Growlers have come a long way over the last few years. As craft beer culture has grown, so has people’s appreciation of this timeless transporter of our favourite amber liquids.
Just as craft beers have developed over the last few years, so have growlers. Nowadays, it’s increasingly common to find stainless steel growlers alongside the traditional glass versions.
But what is the difference between glass and steel growlers? Here are some of the main reasons why glass growlers remain a favourite, alongside some other points to determine which is right for you.
Price
In most circumstances, you’ll find that glass growlers are considerably cheaper than stainless steel alternatives.
This factor is key both for individuals and breweries who are looking for wholesale growlers.
It can be argued that steel growlers are an investment and, with good care, can last for many years. However, the same can be said about quality glass growlers.
Style
As many craft beer companies know, good looks can go a long way, and nothing can beat the timeless style of a glass growler.
All of our models are inspired by the classic styles of growlers throughout history. While steel growlers are technically good, they just don't have the same appeal as a bulky, curved amber glass growler.
We also offer a bespoke printing service for our growlers, so you can add your brewery’s label for a standout design.
Durability
A durable growler is important for people who want to be out and about with their favourite craft beer. Steel growlers offer some benefits in this regard, but generally, all quality growlers offer durability.
If you plan to go hiking or trekking with your growler, you may wish to invest in a steel version that can survive heavy bangs. However, for normal Joes, so long as you’re not throwing it around, a quality glass growler will offer more than enough durability.
Visibility
Visibility for growlers is something of a double-edged sword, so there are advantages for both glass and steel growlers.
First of all, we need to talk about UV rays, which can impact the quality of your beer. Steel growlers offer a slight benefit here as they completely block out sunlight and can help keep beer cool.
That being said, amber glass growlers also offer a level of protection from sunlight, albeit not full protection. Still, so long as you’re not leaving your growler to cook in the sun, a glass growler should offer enough protection.
Secondly, you have the issue of cleaning your growler. It’s vital that you clean your growler thoroughly, and that’s much easier to do when you can see any residue at the bottom.
For this reason, glass growlers are considerably easier to clean than their steel counterparts which offer zero visibility.
As you can see, there are a whole host of arguments for both glass and steel growlers.
Ultimately, the biggest thing to consider for patrons is what your local bar or brewery allows. Some may not refill your steel growler as they can’t know if it’s been cleaned, whereas others may only accept their unique growlers.
For breweries and pubs, you will want to consider what works best for your brand and customers. If you have any questions about introducing growlers to your operation, feel free to contact our experienced team to discuss your options.
Alternatively, view our testimonials for more commercial beer growler inspiration.