October is for beer. From Oktoberfest events to pumpkin-flavored ales, this chilled-down month serves up frothy pints all across Atlanta. In recent years the city’s craft beer scene has exploded, with beer-themed festivals and brand new breweries overtaking every corner. You can belly up to a bar and taste many of Georgia’s favorite local drinks (seasonal and year-round) from Sweetwater, Terrapin or Monday Night Brewing.
But what if your homebody heart craves your favorite craft beer in the comfort of your own home? What if your local liquor store only stocks sad shelves of Bud Light? Then The Beer Growler is at your service. Started in winter of 2010, The Beer Growler’s seven locations sell 32 and 64 ounce growlers (jug-like containers) and all the beer, cider or soda you could ever want to fill them with. Once you have your own growler, which you can bring with you or buy on-site, you can have it filled with the libation of your choice.
With 45 taps, there’s plenty to choose from, from sweet Hefeweizens to sturdy IPAs. Many of Atlanta’s breweries are represented, with selections from Monday Night Brewing, Red Brick, Red Hare, Sweetwater, Three Taverns, Wild Heaven and Terrapin. “At The Beer Growler you are getting the freshest craft beer to go, rather than drinking from a bottle that’s been sitting on a shelf for months,” says co-owner Paul Saunders. Particularly in the fall and winter months, business is overflowing.
However, the Beer Growler didn’t have an easy start in Atlanta’s growing beer scene; growler stores are technically illegal in the state of Georgia, as growlers are not considered an “original package.” Saunders and his partners Dennis Young and Sean Galvin found a loophole in the law: after filling a growler and sealing it with a tamper-proof seal, it could be deemed an original package. The Department of Revenue agreed and The Beer Growler was in business.
For connoisseurs and beer-beginners alike, The Beer Growler offers samples at every store to help customers sort through all the options. “The best way to enjoy The Beer Growler is to go in open minded and prepared to expand your palate,” says Saunders. “Try something new. If you know a particular style of beer you love, our staff can help you find the perfect match and can show you something you might have never gotten before.”
If you’re new to the growler trend, consider buying your first growler at the store. From the basic brown glass growlers to fancier swing-top options to keep your beer extra-fresh, shopping for a growler can be just as fun as picking what fills it. Saunders says, “We have stainless steel containers for those rugged, poolside outdoorsmen, and our newest addition is a stainless steel 64 ounce mini keg, which really looks like a keg. Maybe a keg for a Hobbit, but it’s still pretty sweet.”
However you classify yourself, there’s a growler out there waiting for you.
Check out The Beer Growler in Avondale, Alpharetta, Brookhaven, John’s Creek, Sandy Springs, Suwanee and Savannah.