Charley from Dreaming Creek Brewing in Richmond, Kentucky contacted Knockout Designs looking for a custom tap handle design that reflected the brewery’s identity and craftsmanship. Dreaming Creek Brewing has been serving the Richmond community since 2018, creating a welcoming destination where friends and families can gather over locally crafted beer. Their vision for a new distribution tap marker was simple and timeless, highlighting the brewery’s logo while celebrating the year their journey began.
Our collaboration started with a conversation about the many materials and manufacturing techniques available. We explained that Knockout Designs creates custom tap handles in laser engraved wood, painted wood, plastic, and metal, each offering its own unique look and feel. After reviewing the options, Charley chose a shaped wooden tap handle with laser engraving, a design that perfectly complemented Dreaming Creek Brewing’s natural, handcrafted brand.
The brewery’s circular logo, featuring a tree, became the focus of the design. Knockout Designs carefully shaped the rounded top of the wooden tap handle to frame the logo, allowing the detailed laser engraving to highlight every branch and line with clarity. “EST 2018” is engraved down the center of the handle, commemorating the year Dreaming Creek Brewing first opened. The wood handle provides a warm backdrop that enhances the contrast created by the laser engraving while giving the handle a handcrafted appearance.
Before production began, the Knockout Designs team created a detailed rendering so Charley could visualize the finished product. After reviewing and approving the digital concept, we manufactured a prototype sample for hands-on evaluation. This stage allowed Dreaming Creek Brewing to confirm every detail, including the overall shape, engraving quality, and the addition of a ferrule connector at the base for a secure, professional fit on draft systems. Once the sample received final approval, the team moved into full production, manufacturing 50 custom tap handles for distribution. From the first rendering to the final production run, this project reflects how thoughtful design and careful collaboration can transform a functional tap handle into an extension of a brewery’s vision.
