What Is A Beer Crowler Vs A Growler | Size & Longevity

How is this different from a Growler?

What Is a Growler?

To understand what the crowler is, you should know where it originates. Before there was the crowler, there was the growler.

A growler is a large glass beer container with an airtight seal that maintains a beverage's carbonation for up to three days. Growlers come in two standard sizes of 32 ounces and 64 ounces. They're refillable, so you can use them multiple times.

The growler dates back to the late 1800s, and the design has undergone significant changes over the years. Initial growlers were tin buckets that patrons would use to carry beer home from the bar. As the beer sloshed around inside the container, it would make a bubbling noise that people would call growling.

Variations of bucket growlers were common through the 1950s. The modern concept for a sealed glass growler came in the 1980s, but the name hearkening back to the bucket growlers stuck.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking From a Growler?

From its earlier iterations to the modern day, the growler has allowed consumers to bring home more of their favorite beverages in one handy vessel. But the benefits of drinking from a growler go beyond its sheer capacity. Growlers keep beer fresh while helping consumers save money and reduce environmental damage.

Freshness

Beer just tastes better from the tap, and a growler lets you experience that freshness at home. Glass growlers seal tightly to lock in carbonation. As long as you enjoy your beer within three days, it will taste as good as what you'd get at the bar.

Economic Buying

Packaging a beer in a growler reduces the unit price while allowing you to purchase the quantity you want. You'll usually need to buy at least a six-pack when purchasing beer in standard 12- or 16-ounce cans. Instead, buy a growler for a low unit price with the freedom to purchase 32 or 64 ounces at a time.

Eco-Consciousness

Along with the financial benefits of skipping the six-packs, 12-packs, 24-packs and beyond, you can also reduce waste by choosing a growler. Packing more beer into a single container puts a lid on the garbage you produce. Plus, glass growlers are refillable. Choosing a growler instead of single-use containers is the better choice for the environment.

Types of Growlers

While the glass growler is the standard type, there are a few alternatives to try.

Glass Growlers

The glass growler is the original modern design, and it's the most common version. You'll find these growlers everywhere, from your local beer store to breweries and massive beer festivals. Glass growlers are so popular because of their practicality. They do what you need them to do — hold your beer — and they're easy to clean when you're done. Glass growlers are great for everyday use.

Ceramic Growlers

Ceramic growlers are less common than glass, but they offer a few improvements — starting with durability. Ceramic growlers are less likely to break than standard glass. They also protect their contents from sunlight better than glass growlers due to their solid nature. Depending on your aesthetic preferences, you may prefer the look of ceramic, too.

Stainless Steel Growlers

Stainless steel is the ideal material for a growler, although it's the most expensive. These growlers are the most durable due to the strength of stainless steel. The material is also insulative, so they keep beer cold longer while protecting the drink from light. Use a stainless steel growler when packing for rugged adventures like camping trips and hikes.

Growler Best Practices

You can follow a few best practices to experience the full benefits of using a growler.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Cleaning and sanitizing your growler before filling it with beer is critical to protect your health and preserve the beer.

You can clean your growler using soap and water. Rinse it out, apply a small amount of dish soap and scrub the growler inside and out. Soap and water are safe for all ceramic, glass and stainless steel growlers.

To sanitize your growler, you can soak it in a solution of water and chlorine bleach. Use cold water for the solution. Hot water will neutralize the bleach's effects.

Filling a Growler Correctly

Filling your growler correctly will prevent oxidation. There are two common ways to fill a growler.

One method is the filling tube. Filling tubes stretch to the bottom of the growler so the level rises from the bottom up, maintaining carbonation.

Another approach relies on a carbon dioxide counter pressure filler. This type of filler prevents oxygen from entering the growler by filling it with carbon dioxide first.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to seal the lid tightly after filling your growler.

Storage

Storing your growler properly will retain your beer's freshness. It's best to keep a full growler upright in a dark, cool place. Oxygen, temperature fluctuations and the sun's ultraviolet rays will alter your drink's flavor. The ideal storage location for your growler is a refrigerator set between 38-44 degrees Fahrenheit.

A growler will only keep your beer fresh for a few days, so aim to consume it soon after bringing it home. Sealed bottles and cans are the best options for long-term beer storage.

Clearing After Use

Clearing is the process of emptying, cleaning and sanitizing your growler after use. Each new beer you store in your growler deserves a fresh start, so eliminate remnants of the last beer that could alter the taste. Clean and sanitize your growler after use the same way you would before filling it for the first time. Allow a few hours for it to dry before refilling it.

Avoiding Contamination

Beers are sensitive concoctions. Oils and bacteria can change the flavor and reduce freshness, which is important to remember while filling and cleaning your growler. Avoid touching the interior walls or allowing unwanted substances inside. Cleaning, rinsing and sanitizing your growler will ensure it's ready to keep the next beer fresh.