When do you go for a growler fill?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by bubseymour, Aug 20, 2015.

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  1. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just wondering the buying habits of fellow beer advocates in terms of going to get growler fills.

    I've had a growler for a year now. I take it along with me anytime I visit a place that fills growlers. I'd say out of maybe 10-15 visits over the last year to such places/breweries that fill growlers, I've only justified getting a growler fill on 3 occasions so far. All 3 times it was for non-bottled/canned beers that I found absolutely incredible after a pint or sample pour and I really wanted to bring back the beer to share with a few of my fellow beer advocate friends whom wouldn't have any other chance to taste the beer otherwise.

    In my drinking habits, I just can't see myself overpaying for a growler of easily obtainable beer that I could get in bottles for cheaper and have more flexibility with consumption.
     
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  2. AstronautMikeDexter

    AstronautMikeDexter Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2013 Indiana

    Most places around here have specials on growler fills on Fridays. That's typically when I fill mine, as I know I can finish it over the weekend.
    I usually don't fill them during the week because it'll just go to waste. I rarely have more than 2-3 beers during the week unless I'm on vacation.
     
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  3. alex_delany

    alex_delany Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2015 New York

    I've made it a tradition that after visiting a new brewery I will leave with a 64 of whatever beer I liked the best from my tastings and a 32 of whichever came in second. It's a good way to validate your opinion after getting home, as well as being able to share with friends.

    Since moving from Philly to NYC, I'll always leave Tired Hands with multiple growlers though. You're not gonna not.
     
  4. iRun2Beer

    iRun2Beer Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2015 Minnesota

    I get growlers for occasions where I know I'm going to be able to finish 64 oz of beer in a day or two. Softball, camping trips, vacations.

    Or when I'm at a brewery that I don't make it too often. Toppling Goliath for example. I'm 2.5 hours away, and I can't make it down every week - so when I do, I get a growler fill to go.
     
  5. PatrickCT

    PatrickCT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,776) Feb 18, 2015 Connecticut

    I get growler fills all the time. At local breweries I check to see whats on tap first, but next week I will be in Maryland and I will be visiting DFH, Burley Oaks and some others and I will probably fill 6 growlers just for the hell of it. They are cheap and we will drink the beer. Also I am more likely to get multiple growlers in the summer months. Usually lighter, crushable beers.
     
  6. Crim122

    Crim122 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2014 North Carolina

    When I am going out of state and want to take some local beer with me.
     
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  7. mwa423

    mwa423 Initiate (0) Nov 7, 2007 Ohio

    This might be the most confusing phrase ever uttered. If I'm going out of state, I want to try that state's beer!
     
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  8. Kanger

    Kanger Initiate (0) Sep 3, 2013 New York

    There's the problem. The growler should always be cheaper than bottles of the same beer.
     
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  9. TheKlevin

    TheKlevin Initiate (0) Aug 6, 2014 Michigan
    Trader

    I live a couple of miles from founders, and when it's stout season I get a fill of breakfast stout pretty regularly. I prefer it on tap I think it tastes much better than in bottles. I also work at a brewery (elk brewing) so I often bring growler fill home for my wife so that she won't drink my beer.
     
  10. jlsims04

    jlsims04 Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2013 Illinois

    Dont really get a lot of growlers. The only time I really buy them is when traveling to try new stuff.
     
  11. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    I believe that's what he means. He wants to take (back home with him) beer that is local (to the place he visited).
     
  12. Crim122

    Crim122 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2014 North Carolina

    I do that too. Its generally to take some of my states beer to a friends house. Not for me to drink due to comfort. Then fill my empty growler with their states beer.
     
  13. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Generally, only if I'm going to a party/cookout/bottleshare, or if I've had a few pints already and want a "walking beer"/last round for home. The beers I tend to get in growlers are just local, easy to get beers for me.
     
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  14. HopsDubosc

    HopsDubosc Pundit (803) Apr 24, 2015 Vermont

    If it's less than $10 I'll think about it. (pretty rare though)
     
  15. Aventinus88

    Aventinus88 Initiate (0) Feb 15, 2014 New Jersey

    You've used the same growler for a year and haven't accumulated more? Man, my wife wishes I could be you. I conveniently "forget" to bring growlers with me to breweries so often that every time we plan to go to one, my wife sets an alarm on her phone for before we leave to remind me to take one so I dont end up purchasing a new one.
     
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  16. thedumbphase

    thedumbphase Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2015 New Jersey

    2-3 times a month for me. I always keep a clean SS growler in my car. There's several shops in my area that do reasonably priced growler fills and they often have beers not readily available in bottles/cans. Plus it just tastes better to me.
     
  17. socon67

    socon67 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,895) Jun 18, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I am lucky that the distributor by me does growler fills and even 16oz fills. Those are great to try a beer or get a few different ones. I like the allure of getting fills of things that are draft only, but I also like certain beer that I find fresher on draft (though people have mentioned that draft does not mean the keg hasn't been sitting around). For me its an inexpensive option to try stuff with a short drive up the road.
     
  18. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have 4 growlers in my car now, 2 32oz swing tops and 1 64oz glass screw and one stainless pressurized. I have 2 places near my work that rotate constantly, and don't want to not have them handy because good releases go fast. My hard and fast rule is never a growler fill if the same thing can be had in a 6 pack, I have never seen growler fills be less than a 6 pack. I will usually get fills on things that are not available in that format. Almost 90% of the time a growler fill is cheaper than a bomber, so that is where I will use the growlers. Not a math guy but in about 3 seconds I can figure out the financials on that deal.
    Examples
    64oz bomber of Prairie Artisan Gold $19.99 (Bomber $9.99)
    64oz bomber of Yellow Rose $13 (750ml $8.99 - $9.99)
     
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  19. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    I get so irritated when shops basically only fill growlers will the same damn beer they have on shelves!!! What the hell is the point? I will ONLY fill a growler with non canned/bottled brews unless it's some kind of fire sale or it's much cheaper.

    For example, last week filled a 750ml growler of Bruery Cuivre for $17, in this case, it makes sense even though bottles are on the shelf.
     
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  20. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Pooh-Bah (2,890) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I used to get my growlers filled regularly, but it fell off...don't know why.
     
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