Andrew Chainless
Growlers are a great way to transport and store your homebrew, but can you bottle your beer in a growler? The answer is yes! Growlers come in a variety of sizes, but the most common size is 64 ounces. This is the perfect size for bottling a batch of beer.
What is a growler?
The classic beer growler is a reusable, thick-walled container made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel. As a rule, a growler is a portable and affordable device for enjoying fresh beer at home or at a party. The main feature of a growler is that it allows you to keep your beer fresh for several days.
If you want to discover new ways to create or mature your beer, the first thing you should look at is growler bottles, made of translucent amber or brown glass, which, like beer bottles, are designed to protect the integrity of the beer from the sun’s rays.
History says that in the early 1900s, brewers transported fresh beer in a zinc bucket with a lid and tap. The lid rattled loudly as it was being transported, which is why the container got its name “growler.”
Next in accessibility and ease of use were ceramic thick-walled bottles with bugle stoppers. And the most key and fashionable trend is the purchase of a stainless steel growler. Here too, two options are possible: a thin-walled vessel with a compressed air tube or a double-walled vessel like a thermos.
You can also find growlers made of PET plastic, but the cheapness is their only advantage. In terms of quality, they are much inferior to glass and ceramic models of growlers.
An important point that distinguishes the growler from other types of vessels is the presence of an airtight lid, which can be additionally fixed with sealing tape. When you buy a craft beer at a private brewery, it is additionally filled with compressed air to speed up the maturation process. And having an airtight lid that can withstand the pressure is a must.
If you use the growler regularly and repeatedly, pay attention to the lid. Over time, lids lose their tightness, so it is recommended to regularly replace the o-ring or the entire lid.
If properly sealed, the beer in the growler can hold its initial condition for about 30 days.
How good is beer in a growler?
Growlers are a great way to store and transport your homebrew, but how good is the beer inside? The answer is that it depends. Beers that are high in hops or have a lot of sediment will not age well in a growler. Beers that are lower in alcohol and have less hops will age better.
If you plan on drinking your beer within a week or two, then a growler is a great option. But if you want your beer to taste its best, bottling is the way to go.
How to Bottle Homebrew in a Growler
If you want to bottle your homebrew in a growler, the process is pretty simple. The first thing you need to do is sanitize your growler. You can do this by boiling it for 5 minutes or using a no-rinse sanitizer. Once your growler is sanitized, let it cool before adding your beer.
To fill your growler, simply attach a hose to your tap and open the valve. Fill the growler until it is about 3/4 full, leaving enough headspace for the carbonation.
Once your growler is filled, attach a cap and store it in a cool, dark place. Your beer will be ready to drink in about 2 weeks.
What kind of growlers is available on the market today?
There are two main types of growlers available on the market today: glass and stainless steel. Glass growlers are the most common type and are usually less expensive than stainless steel growlers. However, they are breakable and can be difficult to clean.
Stainless steel growlers are more durable and easier to clean, but they are more expensive. If you plan on using your growler often, a stainless steel growler may be a better option.
The Pros and Cons of Bottling Homebrew in a Growler
Bottling your homebrew in a growler has its pros and cons.
Storage and serving tips for homebrewed beer in a Growler
Once your beer is bottled in a growler, it is important to store it properly. The best way to store your growler is in a cool, dark place. Avoid storing your growler in direct sunlight or in a warm place, such as a garage or attic.
When you are ready to drink your beer, simply open the growler and pour it into a glass. Beers that are high in hops or have a lot of sediment will not pour well from a growler. Beers that are lower in alcohol and have less hops will pour better.
If you want your beer to be carbonated, you can add a few drops of CO2 before sealing the growler. This will help keep the beer carbonated for a longer period of time.
Beer Bottles VERSUS Growlers
While growlers are a great option for storing and transporting your homebrew, they have some drawbacks. The first is that they are not as airtight as bottles. This means that your beer will not age as well in a growler.
The second drawback is that growlers can be expensive. A 64-ounce growler can cost around $20.00. If you plan on bottling your beer, you can get a pack of 12 bottles for around the same price.
So, if you want your beer to taste its best and age well, bottling is the way to go. But if you want a cheap and convenient way to store and transport your homebrew, a growler is a great option.
Alternatives growlers
If you’re looking for an alternative to growlers, there are a few options. The first is to use bottles. Bottles are airtight and provide the best way to store and transport your homebrew.
The second option is to use kegs. Kegging your beer is the best way to keep it fresh and carbonated. But it requires some expensive equipment, so it’s not an option for everyone.
The third option is to use cans. Cans are a great alternative to growlers because they are lightweight and easy to transport. They are also airtight and provide a good way to store your beer. However, they are more expensive than growlers and can be difficult to find.
FAQ
No, you should not use a growler for fermentation. Growlers are not airtight and can allow oxygen to enter the beer, which can cause off-flavors.
No, you should not store your homebrew in a growler for more than 2 weeks. The beer will begin to lose flavor and carbonation after that time.
Yes, you should refrigerate your beer in a growler. Beer is best served cold and will taste its best when stored in a cool, dark place.
No, you should not do secondary fermentation in a growler. Secondary fermentation is the process of adding yeast to the beer to create carbonation. This process can introduce oxygen into the beer, which can cause off-flavors.
Yes, you can carbonate homebrew in a growler. To do this, simply attach a hose to your tap and open the valve. Fill the growler until it is about 3/4 full, leaving enough headspace for the carbonation. Once your growler is filled, attach a cap and store it in a cool, dark place.
The carbonation will last for about 2 weeks in a growler. After that time, the beer will begin to lose its carbonation. Check also: How long does a Crowler last?
No, you should not use a growler as a keg. Growlers are not airtight and can allow oxygen to enter the beer, which can cause off-flavors. In addition, growlers are not pressure-rated and can explode if used as a keg.
