Insulated Growlers

[brew703]

For those that have them, which is best: swing top or screw top?
I've been looking at several brands, some are insulated and some are not but come with an insulated type wrap.
For those who have them and satisfied with the product please let me know which ones are recommended and which to stay away from.
Thanks!

 

[poptarts]

I have a hydro flask and love it. They come in tons of shapes and sizes. Keeps cold stuff cold and hot stuff hot really well.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069EB1M2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[HLSheppard]

I got a Drinktank for Christmas and have been nothing but happy with it. It's pricey but works like a charm! It has kept beer cold for 4 and 5 hours with no hassle at all.

 

[LostHopper]

I got a Drinktank for Christmas and have been nothing but happy with it. It's pricey but works like a charm! It has kept beer cold for 4 and 5 hours with no hassle at all.

Same for me. Works well.

 

[Rev2010]

I have one of these 1L swing top steel growlers and it does the job just fine for me:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FDWZOAG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Though I bought it when it was only $20 only a few months back. It's only single walled but seems to retain coldness nicely. I'd of course prefer double walled but I only seem to find them in larger sizes and I really only wanted no more than 1 liter so I can bring in some beer for my work colleagues to try, which this works great for.

So long as it's not the flimsy aluminium screw on top like on glass growlers I think you'll be ok with either, but personally I prefer swing top.


Rev.

 

[heckels]

I paid $49.99 for a 2-pack of these from Costco. For the price at Costco they're a good bargain but I would not spend anything more than that.

The two times I've used them they've leaked where the top part screws onto the body. If you can keep em upright they're great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QYCBYBC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Admittedly, I may have over tightened the lid. I'm going to try backing the lid off a quarter turn next time to see if the gasket was getting kinked and causing a leak.

 

[Lbm]

I got a Drinktank for Christmas and have been nothing but happy with it. It's pricey but works like a charm! It has kept beer cold for 4 and 5 hours with no hassle at all.

I also got a Drinktank for Christmas and have to say I do like it a lot.

 

[brew703]

I really like the DrinkTank growlers but they are a bit more than I want to spend plus $10 shipping.
I'm leaning towards the Miir and if ordered from their web site I would get 15% off first order and free shipping. Plus the handle is $5 vs $10 on Amazon.
Here's another one I like, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017FBBQMM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20.

 

[brew703]

Has anyone had a leak failure of the lid, either the screw on top or swing top? I prefer the swing type as they seem the top would seal better than the screw type.

 

[HLSheppard]

Not with mine (Drinktank). It will even hold pressure effortlessly. I agree that they are pricey but I think the value is there (depending on how much you're planning on using it).

 

[brew703]

Not with mine (Drinktank). It will even hold pressure effortlessly. I agree that they are pricey but I think the value is there (depending on how much you're planning on using it).

I'll probably use it a few times a month for various things. Not even sure if any of the breweries will fill it or not. That's not a real issue. I mainly want it for when my wife and I go places I can bring the growler in place of actual bottles.

 

[brew703]

Another question I would like to ask:
If you fill with beer and open to pour a glass will the last pour still be carbonated? I assume it would be similar to pouring soft drink from a 2L?

 

[HLSheppard]

I'll probably use it a few times a month for various things. Not even sure if any of the breweries will fill it or not. That's not a real issue. I mainly want it for when my wife and I go places I can bring the growler in place of actual bottles.

That's how I use it as well. I share my homebrew with family members at parties, etc. It's similar to any other growler - obviously where it will go flat over time but so far it's never lasted long enough to be a problem.

However, with the Drinktank, you can add a different top that accommodates a CO2 cartridge and a picnic tap for actual "keg functionality." I don't own that piece as it's an additional $45 or so on top of the (already high) cost. To each their own. I know some folks LOVE that setup, however.

 

[Rev2010]

Has anyone had a leak failure of the lid, either the screw on top or swing top? I prefer the swing type as they seem the top would seal better than the screw type.

Not with my swing top, and I've carried it from home on public transportation during my commute into work.

As for carbonation, I've only had it where I had about 1/3rd left in the growler and opened and served about 3-4 hours later and it was just as carbed as the first opening. Like anything though carbonation will come out of the liquid and into the headspace over time.


Rev.

 

[brew703]

The most I'll need is 5-6 hrs max so if the carbonation last that long with opening and closing then I would be satisfied.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[brew703]

That's how I use it as well. I share my homebrew with family members at parties, etc. It's similar to any other growler - obviously where it will go flat over time but so far it's never lasted long enough to be a problem.

However, with the Drinktank, you can add a different top that accommodates a CO2 cartridge and a picnic tap for actual "keg functionality." I don't own that piece as it's an additional $45 or so on top of the (already high) cost. To each their own. I know some folks LOVE that setup, however.

I saw the picnic tap and while cool, just too expensive for me.

 

[Lbm]

Another question I would like to ask:

If you fill with beer and open to pour a glass will the last pour still be carbonated? I assume it would be similar to pouring soft drink from a 2L?

