This article provides a basic guide to Beer Growler use and why it is great for transporting and enjoying beer. A growler will hold 64 ounces, enough to fill four 16 ounce pints.
I’m still catching up on how to procure craft beers due to COVID-19 restrictions and the rules are different in each state. I found three growlers in the garage last weekend and quietly muttered “can these even be used right now?” Anytime I ask myself a question, I have a tendency to look at the past and then try to plan for the future. Research is needed to see if growlers can be used in the current COVID-19 environment.
I joined the craft beer geek party on 12/6/09, when I cracked open a fresh bottle of Stone Brewing Ruination IPA. I took a large swig and my tastebuds said “give me more of that stuff!” The more bitter the better was my motto and a new hobby was born that continues to this day.
I purposely avoided buying any growlers due to their size and still learning the craft beer market. That perspective changed significantly when I walked into Georgetown Brewing Company’s (Seattle, WA) taproom in November 2011, and was surprised to be standing in a 7-11 store full of fresh beer in pre-filled growlers. My arm was twisted to purchase (i.e. deposit) the growler glass for $5.00 and I walked out with a growler of Lucille IPA and a growler of Manny’s Pale Ale.
Rookie Growler Use – Mistakes
Now that I was educated on growler size (64 fluid ounces), dropping off empty growlers for newly filled growlers and handing over my credit card to complete the purchase. Finally I was ready to buy my own growlers for filling at other breweries/taprooms/bottleshops. I procured a growler from Twelve Bar Brews in Woodinville, WA (subsequently closed in 2018) and a growler from Foggy Noggin Brewing in Bothell, WA during March 2012.
I thought I was smart and prepared with my two growlers to visit some breweries. Promptly I started with a stop at Black Raven Brewing in Woodinville, WA in April 2012, that turned into a valuable learning lesson. Back then I ordered one growler to be filled with Trickster IPA and the second growler to be filled with Totem Pale Ale.
The bartender took both growlers, removed the caps and smelled the inside of each growler….which led to a five minute lecture on how I need to keep my growlers clean prior to filling. That conversation felt like I was sitting in an elementary school principal’s office, and being told how badly I messed up and not to do it again unless I wanted time in detention.
1. How to clean the Growler:
- Use really hot water
- Rinse growler completely out 2-3 times
- Rinse growler cap 2-3 times
- Place growler upside down to allow drainage and air drying for 1-2 days
- Don’t put the cap back on
- NEVER bring a dirty growler back to a brewery for filling
I followed the above listed cleaning steps diligently and received a fair share of compliments from bartenders. I’ve had countless growler fills at numerous places until 3/6/20. That was the last evening I got three growlers filled and three howlers/barkers (32 fluid ounces) filled with fresh beer from four separate locations. Too many red flags were popping up with Covid sanitization procedures at restaurants and breweries on the local news channels, which caused me to immediately shift to buying cans, bottles and crowlers of craft beer for the last ten months.
I’ve had friends use growlers during 2020 without any issues, but I haven’t seen anyone use them at the myriad of places I’ve purchased beer at.
2. How did the growler get its name and when was it invented?
The word growler dates from the 19th century. Back then fresh beer was carried from the local pub to the customer’s house, in a small galvanized pail. As the beer would slosh around in the pail, there would be a “growl” sound coming from the lid as carbon dioxide escaped, hence “growler” was born.
The growler was invented by Charlie and Ernie Otto of Otto Brothers’ Brewing Company in Wilson, Wyoming in 1989.
3. Where can you buy a growler?
Most if not all breweries/taprooms/bottleshops sell growlers with their logo pre-printed on the glass or stainless steel. Numerous “high end” growlers are made by Stanley, DrinkTanks and GrowlerWerks. Amazon always lists numerous growler options to choose from.
4. Beer Growler Use is Easy?
It is extremely easy to use a Growler for Beer, here is a set of steps for use:
- Thoroughly clean the growler and cap
- Take the growler to a brewery or taproom that offers fills
- Pick beer to fill growler
- Pay for beer
- Drink beer at home with family/friends
- Thoroughly clean the growler and cap
5. When to drink the beer inside the growler?
Beer is best consumed 1-2 days after the growler is filled but could hold 5-10 days depending on how well the cap is sealed. Total Wine locations have a special Growler Station sealing machine / pouring method to ensure maximum freshness. Depending on the State some of these capabilities are on hold due to COVID-19. Beer Growler use can considerably enhance the ability for getting limited access beers or the freshest pours and both are best consumed sooner.
After opening the growler to begin drinking, resealing the cap will keep the remaining beer fresh for about 24 hours. Have a game plan if you’re playing solo because 4 glasses of beer can be quite a lot considering many of the special beers have a higher alcohol content.
6. Are growler caps reusable?
Yes unless they lose their seal or start to get discolored on the inside. If the cap is lost or missing most establishments will provide a new one.
7. Which vessel types are best for Beer Growler use?
This is a personal preference due to two material options: glass or Stainless steel. Glass is cheaper but always has a chance to break when dropped and stainless steel is more expensive but lasts longer and has no chance of breaking.
I’ve been lucky to use numerous glass growlers and one stainless steel growler made by Stanley (Classic Easy-Pour Growler) over the past 8 years. Hands down the stainless steel growler is my go-to beer vessel for bringing beer home. This is due to sealing, keeping the beer cold, pouring and ease of cleaning. It is the Cadillac of my beer transportation vessels.
COVID-19 Considerations
I still haven’t used any growlers for beer fills since 3/6/20 due to Covid restrictions and I’ve purchased too many crowlers to keep count. Crowlers will be discussed in an upcoming blog posting. I’m still contemplating when to use growlers again during Covid restrictions. Pre COVID-19 I proudly used a “growler on board” carrier to transport 1-3 growlers in my vehicle.
Breweries/taprooms/bottleshops are currently using several different methods for filling growlers in Washington state. Some aren’t allowing them at all, some are filling them as long as they are sanitized, some are only filling new growlers on site, some are trading out old/used growlers for a freshly filled/new growler. Georgetown Brewing Company growler program started and is currently operating today with weekly sales of 2000+ growlers. Their growler return program works due to an affordable price point and they make awesome beers.
Best advice for anyone wanting to use a growler for beer fills during Covid restrictions, is to contact the venue you are headed to for their current practice. If you show up and know their filling procedure, there’s no surprises and no chatter/photos/comments from other patrons. All beer geeks need to look out for each other during Covid. Take it one beer at a time in a safe and healthy manner.
Wondering what beers to try? Check out our Winter 2021 10 Beers to try posting.
Enjoy the beer journey and keep it classy everyday!
(The above article makes use of an affiliate link provided by Amazon. A small commission may be provided to the author but no additional cost to the consumer).
