Craft beer & "growlers"....I'd like some help, please

[CanuckSARTech]

Hey all,

I'm not much of a beer guy. I like my rums, and maybe the occasional pint of Strongbow. But now and again, I just get a hankering for good unique beers. Now, my beer fridge is always stocked with the "essentials" for when friends or family come over: usually, some bottles of Coors Light, Alexander Keith's IPA, Sleeman's Honey Brown, and Rickard's Red and/or White (sometimes Blue Moon as well).

But, I've recently been getting into trying out some unique microbrew / craft beers, being that there's actually a fair bit of offering for that here on the east cost of Canuckistan.

With that, I'm looking at "growlers". They're cost efficient, and a nice way to try varied types of draught beer - the best kind, IMO (I hate beer in a can).

So, for anyone versed enough, please share what you can about growlers. I've been seriously looking at a real nice and heavy duty ceramic growler from Portland Growler Co., found here: https://portlandgrow...oop-satin-grey/ ; and also the ones from Carlburg Pottery also, http://www.handmadegrowlers.com/, specifically the standard logo one shown in the center of the last photo at this link: http://laughingsquid.com/beer-growlers-by-carlburg-pottery/. But, at $65 (plus shipping) at least for the Portland Growler Co. one, it's a fairly expensive piece of kit to throw down on, yet I'm wondering if it's worth it in the long run, for quality and other reasons when compared to the standard brown glass screw-top varieties that are standard-fare at most places. Everything I've seen says to steer clear of the clear glass versions (and I understand why, due to "skunking" - I was a bartender for a while years back, so I understand how that works). But that the standard screw-top brown glass ones are nice to get into it with, but that you need to take it up a notch if I'm thinking long-term (in both usage, longevity of the container, and quality of the contained environment for the beer as well).

So, any tips, ideas, reviews, etc. - please share.

Very much appreciated. Cheers.

[mazolaman]

Those growlers look cool.

I like the concept, as bottled beer here is good, but is different from the tap beer.

Like you, I'm not keen on tinned beer...as for the micro brews..I'm a sucker for the Pales and IPAs that are fashionable at the mo.

[Colt45]

Apart from aesthetics, I don't see one being better than the other - unless you would be storing the growler exposed to direct light, in which case the ceramic might have the edge. Screw caps are used for all kinds of products, and again, I don't see the hinged stopper type as having distinct advantage.

Darker color would be better if, as mentioned above, you would be storing exposed to light. If storing in a dark place, fridge, etc, it would matter less. In many if not most cases, beer is meant to be drunk fresher versus aged for long periods. The ceramics do look pretty nice, though.

1. Go to brewery, fill gowler with beer of choice.

2. Cap growler, take home.

3. Open growler, pour beer into glass, drink.

4. Repeat until growler is empty.

Start again at step 1.

[canadianbeaver]

What a fascinating story! First I had to look up what a growler was. I love special micro- brewed beer.

Then I looked for some in Halifax and I found this: http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/121158-rogues-roost-biggie-brew-to-go

Looks terrific and I am sure there are lots more. Enjoy!

[CanuckSARTech]

Thanks for the feedback so far, folks! Keep it coming!

Lisa, yeah, there's a few places, and that article about Rogue's Roost is one of them (most expensive for the growler and refills also). There's also Granite Brewery here in Halifax, as well as Garrison Brewing Co., which has some phenomenal stuff and is right down by Pier 21.

[BrotherBear]

What a fascinating story! First I had to look up what a growler was. I love special micro- brewed beer.Then I looked for some in Halifax and I found this: http://thechronicleh...ggie-brew-to-goLooks terrific and I am sure there are lots more. Enjoy!

Lisa (and Toronto crew), if you're into beer and are looking for something a little different, check this out...http://www.blackcreekbrewery.ca/

[ckearns]

Keith, here's a cheaper alternative (about 3/4 down the page):

http://toronto.millstreetbrewpub.ca/content/retail-store-beer

Next time you're in town grab one and it should do the trick. Plus the money you save from not buying the designer model can be spent on additional libations. Let me know if you'd like one snail mailed.

