Designs to create custom tap handles that felt authentic to the brewery’s identity and strong enough to live both behind the bar and at various local bars and restaurants. Off the Chain is known for blending brewing with bicycling culture, so these custom tap markers needed to feel mechanical, tactile, and on-brand.
The Knockout Designs team began the process with a 3D-printed plastic prototype, finished in gold, to establish the proportions, balance, and overall presence of the handles. This early version allowed Kurt and the team to visualize how the handles would feel and how they would stand out on a crowded tap wall. Once the prototype was approved, our team moved into production with a sturdier wooden tap handle version, painted in a rich metallic gold that added weight, durability, and a more refined finish while keeping the industrial edge.
The top of each custom tap handle features a gear shape, representing a bike and the “Off the Chain” name. The team applied the Off the Chain Brewstillery logo using a decal, keeping the branding consistent. Just below the logo, we intentionally designed an open space where the brewery can insert beer names, making it easy to rotate offerings without replacing the entire tap handle.
The tap handle shaft is an authentic rubber bicycle handlebar grip. This was not only for visual purposes but about the feel. The grip adds texture, comfort, and a cycling reference, making each use feel connected to the brewery’s theme. To support both environments, Knockout Designs produced two sizes: 10 tall tap handles for the Off the Chain taproom, where height and presence matter most, and 10 smaller versions for local distribution, perfect for behind bars. Together, these custom designed tap handles are durable, flexible, and represent Off the Chain’s identity.
