ADVICE: Guy Gift Guide, Beer Growler
Alright, so you’ve finally fought through the pressures and indecisions to find a Christmas present for women in your life but need one for your guys, or you’re shopping for your boyfriend and want to get him something more interesting than the Swiss-Army knife + wallet kit or comfy t-shirt.
Either way, you realize time is running out, and everyone’s low on cash from Black Friday deals and big item purchases, leaving you to be creative and frugal. But before you seek out creativity and relief at the bottom of the bottle, get him just that: a beer growler.
Gimme the big boy glass
But listen, this isn’t your ordinary beer bottle. This glass container of brewed wonder has been 200 years in the making and dates all the way back to the 1800s.
First born as a tin pail, men would take their growlers to the local saloon and have them filled to enjoy in their own home. It’s thought that “growler” comes from the rumbling sound of the CO2 escaping the lid on the trip home, but it’s also rumored that the growling came from worker’s hungry stomachs yearning for hoppy goodness.
Nonetheless, a brilliant idea.
Fast forward to the 1980s, and growlers make a comeback when the Otto Brothers began using today’s curved glass jug with a more secure screw cap. Just like the old days, take your new favorite little jugs to the nearest brewery and they’ll fill it with their finest craft brew. And as long as it has the surgeon’s warning on the side, all (unbiased) breweries should top you off.
Typically in 1 liter (32oz) and ½ gallon (64oz) sizes, beer growlers cost around $5 and then the filling price that varies with beer quality.
With a beer glass this size, you're gonna need more freezer space
No matter the beer’s cost, with no brewer canning or distribution costs, you’re guaranteed to save money.
Last weekend I spent a total of $5 filling the growler with an American Pale Ale. The cost of the same amount in the store? $16. I’m not good at math, but that’s ten bucks guaranteed to make your buddy happy every time.
Now, you might question what the benefits of filling a huge jug with draft beer when shelf life is much lower than a 12 pack. I mean, a growler will last about two weeks before the bubbles fizz out, and lasts only a few days once temptation wins over your sipping urges. As terrible as it sounds, this is actually a benefit. Because you probably shouldn’t drink four pints in one sitting, your growler-recipient is bound to invite you to share a drink or two. Add a few more growlers and you have yourself a great football Sunday or poker night.
So whether you’re on a tight budget, shopping for a man of interest, or just want to feel like giving a manly gift, give the gift of your great great great grandfather and stop by the nearest brewery for a beer growler.
You, your friend, and both your intelligible thirsts will not be disappointed.
Image & Information Credits: bottless.net, brewlounge.com, beeradvocate.com, onlineathens.com, blog.seattlepi.com
When he’s not writing about the most helpful travel adapter for your next Germany Beer tour, Nate Schrader of TravelProducts.com enjoys outdoors obstacle races, Mad Men, and touring the country’s breweries for a taste of the local favorite.
