New Growler Law

I'm guessing it took effect the same time taprooms being open on Sunday did. I would also imagine that most places that prefills growlers will not take outside growlers.

 

When I brought the question up at indeed, the taproom manager noted this was a discussion topic along with some other "state compliance" they were currently investigating. She said if they decide to fill other growlers, they will make an announcement publicly (twitter).

Also discussed this with the bartender at town hall. At that time, he wasn't sure what would happen, but guessed since they counter-pressure fill the growlers and by doing so have great control over quality/sanitation, they would not fill outside growlers. This I totally get. As well, I'd imagine selling both counter-pressure filled growlers and tap-filled growlers would create a kink in managing a brewery/brewpub. But I'll shut up because I don't know a thing about managing businesses!

 

I've asked about this the last two times I've been to a new brewery (neither of Bang Brewing or Tin Whiskers are filling other breweries' growlers). Things have changed legally, but the existing culture is still pretty entrenched (breweries doing what is most convenient for themselves).

About all we can do is recognize and support those that will fill all growlers and hope that competition will bring the others around. Most people are only willing to keep a finite number of growlers (I've got 12 and I get irritated every time I look at them), and I think we are already at the point in the Twin Cities where there are enough good breweries that one can easily rationalize not needing a growler (or several) from each one of them. I'm guessing that some of these breweries will decide that they don't want to lose casual/infrequent customers to more accommodating competitors.

 

I know Barley Johns will fill any glass you bring in, or stainless in the case of my Brauler and have been for a long time as they always stood by there being no specific law stating otherwise (as did Canal Park where I bought the brauler they'd fill anything). But I understand the sanitization issue, fortunately me being a homebrewer I always rinse mine heavily then sanitize them and throw a little aluminum foil on top of them. That way I don't risk any mold inside from sealing the growler.

 

I thought the beer at both places was pretty good and each has a unique ambience that makes a visit worthwhile if you get the chance. But yeah, good enough to throw another growler on the pile? Not for me.

 

The MN Craft Brewers Guild should come out with a "standard" growler, with a spot for stickers, and a list of supporting brewers.

 

Agreed. A Guild Growler, with all the participating breweries names on it and room to add stickers or so something along those lines. Perhaps this idea in not prohibited by law? Who the fuck checks this kind of thing anyway, the growler police?

 

Are they going to allow any brewery to sell/fill growlers any time soon?

 

Harriet will now fill anyone's growler.
http://www.harrietbrewing.com/2014/07/harriet-brewing-will-now-fill-any-growler-new-policy/
Hopefully more will get on board.

 

This. The sooner everybody gets on the board the "fill any growler" train, the more beer they will sell. It's a no-brainer - but only if they want to sell beer, I guess.

 

I haven't made it over to Harriet in a while, but with this change, I think I may have to stop by, and fill some mismatched growlers.

 

This is all good news for someone that travels to MN every year at Christmas and only owns one growler from a MN brewery (Fitger's).

 

I gave Fitger's a call earlier about getting a growler fill. If you don't have a Fitger's growler, but have one from another brewery, they will keep your growler, and give you one of their growlers and you only pay the fill charge. Hooray!

 

I have no idea how that makes sense financially for them...

 

Good to know while being up there for APN. Can we trade in 10 growlers and get one of those cool stainless steel ones? lol