Does anyone actually like growlers?

I really enjoy 32oz growlers personally. They are Big enough I can be satisfied after drinking and also small enough I can drink on me own in one sitting. 64oz can be rough on a solo person, well depending on the beer

 

Don't always assume the kegged beer is "fresh." Bars can and do, have kegs of IPA sitting in the back room for months.

 

I'm no avid growler-drinker, but that doesn't sound right at all.

I know the varying state and local laws are convoluted and inconsistent at best, but I'm pretty sure you don't need brewery-specific growlers. Some breweries may enforce their own rules on that, but that's their prerogative. You shouldn't need dedicated storage space in your home for a few growlers.

Anyone who charges $10-$15 for a standard 32oz or 64oz [empty] growler is ripping you off. That's not the growler's fault. When you're talking about the fancier European-style swing tops, they can get a little pricey.

I don't buy growlers all that often, but I've never had an issue enjoying one several days after filling, with no notable loss of "freshness". Of course there are variables involved with the place/person filling it.

In a perfect world, I think we'd all love to be able to find uber fresh bottles or cans of our favorite local beer, but that's not always practical. Growlers are a great alternative, and they're popular for a reason.

 

There's a great point-counterpoint in the current issue of Mash Tun Journal about the usefulness and viability of growlers - just Google it to find the story.

For me, I'll only do a growler when I know the beer is going to be consumed within hours of filling - i.e. going to a party, cookout, etc - and when I'm sure there won't be any beer left over. What I really dig is the howler - 32 ounce versions that go by other names, I think. Perfect serving size for one person for an evening or afternoon.

 

Those are some double-edged reasons. I believe Shaun Hill has set some edict against growler fills of his beer... at least in NY.

 

Yeah, it sucks, but I enjoy going to the brewery anyway.

I could have used any seven of literally a hundred great beers that I can only get on tap or in growler to illustrate the point, growler being the only option for home since I don't have a kegerator.

 

Those other beers would have illustrated the point better () since that list brings to light that Shaun Hill probably has his reasons for being anti-growler when Hill Farmstead isn't doing the filling. Perhaps quality assurance?

 

I love HF beers, and if a growler was my only option to obtain them I totally would do it, however those beers are significantly better bottle conditioned.

 

The obvious advantage to growlers is that they are best for sharing within a short time with a group of people that would otherwise be the equivalent of several cans or bottles. Small breweries that can't afford to can or bottle can still sell growlers, and it's an effective part of any "support local" movement for those who are into that.
I like growlers from my local breweries for parties, group hangouts, etc.

 

Lionshead, Genessee Bock Beer, etc.

 

If I could be satisfied drinking Genny Bock, which I drink and enjoy, and some other low priced alternatives (none of which are less than 15 a case here BTW) I would have a lot more money in my pocket likely. I like em all but can't do without the better beers. Will be coming back from Vt. with a car full of HF goodies in the near future, probably not bringing Genny Bock with me to trade.

 

Do people trade growlers? If so, I'm really concerned what these people are thinking.

 

Aside from being overpriced (more often than not) I don't really like them but they are kind of necessary since some of the better local breweries don't bottle/can beer.

 

In Northern California many small breweries only can/bottle a limited selection of their flagship beers. Many beers are only available by the pour or growler fill at the brewery. So to share these the growler is the only way to go.

 

No, HF stuff you hafta buy at the brewery, mostly, for the hoppy beers in growler. People do bring beer to Vt. to trade, though, I have done it myself. The remark to which you reply, however, was humor.

 

Like growlers occasionally, but I mostly got the few I have to fill with homebrew to give to friends and fam. Other than that, I don't really care about getting them anymore.

 

One of my favorite locally produced beers is Good People Mumbai Rye. Growlers are the only format that allows me to take this beer home. Since I am way past the point of wanting to drink in bars, this is my only real alternative. That being said I just wish they would can this stuff.

 

I think my answer is tempered by where I live. Until very recently, you had to have a brewery branded growler to get a fill from a brewery. You still do, in 99% of cases. I like variety, so i end up being stuck with too many bloody growlers and need to take time to bring them all back. I must have 25 of them in basement. On top of that, until recently, most breweries in my area offering growlers only had the large 1.89 litre ones. Again, I like variety in my beer drinking, and hate having to buy so much of one beer. I feel the need to finish the damn growler before I can open something else. The tyranny of the growler!

I have noticed that there are more breweries local to me offering 1 litre and 750ml growlers which I don't mind. I have also noticed that several local breweries that were growler only have been adding bottles or cans to their offerings. I like this, and will always buy the fresh can or bottle at the brewery over the growler if I have a choice. I'm also noticing that some of the newest breweries have chosen to not offer growlers, and offer bottles for take away only. On their websites they repeatedly note that there just isn't enough of a growler culture here, and the restrictions surrounding them make offering them a bad business decision.

 

Growlers are great. I work reasonably close to Tired hands, and they always have something new on tap that I am curious about. Most of the stuff they do will never see a can or bottle (or at least not regularly) so filling growlers is a great way to try some of their more creative/limited brews.

 

Location is a big factor for me. There's only a handful of breweries within a reasonable drive from my house (30 minutes or so). Most i don't find highly desirable, so that alone cuts down on my growler consumption. There's only one bottle shop in the area that does growler fills. They have at least 30 rotating beers, but most beers I'm not motivated to get a 6 pack or growler of. So in short, if i'm seeking out a brewery or beer, it usually involves road tripping and on-site consumption.