How Long Does Beer Last in a Growler? Best Storage Tips For Beer

A growler is a great alternative for taking a beer with you when you're out and about or if you would like to try a pint instead of buying a whole keg. We’ll take a closer peek at what growlers are, the various kinds available, how to care properly for them, and why everyone who loves craft beers needs to own one.

What Is a Beer Growler?

A growler is a type of glass bottle used for transporting and storing craft beers. It can also be described as an air-tight jug, typically made out of glass, ceramic or stainless steel that allows you to take different types of beer from one place to another without a degradation of quality.

How Long Does Beer Last in a Growler?

A growler of brew will usually last for at least 1 to 7 days and can even go last for 2 weeks if kept cold and stored properly. You can drink fresh beer from an opened growler for up to 36 hrs or one to two days before it goes flat and loses its taste. This is why it is recommended to open your growler until you're ready to drink it so that you don't waste any beer.

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Tips for Storage

If it is stored properly, the beer will keep well for several days. Here are tips to store a growler of beer.

• Make sure that you store an opened grower of beer in the refrigerator at 38 degrees Fahrenheit or lower all day long.
• Place the growler of beer at the back bottom shelf so that it doesn't get affected by sunlight and heat.
• Once you've got your growler home, store it in the fridge so that it stays cool. You don't want to expose the bottle to any light during transport.
• Use Dark-colored growlers to keep beer safe from light exposure during transport.

Model Featured: Libbey 70216 32 Oz. Amber Growler With Lid

How Does One Tell if a Growler of Beer is Bad?

If you want to know whether a growler of beer has gone bad, first check its appearance. Typically, top-fermented beer has a creamy white head called “white cap” because its yeast doesn’t produce many foamy bubbles. When there are lots of air pockets and CO₂ gases in the liquid, the head forms. If it isn't fermented for long enough, you won't see any white foam on the surface.

Bottom-fermented beers tend to produce lots of bubbles and foamy heads. If you want to know whether a growler of ale is good or not, look at its color. If it’s white, then this could be due to oxidation or exposure to sunlight. You may want to avoid drinking something that looks wrong because the flavor will be different than expected.

History of Growlers

There is no definitive answer for where the word growler comes from, but there are several theories. In the 1800s, growlers were metal pails used to transport beer from the local taverns to the patron's home.

Some people think the term “growl” originated from the noise that the bucket makes when the carbon dioxide escapes through its lid. Others say the growling comes from another source.

Some believe that either the bartender or the patron would be responsible for the term because the bartender was meant to pour only one pint into the container, while the patron wanted to buy a bucket that contained more than just a single pint.

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There was actually a period of time in which the use of growlers was outlawed, mainly stemming from the fact that children were often sent out to pick up a pail full of beer for their father. This problem has been causing concern among many of the same groups that supported Prohibition, and their concerns have led some municipalities to ban the sale of these products entirely.

Eventually, the growler became popular again, and the present form is one of the most commonly used containers for transporting draft beers from their sources.

Types of Growlers

There are several different kinds of growlers that you should know about. Understanding the differences among these different types will help you decide which one is best for you.

Glass Growlers

These are usually the most common types of growlers you'll see people carrying around. They're easy to get hold of. You can usually buy them in either clear or brown glass. However, I would personally recommend not buying a growler from a brewery that uses clear bottles because the beer may spoil if it sits in the sunlight

One of the advantages of using a glass grower is that you can see into it. This makes it easier to fill up during the filling process and gives you an idea of how much there is to drink.

However, one of the downsides of glass growler bottles is that they may break, chip, and/or shard if handled carelessly. They're too fragile to be used while on the go. Instead, choose a growler that's better suited to your needs. Take good care of them, and they will take good care of you for many decades to come.

Model Featured: Libbey 70216 32 Oz. Amber Growler With Lid

Stainless Steel Growlers

These types of growlers are very popular because they're easy to transport and unlikely to break if dropped. The stainless steel construction will keep your beer or other liquid for much longer than any of the other types of growlers.

For hiking, camping, or attending concerts, a stainless-steel growling would be the best option for you. They're easy to transport, they keep your beer cold for longer, and they're durable enough to be used on the go.

One major drawback of stainless steel growlers is that they don't allow you to see inside them, making it somewhat harder to fill and know when you're running low.

Ceramic Growlers

This is another common kind of growler, but they're a bit harder to find than most and usually cost more. Ceramic growler bottles are aesthetically pleasing, but they can be quite heavy to carry around and rather difficult to clean. Because you cannot actually “look inside” of it, you might experience some difficulties during the filling and cleaning processes.

Ceramic growler bottles are still prone to breakage if they're dropped or mishandled. Of course, that isn't to say you shouldn't avoid ceramic growlers. They definitely get the work done.

Benefits of Growlers

Provides an Easy Way to Transport Draft Beer

Growlers are extremely portable. Most growlers will come with a handle so you can carry them by hand. They're not too heavy even if they're full of beer. They're easy to carry and store at once. Because they're airtight, the beer will stay fresh even if you transport them.

Instead of describing your new favorite beer, you can just bring it to your friend’s house where they can enjoy it together, or instead of trying to offer a description of your new favorite beer, or having to wait until the next time you both can go to the bar or brewery

Get Home Beer From the Local Brewery!

Depending on the law of your area, having a growler may be beneficial because you can take home beer directly from the brewer. Nothing beats that first taste of a freshly brewed pint straight from the brewery. However, don't expect every brewery to fill up a growler just because you ask them to. And if they do, they might have some rules they want you to abide by. Make sure you call them first and confirm that they will be able to meet your needs.

Model Featured: Libbey 70216 32 Oz. Amber Growler With Lid

You Can Share Your Homebrew

With the growing popularity of homebrewing, people who enjoy making beer will want to share their creations with others. Of course, bottling your homemade beer is an easy way to share the fun. Pouring into a growler is the easiest way for beer to be transported without completely spoiling it.

Use it to Tap a New Keg

Growler fills for bar owners and party planners can be used for a variety of purposes. As the keg gets low, the remaining beer may be transferred into one or more growler bottles. It allows for a new keg to get tapped, while also ensuring there is still beer left.

For bartenders, this is especially important because they won't have any gaps in service and their kegs can be opened without having to wait for customers. If you're planning a party, you might want to consider stocking up on growler jugs for your guests. You could even ask them if they'd prefer a specific brand or style of the growler.

Ready to Put Your New Growlers to Use?

Whether you are a home brewer or a bar owner, get ready to start serving up amazing drinks! With a few basic supplies and a few simple tips and tricks, your drinks can be better than anything you've ever made before.

We provide bartending supplies and cocktail-making tools for professional and home bartenders. Get in touch, and we'll help you get all the restaurant equipment you need to run your business!