Excitement brewing at TAPS withreturn of two Brew Crew’ veterans
Duo to add new ales and lagers, tap into other innovations; oversee release of 2015 Remy’s Pappy
TAPS Fish House & Brewery, famous for its fine food and European-style beers, has tapped the talents of two former members of its “Brew Crew” to expand its offerings of award-winning ales and lagers.
David Huls has returned to TAPS as director of brewery operations, and Kyle Manns has been named brewery operations manager. Huls most recently developed Barley Forge Brewing Co. in Costa Mesa; Manns was head brewer at Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim.
The duo will pour their talents into enhancing and expanding the fine beers served at TAPS, which debuted in Brea Downtown in 1999, and TAPS Fish House & Brewery in Corona, which opened in November 2007. They also will provide beers for the new TAPS Fish House & Brewery scheduled to open in Irvine this spring.
“Our guests can expect new and exciting things from these expert beer makers, while continuing to enjoy our popular lineup of award-winning brews,” said Joe Manzella, TAPS proprietor and founder.
“We are thrilled to have David and Kyle back with their fresh ideas, boundless energy and innovative ideas,” Manzella said.
One of the duos first responsibilities for 2015 is overseeing the release of Remy’s Pappy, a highly coveted barrel aged beer sold in 750 ml bottles that had its first release in February 2014 and quickly achieved cult status. Created from TAPS classic Russian Stout, rested for 15 months in old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon barrels, just over 1,000 bottles will be available later this month. Half of the release will be available through El Cerrito Liquor and MarketinCorona where it will sell for $34.99; the other half will be available at TAPS and Lillie’s Q in limited availability.
In their new positions at TAPS, Huls and Manns plan to:
* Create an in-house laboratory at TAPS Corona to enhance quality control
* Take barrel aging of beers to the next level. Huls and Manns have purchased 100 aged barrels including new oak, rum, mezcal and wine.
* Create novel styles of packaging, including 750-ml bottles.
* Begin providing variations of brews in kegs that have been dry-hopped, fruited, spiced, fermented or dispensed differently in order to extend the array of offerings within the restaurants.
* Expand with different beer styles in small production and limited runs, such as Berliner Weisse, Farmhouse Ale, Red-Rice Sake Ale, Imperial Pilsner, Oatmeal Pale Ale and a rare Oyster Stout — a full-bodied stout with a hint of brine.
Huls and Manns also will provide hand-crafted beers to the other two restaurants in Manzella’s mini-empire of popular and thriving dining establishments, The Catch in Anaheim andLillie’s Q in Brea.
TAPS’ classic styles of ales and lagers, lovingly produced in the traditional European manner from the finest hops and malts from England, Germany and Belgium, along with choice domestic hops, have won numerous awards at various national, state, and local beer competitions.TAPS Fish House & Brewery customers still will be able to enjoy the classic lineup of Belgian White, Biere de Garde, Blanche de Conundrum, Bohemian Pilsner, and Bouffon Ale brews.
Together, Huls’ and Manns’ creations have received a total of18 medals at GABF(Great American Beer Festival), the premier U.S. beer festival and competition. Manns was aboard at TAPS when the restaurant won Best Brewpub Group for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012 as well as when the restaurant medaled at the prestigious World Beer Cup.
Huls began his brewing career in Texas and has 15 years of professional brewing experience.A graduate of the American Brewers Guild, he has been involved in the construction and opening of four breweries, including Gordon Biersch. The Trabuco Canyon resident is an active member of the Brewers Association and Master Brewers Association of America.
Manns, of La Habra, has six years of professional grain-to-glass experience, includingdesigning and building a brewery from the ground up. The former music engineer has won 11 medals at the Great American Beer Festival and has held brewing positions at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.
For more information about TAPS please visit www.tapsfishhouse.com. TAPS is found on social media at https://www.facebook.com/TAPSRestaurantBrea and http://instagram.com/tapsfishhouse
TAPS Fish House & Brewery is a celebration of seafood, hand-cut steaks and award-winning ales and lagers handcrafted in the European tradition. A connoisseur’s wine list recognized by theWine Spectator showcases a variety ofwines. The restaurant, privately owned by founder Joe Manzella, offers a choice of fine dining or the more casual, comfortable bar-lounge; a 20 seat oyster bar, multiple patios and private dining. TAPS is known for its popular Sunday Brunch. The original TAPS debuted in Brea Downtown in Orange County, California in 1999; a second location serving the Inland Empire opened at The Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona in 2007. The Catch in Anaheim is a sister restaurant of the organization. Lillie’s Q, a partnership with renowned barbecue Chef Charlie McKenna, opened in Brea Downtown in December 2014.
