The growing popularity of craft beer and homebrewing is fueling a growler revolution. As the number of micro-breweries grow, so too does the popularity of growlers — 64 ounce reusable jugs that can be filled to transport freshly tapped golden goodness. Why growlers? They offer a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to sample, transport and share locally-brewed beer whether you’re at a backyard BBQ, or celebrating the day’s climb at basecamp.
The Growler Test…
Sure, you can settle for the standard glass option at your local micro brew, but the problem with glass growlers is two-fold. Whether the result of fumble fingers or a mishap, glass can leave your precious porter splattered on the sidewalk below. Moreover, with glass you run the risk of your beer getting skunked by the light – an equally unsatisfying demise to befall your beloved brew.
To help us find the best growler for outdoor and micro-brew enthusiasts, our editors selected six of the best growlers available and paid a visit to our friends at Bike Dog Brewing in West Sacramento, California.
From there, we judged each growler on an array of criteria including aesthetics, workmanship (includes durability and seal), portability and of course insulating properties. Finally, we asked our Brew Master to give a 1-5 star ranking for each vessel to reflect the ease of use with regards to handling and filling the product.
Each growler was topped off with Bike Dog’s tasty American Wheat Beer which was poured at a frosty 43.5 degrees. We sealed them up, weighed them in, and let them sit out overnight checking the temperature six and twelve hours after the initial pour. While we did not test carbonation levels, our team was impressed with how carbonated the brew remained over the time trail, despite the frequent openings required to conduct temperature checks.
The Growlers …
The Shine Wander and Rumble Growler from Shine Craft Vessel Co.
Constructed of 23 gauge, 304 food-grade, single-walled stainless steel, these sleek beauties marry flash and substance. Available in nine color options, every Wander and Rumble Growler is painted and finished entirely in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A lightweight build and lean neck make for easy handling and pouring while the deeply threaded cap excelled at holding carbonation and preventing spills. While it lacks the vacuum insulation of other growlers in our test, Shine Craft offers a feature that none of the other competitors do.
Every Shine Craft Vessel goes through a proprietary ULTRA PASS process in which each growler is individually treated with a non-toxic BPA-Free Citric Acid solution to remove iron particles. This keeps your 64 ounces of malty goodness or well-hopped heaven tasting just the way the brewer intended. As an added bonus, a portion of every sale is donated directly to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
The Sprocket from Portland Growler Co.
You’d rightfully expect a place referred to as “Beervana” to expertly craft unique containers to house your magical brew. Handcrafted by the Portland Growler Co., this burly artisan container is slip cast using a high-temperature stoneware ceramic and fired to an awesomely extreme temperature of 2232 F. The growler is coated with food-safe glazes, and since it’s opaque, a sunlit room doesn’t threaten your tapped contents. Each growler features a handsome swing top that completes the nostalgic Kentucky Whiskey jug style that our editor’s loved.
Admittedly, the nature of the ceramic design make these the heaviest of the group and susceptible to breaking. However, the ceramic build did a surprisingly good job of keeping the beer cold, and there’s something to be said for a growler that sparks as much conversation as your choice in micro-brews. Side note: The blue 32oz Loop Growlette resulted in a plethora of people breaking the great beer commandment; “Thou Shall Not Covet They Neighbors Growler.” From taste room to editor’s war room, it proved to be the apple of everyone’s eye.
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask offered the world’s first vacuum insulated beer growler, and years later it’s still one of the best options available. A meager five degree temperature increase after twelve hours is worthy of admiration. An extra wide mouth not only makes for easy filling, but effortless sharing and cleaning. The Double-walled technology prevents condensation from forming on the exterior, and the signature powder coat offers a tactile feel our team appreciated.
Hydro Flasks are made from 100% recyclable materials making this an even more environmentally friendly option than you thought. Did we mention that it’s backed by a 100 year warranty? While there’s plenty to love, the extra wide body and short neck make it slightly more difficult to handle and the plastic lash does flip the cap forward therefore requiring you to hold it out of the way when filling and pouring.
