There’s nothing worse than cracking open a cold one only to find that, guess what, it’s not cold anymore. That’s where insulated beer growlers come in. Traditional beer growlers come in amber glass and are used to transport beer from brewers or to be sold by bars to consumers, but the kind we’re talking about are made from vacuum-insulated stainless steel. These insulated growlers keep your beer cold and carbonated for longer.
The great thing about these beer growlers is that you can pop into your local bar and pay them to fill up your insulated growler (check your local ordinances, of course). Then, you can haul your growler on your camping trip or to your friend’s picnic, ensuring you’ll have beer that’s way fresher than the canned stuff.
Some of these options, like the ones from uKeg, have built-in taps and caps with CO2 canisters to keep your beer carbonated for as long as possible. Others are more like giant water bottles, but for beer. These bottles’ massive 64 oz size will allow you to serve four pints, and many of them have lids that are conveniently shaped for easier pouring. Of course, if you’re a teetotaler (or you just don’t like beer) you can use the growlers to keep your water cold.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite growlers on the market that will meet your beer and drink transporting needs.
1. Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Growler
The Stanley Classic Vaccum Insulated Growler is BPA-free and can keep your beer cold for 24 hours. Its vacuum insulated body and foam insulated lid trap all the cold in the bottle ensuring optimal chillness. Its heavy-duty exterior and handle make this growler durable, and a great companion for keeping your beer cold on a long hike, outdoor trip, or festival where you will be out in the sun.
Pros: Supreme insulation that will keep liquids chilled.
Cons: Smaller handle, which could make it difficult to carry on a long hike.
2. MiiR Insulated Growler for Beer
Miir’s travel containers have a stylish, minimalist look and that’s true of their sleek 64 oz beer growler. If you prefer a smaller size, you can also choose the 32 oz version. The 64 oz growler has an angled handle for easier pouring and a lid lock buckle that snaps into place to ensure proper insulation. The growler is available in white, blue, stainless steel and black. The double-walled container keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and the 18/8 stainless steel is designed to not impart a metallic taste in the beverage.
Pros: Stylish minimalist look. Convenient buckle to ensure proper lid closure. Convenient carrying handle.
Cons: Expensive.
3. GrowlerWerks uKeg Go Carbonated Growler
The uKeg Go from GrowlerWerks combines the portability of a travel water bottle with the functionality of a full-size growler. Where the full version has a pressure gauge and a visible fill line, this growler has a simple 64 oz insulated body, like a water bottle, with a pour spout and carbonation cap, like uKeg’s full-size growlers. The lid has various settings for different liquids, and it’s designed to be easy to insert the CO2 cartridge into the lid.
Pros: Portable 64 oz growler is a good option for camping trips. Keeps drinks carbonated and cold. Two different CO2 settings for different drinks.
Cons: Not designed to make uncarbonated drinks carbonated, just keeps carbonated drinks carbonated and cold. CO2 canisters not included.
4. UKeg Pressurized Growler for Craft Beer
The Ukeg Pressurized Growler is made specifically to hold craft beer because of its adjustable VPR cap and gauge that lets you adjust the carbonation level for different beers. This growler promises to keep your beer fresh and carbonated by keeping oxygen out with its vacuum-sealed lid, adjustable cap and pressure gauge. This growler also comes with a custom tap handle that allows you to easily distribute the beer into a glass without opening the growler. This is a great growler to bring to social gatherings for sharing your homebrew with all your friends.
Pros: Pressurized container, adjustable carbonation levels, comes with tap cap.
Cons: Can be difficult to learn how to use at the beginning.
5. Simple Modern Spirit 25oz Wine Bottle
Most of the options on this list are for beer, but wine-drinkers shouldn’t be left out of the conversation. If you’re looking for a way to take a bottle of wine camping or to a picnic, consider Simple Modern’s stylish and simple wine growlers. They’re double-wall insulated like a travel water bottle but are sized and shaped for pouring wine. The 25 oz size is designed to hold an entire bottle of wine and keep it cold for hours.
Pros: Available in a variety of colors. Keeps wine cold for up to 28 hours. Wine-shaped bottle for easy pouring.
Cons: Narrow mouth can make it hard to clean without a brush.
6. Hydro Flask 64 oz. Beer Growler
The makers of your favorite travel water bottle also make a great beer growler. Hydro Flask’s growler has a convenient twist-off lid with a rounded grip near the mouth for stable pouring. It’s made from high-quality stainless steel that won’t impart or absorb flavor from your drink. This growler uses the same vacuum-insulation that’s found in Hydro Flask’s water bottles, allowing your beer to stay cold for up to 24 hours. Like most of Hydro Flask’s products, this growler is available in a variety of colors. It comes in 32 or 64 oz sizes.
Pros: Convenient pour spot with a comfortable grip for steady pouring. Available in several colors.
Cons: Unlike Hydroflasks’ other products, the lid on this is not interchangeable.