[CanuckSARTech]

Keith, here's a cheaper alternative (about 3/4 down the page):

http://toronto.mills...tail-store-beer

Next time you're in town grab one and it should do the trick. Plus the money you save from not buying the designer model can be spent on additional libations. Let me know if you'd like one snail mailed.

Thanks Conor. I can indeed get that style right here in Halifax too (see here: http://www.garrisonbrewing.com/show/growlers/, and thank you for sharing the above regardless - very much appreciated), but I've had different people tell me that the simple screw-top versions are very lackluster in helping to keep the beer fresh. That it will maybe only stay 1 to 3 days in a fridge, whereas one of the heavier-duty ones with that latch-down lid will keep things fresh and tasty for up to 2 weeks.

That's really where my deliberation is.

[Colt45]

..... I've had different people tell me that the simple screw-top versions are very lackluster in helping to keep the beer fresh. That it will maybe only stay 1 to 3 days in a fridge, whereas one of the heavier-duty ones with that latch-down lid will keep things fresh and tasty for up to 2 weeks.

Keith, purely for the sake of discussion - I wonder how so? Wine with screw caps. Olive oil with screw caps, etc. I think the amount of air within the vessel is more of a factor...

[CanuckSARTech]

Keith, purely for the sake of discussion - I wonder how so? Wine with screw caps. Olive oil with screw caps, etc. I think the amount of air within the vessel is more of a factor...

Great question, Ross. And that's a huge part of why I decided to put my original question/post out here for the community. I'm hoping that since we have such a cigar / BBQ / liquor / etc. aficionado community, that someone might be able to epouse one way or another for that.

I'm thinking (just a thought), would it maybe have to do with carbonation of the beverage? That usage of that screw top over time would lead it to be less able to retain a seal under pressure? I'm not sure one way or another. I done be lost.

[Colt45]

I'm thinking (just a thought), would it maybe have to do with carbonation of the beverage?

If screw caps allowed escaspe of air, I guess that might hold true..... twist off crown caps seem to do pretty well You could probably buy extra screw caps for short change, if it's a worry.

Go ahead and buy the ceramic hinged stopper top growler - you know you want to.......

[BrotherBear]

Go ahead and buy the ceramic hinged stopper top growler - you know you want to.......

DING DING DING!!!

Keith isn't looking for advice, he wants an enabler! LOL

[Colt45]

Keith isn't looking for advice, he wants an enabler! LOL

Or perhaps a reason to ask for permission......

Dear Mrs. CST,

Our friend Keith would like to purchase a fancy Lil' brown jug for bear drinkin' - we hope you'll allow him to do so. If you think he'll be drinking from it along with his friends, please also purchase a washable plastic bib for him.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ken Gargett.

[CanuckSARTech]

LOL. Close, but no cigar.

Now, if I could get RUM in a growler from a microbrew nearby.....

[ckearns]

That it will maybe only stay 1 to 3 days in a fridge, whereas one of the heavier-duty ones with that latch-down lid will keep things fresh and tasty for up to 2 weeks.

So this is a gift for your wife...

[CanuckSARTech]

So this is a gift for your wife...

Yup. Burned! LOL.

[boomerd35]

I've been getting into growlers lately. I don't know if the cost savings is all that much. Craft beer varies in price, and I never remember to crunch the numbers when getting a growler of something I normally get in bottles. But it is just more enjoyable to pour a glass of beer from a growler. It's more of an experience then just popping a bottle cap.

[Tarks]

Growlers are not really meant for long term storage so I wouldn't get too hung up on spending lots of money on one. I have plenty of 2 litre glass growlers that I use for my home brew. I keg all my beer so growlers really come in handy when I want to bring some of my beer to a party.

You say you hate beer in a can but don't judge a beer because its in a can. There are plenty of great craft beers out there that are in cans. Surly comes to mind.

