Growler (jug) facts for kids
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A growler is a special type of bottle or jug. It is usually made from glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. People use growlers to carry fresh, unpackaged drinks from places that make them. These containers are often sold at places called breweries, which make craft beverages. They let you take home freshly made drinks. Sometimes, growlers are also used to sell special drinks in stores. Because more and more small, local drink makers are opening, and many people enjoy making drinks at home, growlers have become quite popular. You can even find growler filling stations in some grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants.
A crowler is a different kind of container. It's like a mix of a "can" and a "growler." A crowler is a metal can that can be filled and sealed by a machine. The chosen drink is poured into the can, and then a special pop-top lid is sealed onto it. Unlike a growler bottle, a crowler cannot be reused. However, crowlers are often easier to carry around. The main thing to remember is that crowlers are usually smaller. They are often about a quart (32 U.S. fluid ounces or 946 milliliters) or a liter (33.8 U.S. fluid ounces) in size.
Contents
What is a Growler?
What are Growlers Made Of?
Most growlers are made of glass. They usually have either a screw-on cap or a special hinged cap with a porcelain seal. This type of cap helps keep the drink fresh for a week or even longer. If a growler is sealed correctly, it can hold the fizz (carbonation) of a drink for a very long time. It stores the drink just like any other clean bottle. Some growler caps even have special valves. These valves help replace any carbon dioxide gas that might be lost when the drink is poured. The modern glass growler was first created by Charlie and Ernie Otto. They introduced it in 1989 at their Otto Brothers' Brewing Company in Wyoming.
The two most common colors for glass growlers are amber (a brownish color) and clear. Clear growlers often cost a bit more than amber ones. Growlers usually have glass handles, but you can also find some with metal handles that have fancy designs. Some smaller growlers, especially those less than 64 U.S. fluid ounces, do not have handles. These often use the Grolsch-style flip-top caps.
How are Growlers Used?
In the United States, refilling a growler can cost anywhere from $5 to $30. When you first buy a growler, you might have to pay a small deposit. This deposit is sometimes given back to you when you return the growler.
Different Sizes of Growlers
The most popular size for a growler is 64 U.S. fluid ounces (about 1.9 liters). However, growlers come in many other sizes too. You can find them in 32 U.S. fluid ounces (which is 1 U.S. quart). This smaller size is sometimes called a "howler," which might be short for "half growler." Growlers also come in larger sizes, like 128 U.S. fluid ounces (which is 1 U.S. gallon). You can also find them in 1-liter and 2-liter sizes.
Where Did the Name "Growler" Come From?
The name "growler" probably started in the late 1800s. Back then, people would carry fresh drinks from a local shop to their homes. They used a small metal pail for this. It is said that the sound the carbon dioxide gas made as it escaped from the pail's lid, while the drink sloshed around, sounded like a "growl." That's how the name might have stuck!
