Blown keg during a growler fill

So if I voiced my concern to HF about my reluctance to pay(especially full price) for what I felt was an inferior product they would have a big problem with that? I've had bartenders look at me crazy when I ask if a keg is close to blowing because I don't want to be in that position. I'm not trying to get free beer, I'm trying to get the beer I want to pay for.

 

When it happens at my store I offer the option to the customer, dump it, fill it from a second keg(if applicable), or take what there is at a discount. In nearly 3 years, I have yet to dump a single growler if that offers any insight in to the general attitude towards this. I've actually had a few people ask to have it blended with something else on tap.

 

If ballast point is filling from the bottom with a hose (if they aren't, they should), the foam gets pushed out as the growler fills. Add that to the fact that most growlers that blow when they are half full push beer (and thus any remaining air) out the top, it makes me doubtful that oxygen pickup is an issue.

Filling beer without a hose (like you would a glass) could create an issue like you mention since the beer is basically spurting through air. Most pints I pour that blow either go down the drain or in my belly. FYI I don't usually pick up an oxidation problem, more common is the carbonation issue I mentioned earlier which does affect the mouthfeel and aroma, thus affecting flavor.

Whatever, is a customer wants a different growler I think it is perfectly OK to ask for it.

 

You are one of the very good ones sir. I'm sure your tips and overall quality of life reflect this as well.

 

Right, this is what Hill Farmstead does, and I have zero problem with it. I'd rather my growler be full, personally.

 

This region to region caveat is an important one. In my neck of the woods offering alcohol below cost will cost you your liqueur license, and could be the case in other areas as well.

 

Well to me if there's less C02 my palate detects what it must imagine to be 02. I'm glad you agree with me about the overall customary gentlemanly conduct that governs our civilized actions in society.

 

Many thanks, you don't even have to tip me(we actually ask that you don't, it's a grocery store).

 

Yeah, NJ has the same prohibition against selling below cost, but makes an exception in this situation:

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Did they use a tube to fill from the bottom? I've seen 95% full growlers reduced to a mess of foam if a keg blows through the fill tube. If there is no fill tube being used then it doesn't nearly do as much damage foaming wise. I'm not sure how much that effects the final quality of the pour if it is then topped off within a minute or 2 after the keg is changed. I would imagine the fill tube explosion of foam would release a lot of the co2 in the beer resulting in a slightly less carbonated growler in theory, but whether you could actually tell the difference in taste from one filled regularly I doubt it.

As far as the sediment comments.. correct me if I'm wrong or temporarily having a brain fart, but kegs using a dip tube take the beer from the bottom of the keg meaning sediment would come off in the first few pours, not the last few, right? (Assuming the keg hasn't been overly agitated before being connected)

 

How would the beer be inferior? If you are that anal about your beer sitting for a minute while they put on a new keg then it's pretty ironic you are getting a growler in the first place.

 

Haha that is the best (most scientific) way to figure things out if I say so. Where are you in Az?

 

I still see it happen all the time, although I have no problem with getting 1/2 from one keg and 1/2 from another, but if its the last of the beer, it still happens regularly.

If also seen "discounts" for beers that were 90% full when it blew. Im fine with 50% off for 90% of a pint.

 

At my store, we give the customer the same options that Squatchito mentioned. Discount on what is in growler, pour it out and pick something else. In KY, only brew pubs can give away beer and that is limited to one per day per customer.

We can never give away beer to a customer.

The only times I have poured it out is if it kicked with less than 25% filled. When a keg blows, a totally new beer goes on. We dont have room to stock multiple kegs of each beer.

We try to estimate the yield on each keg but it is an inexact science at best. We price based on 80% yield. Sometimes we get more, sometimes less. I look at it about once a week and if I know a keg will blow soon, I pour our employees a sample or two.

 

or the second mouse gets the cheese

 

Wow the craft beer community really has turned into a bunch pretentious wine snobs.....

 

Right in the armpit of Mesa AZ cause my rent is super cheap(mother's basement). We have several fine beer bars in Scottsdale,Tempe, Chandler within a pretty short walking/riding/falling distance. I would be delighted to chaperon a cordial gathering of likened minds in a true Confederacy of Dunces style tour of our quaint dustbowl. I realize that you, being from California, probably already visit here frequently to stock up on our cheaper goods and laugh at the plebs.

 

We certainly learned how to pay wine prices...

 

Ain't that the truth.

 

Yeah - I always liked that half glass of foamy, FREE beer when it happened. But with a growler fill, I'm not sure what the concern is.