MiiR Growler
The design of the MiiR growler beautifully blends old school aesthetics with modern vacuum insulation technology. Not only is this stainless steel bottle easy on the eyes (also available in blue and matte black), it features an innovative clamp system that’s a modern take on a classic growler top. As one of the two most secure tops in the group, it not only prevents leaks and locks in freshness, but ensures that you’ll always keep your beer fresh without having to worry about a rogue cap gone missing. It’s also the growler our Beer Master requested for his own personal collection.
The double-walled vacuum insulated construction keeps the beer inside protected from whatever weather is outside. Have a bike? MiiR also offers a Growler Cage for your urban travels. The best part? Through the Growler for Good project, each MiiR growler provides one person in the world with clean drinking water.
Innate Gear Craft Growlers
The new Craft Growlers from Innate Gear demonstrate how a few tweaks to traditional design add up to make a major difference in performance and functionality. One of the arch nemeses of your beer is air which is one of the reasons a tight seal is of critical importance. Moreover, a properly sealed growler will hold carbonation indefinitely – and that’s where the Craft Growler shines. Both the 32 and 64 ounce Craft Growlers offer an airtight insulated lid that not only keep your beer fresh, but a stainless steel insert that resists taste pickup so your crisp Lager doesn’t have the malty rich aftertaste of your Oatmeal Stout.
Integrated with the lid is a unique two fingered carry/pour handle which made this the easiest of the bunch to transport. A cam bump locks the lid in place to prevent it from flipping forward when filling, pouring or drinking (we call that a triple win). And since cold beer is the best beer, the Innate Craft Growler also wins the prize for keeping our tasty American Wheat brew the coldest at both the six and twelve hour marks. The Craft Growlers did so well on temperature retention we checked them again at the 24 hour mark where the final temp was only 53.7 degrees.
The Bräuler from The Zythos Project
Trust us when we say, this ain’t your grandpa’s beer growler. From Portland’s Zythos (ancient Greek word for beer) Project, comes The Bräuler; the first of it’s kind Modular Growler System. By incorporating individual components into a complete system, The Bräuler ensures that you can give your beer the tender loving care it deserves. This sexy brushed stainless-steel growler is Hydro-dynamically designed by chemical engineers for controlled foam, easy fill, and easy pour. It’s the only growler on our list specifically designed to be filled like a pint, and while it’s sold as a standard 64 ounce growler, you can fill it to the bottom of the threads for 2 full liters of golden goodness.
A cap comprised of a beefy black lid, a disk and a seal not only offer exceptional grip even when wet but play a key role in offering long-lasting freshness. A slender neckline makes it exceptionally easy to handle when pouring and filling. While only single walled, The Bräuler comes with an neoprene BräulerSkin that lends a helping hand in keeping your beer cooler, protecting the classic Bräuler finish and, with the integrated shoulder strap, hauling from point A to B. And because everyone likes extras, you’ll soon be able to purchase a CO2-powered “FreshCap” that will allow you to safely recharge your beer.
Making the Right Choice…
You’ve got high standards for your beer which means you deserve a bottle made with the same high standards. The good news is that any of these growlers will make a quality partner for your beloved brew for years to come. However, much like any product, choosing the right growler is a process of matchmaking. The growler you choose will depend partly upon price and partly upon the style that suits your fancy. But your choice should also depend largely upon how you plan to use it.
Looking for a lightweight vessel to transport your IPA straight from tap to table to tum? The Bräuler or Wander and Rumble offer solid options that will give you years of easy beer hauling pleasure. Heading to the mountains with your malty Bock for a weekend? The insulated growlers offer a more adventure ready option. Even if you’re just heading from the tap room to your buddy’s BBQ, the insulated bottles keep your beer fresh and cold despite the array of elements you may confront along the way.
We gave the Editors Choice Award to the Craft Growlers from Innate Gear for best overall performance and value. But with nearly as many style and color choices as there are craft brews at your favorite tasting room, you’re sure to find a growler that fits your own personal style and needs from these great brands. So pick the growler that best suits your fancy and start enjoying great beer on your own terms.