What Is A Growler Of Beer And How Many Bottles Can It Hold?

Long gone are the days when your choices for take-home beer mostly came in the form of 12-ounce cans or bottles. Today, containers of suds come in various sizes, ranging from eight ounces for those who just want a taste to 19.2 ounces. For those folks with a mightier thirst, there are even larger vessels like bombers, magnums, and growlers. If you are someone who sits on the parched side of the scale and you're unfamiliar with a growler of beer, you may be interested to know how much amber liquid it can hold.

Leaving aside kegs — which hold between 640 and a whopping 1,984 ounces – growlers hold more beer than most other containers at 64 ounces. That is the equivalent of four pints or nearly a six-pack of 12-ounce cans in one glass jug. If you want as much ale as possible in a single package without taking home a keg, a growler is what you are looking for.

The best part is it can be refilled after it is emptied. However, a growler needs to be well-cleaned after each batch if you want to use it repeatedly. Any bacteria that gets trapped inside in between refills could cause your beer to become moldy. You will also want to keep it refrigerated like any other lager. That will extend the shelf life and keep your beer nice and cold when you feel like a pint or two.

Many local breweries sell growlers, although the price depends largely on the type of beer inside. The first time you buy one you are paying for more than just your preferred brew. There's typically a fee associated with the container itself, ranging between $5 and $20. However, once you own it, it is yours forever.

A growler can be refilled regularly at most local breweries with domestic beer or a cherished craft brew, and the cost is generally discounted compared to buying multiple cans or bottles. However, the type of suds you put inside will factor into how long it lasts. Where a modest pilsner should be good for three weeks, a sour or a gose beer might only last for two. It won't last as long as traditional cans of beer, but it should last long enough to consume four pints intermittently.

There are also howlers and crowlers, which are different despite the similar sounding names. Both contain 32 ounces, but a howler is a glass jug whereas a crowler is an aluminum can. Once the latter is opened, it can't be resealed. Howlers and growlers are more versatile in this regard. Additionally, when consumed, a crowler's can has served its only purpose and should be recycled. When the glass jugs are emptied, they can continue to be refilled as long as they are properly cleaned and stored.