Blown keg during a growler fill

Happened to me once at a local bar called Cicero's. Keg blew about 1/3 of the way in. Bartender poured most of what was in the growler into a rather large glass and said "here, have a drink on me while I get the kegs switched out." He switched the kegs and filled up a new clean growler for me, it was definitely a good experience.

 

Never had this happen on a growler but it has happened on a pint pour, got half way and kicked, they swapped the keg and filled the glass.....I didn't think there was anything abnormal about that.

*shrugs shoulders*

 

So drinking Heady from the can to preserve the precious hop oils from oxidization makes perfect sense, but having a keg blow on you turning half your growler into an oxidized mess is A-OK. For shame Beer Advocate...FOR SHAME!

 

With unfiltered beers that blown keg pour is usually a yeast milkshake.

 

A better post workout drink than any protein powder!

 

The bottom of the keg is all spit. Don't drink it.

 

The thing is, you should feel insulted, but since you don't they get to treat you like a rube no questions asked. Half a pint is not worth keeping you waiting for the beer you just ordered. They should have given you the half pour to see if it was still palatable and if so its on the house while the bartender changes out the keg to get you a proper pour. This way no beer is wasted, your time is not wasted, and the bartender gets to not look like a penny-pinching prick.

 

I've always had that experience with pints. Never saw it happen to a growler yet, but I don't see why it would be any different.

 

How does the keg blowing oxidize the beer?

 

Actually, when the keg blows it is CO2 (and maybe some N2) getting forced into the beer . What will oxidize a growler is not filling it all the way (leaving air in the head-space). I wouldn't recommend taking a half filled growler home, free or not.

Now, you could debate that the beer in the growler will lose carbonation when the keg blows if it causes excessive foaming, but in my experience it isn't usually a problem.

 

The thing is, money is changing hands for a product here. If the keg is getting low, don't fill growlers if you are going to feel the need to charge people for the last foamy remnants. There is definitely a perceptible difference in an IPA from a blown keg, IMO. In the OP's case, I'm definitely not paying good money for half a growler full of lesser product, especially when they have it on another handle. If Ballast Point didn't understand, then they don't know beer as good as they think they do.

 

I think you have noticed the difference between big business and small business. Used to be such a thing as a bakers dozen. Or the local chinese restaurant would throw an extra egg roll in your bag because you come there every week and they recognize you. That measly couple of ounces is like a mild apology for your having to wait while they go and set things up again. You should not have half old beer, half new beer in your glass. Call me old fashioned. These are pleasantries. The things that make a local pub friendly. It's like asking how are you, even if you don't really care.

 

Contrary to popular belief, growlers actually contain oxygen inside. When your keg blows and the beer turns to foam, a lot more surface area comes into contact with this "oxygen" creating what is known as a "shitty" flavor, or muting the otherwise "good" flavors in the beer.

 

Agree to disagree I guess.

 

I always drink the beer when my keg kicks at home...never had this happen with a growler though.

 

Maybe if you did a side by side with a blown keg vs. a regular pour? To say there is no difference is asinine.

 

I've always thought that people get the free pour if that same beer is not available after the keg kicks. I don't see why you can't continue the fill especially if the same beer is on two taps and you can switch to the other. Places like HF who are basically pouring growlers nonstop all day can lose a lot of money that way.

I've seen crazy sediment kick up at the end of lawson's kegs. More than my own homebrew that usually gets no cold crash before racking to the keg.

 

Regardless of one's feelings regarding the quality of the product, there's a difference between getting half of a 16 oz pour for free while a bartender sets up another keg vs. switching to another tap that's already set up for a 64 oz growler fill.

 

I just feel the difference would be fairly negligible, especially depending on how the growler is filled. I would be willing to guess that an overwhelming majority couldn't tell the difference if they were did a side by side.

 

If you are ever in AZ we need to go bar hopping, blow some kegs and get this shit sorted out! Cheers my brother.