What’s a Growler, Anyway?
Have you heard the word growler, and wondered what it meant? Today Erin McGann fills us in on this craft beer phenomenon.
It’s hard to avoid the words ‘craft beer’ in Vancouver these days. Between pubs like Craft in Olympic Village (opening in September) and Portland Craft on Main Street, and the slew of new breweries opening up in the old Brewery Creek district around Main and 7th Ave, the talk of small-scale beer production is everywhere.
A What?
The brand new 33 Acres Brewery on W 8th Ave posted on their Facebook page their tasting room opening hours, and that they filled growlers too. A growler? It’s not a character in a Maurice Sendak book, but a fantastic concept for bringing home beer from a local brewery for less.
Originating from the time when bottling beer in single servings was too inconvenient and expensive, growlers originally could be just about any large vessel you could fill with beer from the saloon taps – often this meant a bucket or large jug. Beer to go, if you will. Now, a growler means a glass jug holding just under two liters.
How Does it Work?
Quite a large selection of local breweries will sell you a glass growler for $5, and fill it with their beer for $10-$15. You can bring back the clean growler for refilling, though it’s worth noting some breweries won’t fill competitor’s branded jugs. Unopened, a growler will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three weeks, but once opened should really be finished within a couple of days.
The joy of growlers is not just in saying the word, though that’s pretty cool. Rather, it’s about reusing your beautiful container, chatting to the staff at the brewery (who probably had a hand in making the drink itself), buying local, and having the chance to try out something unique. Special seasonal beers might not even make into bottles, but stick to growler release from the brewery only.
Where Can I Fill my Growler?
Who else fills growlers? The aforementioned 33 Acres, Parallel 49 (we’ve filled you in on this one!), Powell Street Craft Brewery, Deep Cove Brewers, Steamworks, Four Winds, Yaletown Brewing Company, Central City Brewing (Surrey-based, home of Red Racer), R & B Brewing Company, and more. It’s worth checking a brewery’s site for details, as some of them will only fill growlers on certain days and times.
Imagine having a BBQ, lining up four or five growlers from local breweries and having your people over. Is there a better way to coast into September?
I’ve not bought a growler myself, but hubbie has. I just love that the art of beer making is becoming more prominent. It really is a skill that has to be honed, so I love that all these little micro breweries are getting more attention.