How Long Does Beer in a Growler Last?

We’ll be having our beers to-go! A historic staple, growlers allow beer aficionados to take their favorite brews home from local breweries and pubs. The growler’s neck and handle make transporting beer simple, while its storage capabilities maintain the brew’s properties. 

How long do growlers last? Growlers are generally recommended for short-term storage since most breweries cannot offer a perfect, airtight seal. In optimal conditions, an unopened, refrigerated growler generally lasts about 1-2 weeks, although opening it sooner rather than later is suggested. Delve into our article to discover the pivotal factors that affect the freshness of your growler’s contents!

A growler is a type of bottle or jug specifically designed to transport beer. Popular with craft breweries, growlers frequently have small handles on their necks to allow customers to carry them home. Their narrow mouths make it easy to pour, whether you’re portioning out your beer or drinking straight from the bottle. In most cases, growlers are also reusable long-term and offer an airtight seal when paired with the right closure. Licensed breweries can fill and refill growlers using a tube connected to the tap.

Glass growlers are a wonderful solution for smaller breweries who are not yet equipped for distribution but want to give their customers a chance to enjoy draft beer beyond the brewery. Boasting classic clear or amber hues, glass beer growlers make excellent collectible items for beer lovers, especially when customized with unique labels. 

The primary differences between the freshness of a beer bottle or can and a beer growler is its filling process. When beer bottles and cans are filled, they are cleaned and flushed with CO2 to displace the oxygen. However, when growlers are filled via tap, they do not undergo these processes. They are more prone to damage caused by oxygen and oxidation.

Growlers at your local brewery are most often filled by hand, meaning they may not exhibit consistent seals. With this variable in mind, after being sealed at a brewery, unopened beer growlers can be expected to last 1-2 weeks in proper conditions. Breweries and individuals may opt for an extra covering around the cap, such as tape or shrink wrap. 

Once you open your growler, the metaphorical timer begins to tick as more oxygen enters the container. It is recommended to consume or serve the entirety of your growler within 24-36 hours of opening it. Otherwise, the brew may turn flat and stale, fermenting at a faster rate. 

In order to maintain your growler's shelf life, optimize storage conditions to avoid sun and heat damage.

When beer is exposed to sunlight, particularly to ultraviolet (UV) rays, it can undergo a reaction called “skunking” which leads to an unpleasant change in flavor. This reaction can occur in a fraction of a minute. Storing your brew away from sunlight is the best way to prevent the lightstruck flavor, but darker and opaque containers can additionally shield your beer from harmful rays. 

Keeping your growler in a cool, dark place– preferably the refrigerator– slows down the oxidative process and increases growler shelf life. The cold temperatures reduce the rate of chemical reactions that lead to staleness. Alternatively, growlers kept in high temperatures develop unfavorable flavors, increase internal pressure and face the risk of bursting.

Properly cleaning your growler between uses ensures there are no bacteria in the bottle, which can lead to more beer fermentation. To clean your beer growler, rinse several times with warm water. For a deeper clean, you can add a small amount of white vinegar, shake, and rinse. Let your growler air dry thoroughly.

In addition to best practices that maximize the freshness of beer in a growler, the type of beer, growler and closure can influence the longevity of your growler’s beer.

Light beers, such as lagers and pale ales, tend to have a shorter shelf life than heavier, craft beers like stouts. This is because craft beer often has a higher alcohol content, which acts as a preservative. 

Some of the first beer growlers were pails and pitchers used to transport beer home from the tavern. Today, popular styles of growlers encompass industry classics such as glass, artisan ceramic growlers, plastic growlers, and modern growlers made of stainless steel.

As mentioned above, beer requires UV protection to maintain its flavor. Glass growlers offer a range of protection depending on their color. Amber glass offers more UV protection than clear glass, making it the more common hue for glass beer growlers, but clear growlers offer transparency for a controlled fill.

Glass growlers enjoy the benefits of glass. They are temperature resistant and safe to refrigerate. Glass is also an organic, non-toxic substance which can easily be recycled.

Ceramic beer growlers are usually hand-crafted, personalized growlers. They make for excellent gifts and bar accessories, exhibiting one-of-a-kind designs, colors, and patterns. In terms of UV protection, their opaque walls block out sunlight. Ceramic growlers are also safe to refrigerate.

Stainless steel growlers combine a timeless function with modern technology, like vacuum insulation and temperature retention. Their designs range from traditional to trendy, with popular brands such as Stanley and Hydro Flask offering stainless steel growlers.

Plastic Growler Bottles do not share the typical growler shape or application. These lightweight, PET bottles have a unique shape to prevent pressure buildup. Instead, they expand when the contents get warm. These growlers are perfect for bottling draft beer (beer growlers), sodas, and other beverages. 

Stainless steel, glass, and aluminum pressurized growlers, also called mini keg growlers, are designed with pressurized dispenser systems that maintain the carbonation level. Due to their advanced features, pressurized growlers can last 2 weeks or longer depending on the model.

A growler's closure type will affect how efficiently it protects the beer inside from contact with oxygen. Beer growlers are most commonly associated with screw top or swing top closures. The contents of this article primarily refer to these closures types, which can keep beer fresh for about 1-2 weeks.

Unopened, well-sealed growlers will last about 1-2 weeks when kept in proper conditions: refrigerated and away from sunlight.

Yes, you can put glass, plastic, stainless steel, and pressurized growlers in a fridge within the 35-40F range. Most ceramic growlers can also be refrigerated, but avoid temperature shock caused by rapid heating or cooling. Do not put growlers in the freezer as this can lead to shattering.

Unopened, well-sealed growlers will last about 1-2 weeks in the fridge. Pressurized growlers can last more than 2 weeks depending on their technology. 

When a growler gets warm, the heat speeds up the beer’s oxidation, changing its flavor and promoting bacterial growth. The increased temperature can also raise pressure, losing carbonation and increasing the risk of bursting.

You’ll know your growler bottle is bad when it has an unappealing smell or pops upon opening. Beer that has gone bad has a musty or skunky smell and sour taste.

A growler can last long and be reused if it is rinsed and dried between uses. If full, growlers can last longer when kept refrigerated, away from the sun, and unopened.

At The Cary Company, we recognize the importance of quality, dependable containers and packaging that leave you feeling confident in your purchase. Apart from answering questions such as “How long does beer in a growler last?”, we take pride in our bulk distribution and excellent customer service. Just give us a call at 630.629.6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com!

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