Refusing to fill a growler

Pretty sure that guy would have thought the brewery was at fault for any off flavors before he considered the skanky container.

 

If it's visibly dirty or smells bad then I'd totally agree, and let's face it, if it's that dirty... WTF? Who's buying the beer? Does this guy change his underwear at least once a week?

On the other hand I have run into bartenders who were a little over-vigilant, questioning a growler that I'd not only cleaned but then completely sanitized in Iodophor ~ and then rinsing my completely dry growler before filling it even though I'd stated that it was cleaned and sanitized.

 

The way I see this...

If someone does not have the presence of mind to clean their reusable piece of glassware purchased from the brewery before they get a new beer from said brewery, they probably also do not have the presence of mind required to understand that the product in that glassware represents the brewery to (potentially) multiple people after it leaves in that customer's hands once again. Sure, the brewery could, in the interest of keeping a customer, inform the person and clean the growler for him. I don't necessarily see why they should, though. I believe that some responsibility should necessarily be exercised by a customer, especially one who likes the place enough that they're returning there a second (or third, etc.) time. If a brewery fills a dirty growler with beer, and the person goes to a beer share or similar event and pours it for others who find it tastes "off" or "not right," it could definitely provide a negative impression of the company's brewing and/or sanitation practices. Therefore, they'd be losing potential customers and, worst case scenario, draw negative criticism on social media which we've seen can sometimes snowball out of control.

I don't think craft breweries should go out of their way to coddle people who won't take the time to respect their product. Perhaps others feel differently about this, but that's just the way I instinctively feel on this matter.

Good question, though!

 

What, the guy couldn't read the sign? Thought maybe it didn't apply to him?

I think its refreshing to see someone mean what they say.

 

I agree that if the growler is obviously dirty by look, smell, or by customer comments - that they should refuse to fill it, but offer to sell them a growler if they have them. I really like one local liquor store that does growler fills. For $3 deposit you get a 32oz or 64oz growler, which they exchange when you come back. They steam sanitize them before reuse.

I recently got into crowlers, which I'm now preferring. The downside to a crowler is that once you crack it, you need to drink it since you can't seal it. This could be problematic for extremely high ABV beers.

 

What does Yoda say? "Do, or do not, there is no try."

 

Yeah - but for instance, 32oz of an 18% ABV beer would be the equivalent of 11+ "normal" 4.2% ABV 12oz beers, which is a bit to drink by yourself in a sitting

 

There is a place in Columbus I go to occasionally that does this. They require you to buy their growler, but exchange it every fill so it doesn't matter if you bring it back in with beer foam sticking to the side of it. They aren't a brewery either, so kuddos to them. They are still representing many of them as they have about 60 taps.
That being said, I had Columbus Brewing clean mine and give me a new cap because I apparently put mine back on with some moisture and it had mold/mildew ( I felt really stupid). I have seen many other places that clean them routinely anyway

 

I've seen bartenders scold patrons who bring in extra dirty vessels but have always tried to clean them and give them what they want. Places are so competitive now, it would stupid not to give customers what they want.

But It's a shifting philosophy though. Places are no longer thankful for patronage. Bartenders think we owe them the privilege of drinking their 'amazing' product. Owners need to keep these bartenders in check. You aren't making the beer and don't deserve your $1 beer tips. There i said it.

 

Ive filled growlers at a previous job. If its dirty its their fault. I had a guy once leave all mad because we didnt give him a new cap every time he came in. Hed bring in a growler capless every time.

 

Right thing to do.

 

maybe. there is something to be said for having an understandable policy, and enforcing it.

maybe better would have been to clean & sanitize it and refill it, thus not losing the sale.

maybe walk him through the procedure, maybe he didn't know how or know why it was important. worst case scenario, you lose some time, but maybe impress a customer with how seriously you take your product being tasted at its best.

fwiw, I've been an owner and I've been an employee. "hot"-ness doesn't last forever and customers are a finite resource. there will be another brewery or craft beer bar in that town, neighborhood, or even block.

 

Sure. I agree, but then management should change the stated policy.

 

There used to be a regular at a local brewery here, that would come in every day for his after work pint and growler fill. Every day he'd bring in the growler without a cap. They started charging him 25 cents for the cap. He started bringing his growler with a cap. Some people are just cheap, and as long they can get something, anything no matter how trivial, for free, they will.

 

Anyone else carry their empty and presumably clean growler bottles in the car, so you're always prepared? Or is that just me?

 

Yeah it's right. Don't put your beer in a container that is dirty. Don't care who owns that container.

 

If you can't clean your growler after it's empty you have a problem. I would never bring a dirty growler somewhere to have it filled.

 

Rinsing your growler out with water after you are done drinking beer out of it really isn't that difficult. Why would people even want to spend money on good beer and then put it into a dirty vessel? Some people blow my mind...

All of the breweries in my area (that have fill stations) will exchange the growler for a clean one if it has their name on it. Otherwise, they refuse as they should.