Cheers

[Rogers72]

Growlers are a neat concept and I bought into the hype about a year ago. After filling it a few times, I quit using it much. The way the market is where I live, there are no cost savings for a growler. Typically for premium craft beer, you are going to spend $12 to $20 USD for a 64oz growler. You can get the same beer in a six pack (72ozs) for much less money ($10ish). Not only does a 6pack contain more fluid ounces and is cheaper, it stays fresh longer. Typically, my growler is not as fresh the next day if I don't drink it all and is definitely flat two days later. I gave up and stick with bottles. If I want draft, I go to a pub.

[Jefferson]

LOL. Close, but no cigar.

Now, if I could get RUM in a growler from a microbrew nearby.....

Canuck, as long as the growler you choose keeps the carbination in you should be good. I've got a micro brewery down the street from me and you either drink their brews there, or take it home in a growler. I have both flip top and screw on and they both work well. of course since the place is so convienient it doesn't sit in the fridge long.

[Roanoke]

Growlers are a neat concept and I bought into the hype about a year ago. After filling it a few times, I quit using it much. The way the market is where I live, there are no cost savings for a growler. Typically for premium craft beer, you are going to spend $12 to $20 USD for a 64oz growler. You can get the same beer in a six pack (72ozs) for much less money ($10ish). Not only does a 6pack contain more fluid ounces and is cheaper, it stays fresh longer. Typically, my growler is not as fresh the next day if I don't drink it all and is definitely flat two days later. I gave up and stick with bottles. If I want draft, I go to a pub.

I think you nailed exactly my issue here. The volume is too large to drink before it goes flat.

I've mostly stuck with bottles thus far but I have to say I've tried cans recently and I'm becoming a convert. No noticeable metallic taste on the few I've tried recently. More experimentation is warranted!

[CanuckSARTech]

Okay, thanks gents.

I'm just gonna go for a standard brown-glass growler from a local microbrew here. There's four different places right here in Halifax apparently, so it'll be worth it to try some of their stuff out.

For us here, the cost advantage is definitely worth it. Depending on the microbrew, it's $9-$11 for a growler, and then $8-$14 for a fill. And then, microbrew or not, we're looking at $16-$18 roughly for a six-pack of some of that stuff. So it can definitely be worthwhile in the long run, especially when trying unique microbrew stuff, as that can get prohibitively expensive if purchased in normal six-packs.

And Tarks, for me, it's not about what's available in a can or not. But I can taste a huge difference in something that's been in a can, versus in a glass bottle. Strongbow, in a can versus in a bottle, that's one that's got a HUGE noticable difference for me. But I can taste it in regular beers too. That aluminum taste is definitely there in the liquid, and it's a big turn off for me.

But, I'll give the glass growler a go then. At $9 or so, it's definitely worth a try!

Thanks for all your input, gents!

[Fosgate]

This might be a little late but I'll cash in with my brewing experience. You could start with an extract home brew kit. With this kit you buy the extract in a kit rather than the longer process of extracting the sugars from the raw grain. Lots of brewers started out with a Mr. Beer kit and still use it on occasion even though they have thousands of dollars invested into all grain brewing setups. I myself am an all grain brewer but I have also tried many of MR. Beer kit beers that were really good. Warning though it is addicting and you will probably want to move up into creating your own recipes and eventually start all grain brewing yourself some day. Good supply stores include http://www.midwestsupplies.com/ and http://www.midwestsupplies.com/ where you can find anything beer related. Austin is quick and their shipping is cheap.

http://www.mrbeer.com/category-exec/category_id/139

[TiminBC]

Perhaps buy a second hand capper? We only have growlers just under 2L so I am unfamiliar with the concept of needing to return it to the fridge :}

[GoJohnnyGo]

Beer in a can is great! Each one serves as it's own little mini-keg.

Now that I've gotten that out.

It looks like you already made your decision and I think you'll be very happy with a standard growler. I've got a few different styles and none seems significantly better than the others.