I don't have any problems with the Drinktank keeping my beer carbed up for hours. I have even left it in the fridge with leftover beer, which was still carbonated the next day. It's just the Drinktank, no special keg cap or anything.

 

[brew703]

Well chit. I was pretty well set on the Miir but I really like the DrinkTank.

 

[brew703]

The Miir is $55 and I have a 15% off coupon/free shipping. Total is $51.70 with the handle.
http://www.miir.com/the-growler

The Drinktank is $69 plus shipping of $14.47 for a total of $83.47.
http://www.drinktanks.com/product/64-oz-growler/?attribute_pa_color=stainless-steel

The Drinktank is $32 more when all said and done.
Is there anything besides physical appearance that would make the Drinktank worth the extra money?

Don't get me wrong. I really like the Drinktank but not sure if the extra $32 is justified.

Does anyone have a Miir and if so satisfied or not?

 

[Lbm]

If I was buying it myself, I would probably get the Miir. It looks comparable to the Drinktank in construction. $32 is an extra batch of beer. My Drinktank was a gift, so I didn't spend the money.

I found this comparison online and they choose the Miir:

http://www.backpacker.com/gear/reviews/tested-the-best-outdoor-beer-growlers-of-2015/

 

[milldoggy]

Fifty fifty is the way to go, amazon has them for less than 30$ occasionally. Mine stays cold for 1-2 days at room temps

 

[brew703]

Decided to go with the Miir. Didn't want to spend the additional $30 for a DrinkTank.
Will report back once received and put to use.

 

[RichH]

I don't have any problems with the Drinktank keeping my beer carbed up for hours. I have even left it in the fridge with leftover beer, which was still carbonated the next day. It's just the Drinktank, no special keg cap or anything.

I'm still waiting for my Kickstarter 1 gallon Drinktank with the "kegulator". Glad to hear people are happy with their growlers!

 

[aimlessbum]

Don't mean to show off, but... my wife got me these for my birthday last year. Not only do they keep beer cold for over a day, they have my logo on them!!
http://www.amazon.com/Hydro-Flask-Insulated-Stainless-64-Ounce/dp/B005G5YRYY/ref=sr_1_11?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1454637982&sr=1-11&keywords=hydro+flask

 

[kcinpdx]

Well, a very awesome relative ordered me one of these for Christmas. It is on backorder, so I will provide a review after I receive it:
http://www.growlerwerks.com/collections/all/products/copper-plated-ukeg-128

 

[brew703]

Don't mean to show off, but... my wife got me these for my birthday last year. Not only do they keep beer cold for over a day, they have my logo on them!!
http://www.amazon.com/Hydro-Flask-Insulated-Stainless-64-Ounce/dp/B005G5YRYY/ref=sr_1_11?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1454637982&sr=1-11&keywords=hydro+flask

Nice gift. Awesome logo.
There was a web site I found with insulated growlers where they add a logo. Price wasn't too bad but I think it had the twist top and I wanted the swing top.

 

[brew703]

I'm still waiting for my Kickstarter 1 gallon Drinktank with the "kegulator". Glad to hear people are happy with their growlers!

I really like the Drinktank but the cost was more than I wanted to pay. plus there was a comparison where the Miir came out on top by a slim margin. And the Miir was $30 cheaper when all said and done.

The Kegulator is cool.

 

[BigTerp]

I received a Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Growler for Christmas. Love it!! Very well constructed and it's kept my beer cold and carbed for 8+ hours easily. The handle makes for easy pouring compared to other stainless growlers where you have to grip around the entire growler to pour a pint.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019DZCV7C/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[aimlessbum]

Nice gift. Awesome logo.
There was a web site I found with insulated growlers where they add a logo. Price wasn't too bad but I think it had the twist top and I wanted the swing top.

Thanks! As much as I love the growlers, the twist tops are a PITA to open. I would have gone swing top knowing that I know now.

 

[brew703]

Update:
Received the Miir yesterday. Two day shipping-not too bad.

Sad to say but I'm returning the Miir and ordered the Drinktank.

The packaging the Miir came in SUCKS! The growler was in the box with a piece of bubble wrap draped over it. Miir really needs to do a better job of packaging their products. These things are not cheap and I don't want a product that arrives in ****ty condition. Not secure at all and that resulted in scratches and a dent in the lid. Also the rubber gasket around the lid had a slight tear. Not an issue now but from repeated opening and closing I could see failure down the road.

I also did not care for the design of the lid. I'm sure over time I would have become accustomed to it and would be second nature to close open/close it. One design flaw is the clamp used for the lid: when you secure the lid down, the metal clamp rubs against the growler. Over time this will wear on the stainless causing blemishes.

The stainless appears to be the cheap kind like you find on refrigerators. It smudges easily. I opted for the stainless one because I read where the painted versions had issues with paint chipping.

The plus is it is made well and would probably have lasted if taken care of properly. I emailed Miir's customer service and explained to them the issue and was sent a prepaid label to return and a refund will be issued once the item is received.

Now I have to wait a couple days for the Drinktank to arrive on Tuesday.