Can I bottle beer in a growler? (+5 Growler safety tips)
In this article, we will answer the question “Can I bottle beer in a growler?”, and how to store a growler?
Can I bottle beer in a growler?
Yes, you can bottle beer in a growler but It is not recommended. Beer bottled in a growler is always at risk of explosion. It is because bottle conditioning releases carbon dioxide. This trapped carbon dioxide in the growler helps in the carbonation of the beer whilst creating pressure inside.
Unlike regular beer bottles, growlers are not designed to withstand such high pressures. The thin glass of a growler is quite evident of this fact. Growlers are ideal only for filling with carbonated or conditioned beer.
Bottle conditioning will create about 30 or 35 pounds of pressure which is far more than the conditioned draft beer. It is recommended to invest in a homebrew keg system. This will eliminate the safety concerns you have with conditioning in a growler.
With a homebrew keg system, the labor is significantly reduced plus you get to control the carbonation of the beer with the CO2 regulator that comes with it.
How long does beer last in a growler?
An unopened and chilled growler will keep the beer good for several days. The shelf-life is significantly increased If the growler bombards carbon dioxide into the beer through a filler. Once the growler is opened and the seal is broken, you only have 36 hours before the beer goes flat.
Where can I buy growlers and what is the price?
The price of a growler varies with the size and the material. Ceramic and stainless steel growlers will be a bit expensive than their glass counterparts. For example, a 32- or 64-ounce glass growler will be priced at around 6 dollars.
On the other hand, 64-ounce stainless steel growlers will be sold at around 22 dollars. Ceramic or stoneware growler of the same capacity will be priced at about 65 dollars, being the most expensive of all the growlers.
How do I care for a growler?
After emptying the growler, wash and rinse it thoroughly with hot water. Place the washed growler, in an upended position, on a dish drainer. Let the growler air dry. When both the cap and the growler are completely dry, seal the growler with the cap.
For a deep clean, add hot water and white vinegar into the growler. Shake well and rinse the growler with water. You can also use hot water with dish soap for this purpose. But the smell of the dish soap might linger If the growler is not washed thoroughly.
Growler storage tips
Put the growler in the fridge as soon as you get home. Make sure that the growler is not exposed to direct sunlight during its transport to your home. Dark-colored growler bottles help block the sunlight from reaching the beer in the growler.
The shelf-life of the beer in the growler is drastically reduced. Therefore, do not open the growler unless the beer is to be consumed within 36 hours.
Other FAQs about Beer which you may be interested in.
How long does beer last in a keg untapped?
How long does beer last in a growler?
The art of proper growler bottling
The shelf-life of the beer greatly depends upon the storage of the growler. The beer will inevitably go bad If the growler is stored incorrectly or contaminated during handling. The sanitation of a growler is very important to avoid contamination. The draft line of the filling end should also be properly cleaned.
Injecting the beer with carbon dioxide creates anaerobic conditions inside the growler. This prevents oxidation which prolongs the shelf-life of the beer.
If everything is in place but the seal is loose, the beer will go flat. To avoid this, o not use bad caps to seal your growler. Make sure the cap is tightly screwed after filling your growler.
In some parts of the world, the cap is surrounded by another protective layer i.e shrink wrap or durable tape. This ensures a tight seal and a longer shelf-life of the beer.
Growler safety
- When burning beer in glass growlers, make sure they are pressure rated. Make sure that the growler is approved for carbonated beverages.
- A growler should have at least 5% headspace. Overfilling might sound tempting but It compromises the quality and the safety of the beer.
- Place the growlers in a cool and dark place away from heat sources like direct sunlight and the stovetop.
- Before refilling the growler, check to see If the growler has any cracks or dents.
- Besides, wash the growler thoroughly for refilling. Prior contamination of the growler will cause the refermentation of the beer.
Other FAQs about Beer that you may be interested in.
What to do if I accidentally froze beer?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can I bottle beer in a growler?”, and how to store a growler?
