Growler – Craft Beer, Please

By Righty

The first time I ever paid attention to a “growler” was after touring Sprecher Brewing Co.  in Milwaukee.  It wasn’t beer we toted home in the 64 ounce jug.  Rather, it was Sprecher’s Triple X Root Beer, an alcoholic root beer aged in an oak bourbon cask (who knew?) that can only be purchased at their counter.

Since that time I’ve been introduced to the world of craft beers by my son and his wife, who live in Colorado and most recently brewed an Irish Red Stout, I’m told.  If they didn’t have their own home brew on tap, I’m sure they would be bringing some home in growlers. 

An old way to transport beer is coming back for those who have discovered freshly brewed craft beer is more exciting than wine.

from the New York Times -

Growlers — 64-ounce glass vessels that look like a moonshine jug — have become the beer accessory of the moment. And the jugs, filled at taps in bars and stores, are not just the toys of the bearded, flannel-shirt, beer-geek set.

“In the beginning we tried to figure out, ‘Who’s going to be our market?’ ” said Ben Granger, 32, an owner of Bierkraft, which began filling growlers in spring 2006. “We thought, mullet-heads and beer-bellied dudes. But the first run was ladies with strollers. They will tell you they’re buying them for their husbands. Three weeks later, they’ve got two. One’s his and one’s hers. The next one that caught me by surprise was dads coming in with their kids. Then there’s the beer crowd who’ll rush in to get on this or that before it’s gone. There’s no age limit.”

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H/T: Erin