When do you go for a growler fill?

I agree, and am surprised to hear that so many references to growlers being more expensive. Around here fills are usually 15-20% cheaper than packaged, sometimes more. I can get a 4 pk of Bomb (48oz) for $25 or get a 64 oz fill for $20...

Having said that, almost all my fills are of the 32oz variety

 

Devil's Backbone for the Vienna Lager.

Heavy Seas for the Loose Cannon.

 

Similar to you OP I get growlers of something not offered in cans/bottles and ones I really enjoyed. I have been using my double 32oz as well to bring two different options for a couple pints each.

 

I live right between Tree House and NEBCO. I fill growlers regularly. They are fine for a few weeks in the fridge. I stick to the smaller growlers unless I'm expecting to share quite a bit. If Tree House has cans, I will opt for those because they're portable, last longer, and are a better value. Fresh beer is the shit.

 

Have a whole shelf full of growlers in the garage. The concept of a growler fill at a store is a new concept around here, and I have to go to the neighboring state to even do that. So lots of brewpubs and other smaller breweries that don't package for retail, growlers are the way to go. The cost of a growler is rarely worse than the cost of 4-5 singles from a beer store (usually don't buy 6 packs), and gets me 6 servings, so its a better deal.

 

Once a week for the Saturday grilling.

 

An hour ago

 

I only buy growlers when I can share with other people. I do not enjoy consuming that much beer at a sitting.

 

i get a growler fill almost every weekend

 

Whenever I visit Kane or Tired Hands, which is pretty often.

 

When I visit alpine, beechwood, rare barrel or cellarmaker pretty much every time. Other than that it's gotta be super fresh pale/IPA/DIPA or else fuhgettaboutit.

 

I typically get growler fills at Fonta Flora every time I am in there. If the local bottle shops have something good on tap, I'll get something to go. I typically drink them as soon as I get home so it's a great way to drink fresh beer.

 

It's not often that I get growler fills. Nine times out of 10 I am drinking beer alone and not sharing with someone. I don't usually drink 64 oz in one sitting, and I have found the quality of the beer suffers greatly the next day if I don't finish entire growler the day before.

As several others have mentioned, they are also expensive to fill. I can't justify paying a min. $15 / 64 oz if I can buy a 6-pack of that same beer for $10-12 / 72 oz.

Yes, growlers allows you to bring home beers that are not bottled or canned, which can be a great thing. But to me it's not worth paying the premium unless the entire growler is consumed the day it's opened.

I'm having trouble seeing how the pros outweigh the cons. Maybe I'm just not a good candidate for 64 oz growler purchases? I will say that 32 oz growlers are more up my alley, but they're not always an option.

 

For a long time, I rarely would get my 64oz growler filled, maybe only once or twice a year. It was just too much of one beer. Over the last few years, the 32oz growler has been showing up more and more. Now I get my two 32oz growlers filled just about every Saturday at my local beer/growler shop. Tap beer is so good and being able to try 2 new ones with the 32oz growlers is a much better option for me.

 

I don't understand ? Why would it not be a good representation ?

 

I typically get 64 oz growler fills for dinners or parties where I think people will like what is in the growler & will finish most of it. I will take my 32 oz growlers when visiting breweries. If I find something I like I can share a taste with others when I come home.