Hey Nerds,
Did you know that Texas was the last state in the US to allow beer-to-go sales from breweries? Don’t believe me? It wasn’t until May 2019 that Texas lawmakers voted to allow craft breweries to sell to-go beer directly to their customers at breweries, with the governor signing the bill on June 15. Effective September 1, 2019, Texas joined the ranks of our 49 sister states with craft breweries selling their delicious brews by the can/crowler/grunt/growler. It’s progress and was due in large part to avid craft beer fans and the Texas Craft Brewers Guild mobilizing those fans to action. I signed petitions and @ed my legislators because of their hard work.
Like many other small businesses in America craft breweries are hit HARD right now. As of 2018, there were over 7,000 craft breweries in the US. With not only their taprooms/tours closed, but also restaurant and bars, breweries are looking at a significantly decreased demand. But their beers are still delicious and they are still willing to sell them to you. So I wanted to share a little of what I know about beer-to-go and, if you are inclined to consume beer, maybe you’ll consider making a run the next time you head out of your home to help a local brewery try to stay afloat so they can welcome you back when everything reopens.
First off, it’s important to know that states are all different with what they allow. In Washington, breweries like Elysian are DELIVERING beer. That doesn’t fly in Texas (though those gems at the Texas Craft Brewers Guild have a petition you can sign to try to temporarily change that). Some have drive-thru tents set up so you don’t even have to get out of your vehicle. Heck, Milwaukee brewers got together for a “Beer Drive-Thru” event with multiple local breweries all in one location to increase the options for beer lovers. And breweries are also finding ways to creatively serve their customers and meet their broader needs. Here in Texas, new to the streets Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe has incredibly convenient online ordering for their dining menu, beers, merchandise, but also pantry items. Need cold cuts, eggs, or toilet paper? They have it. Plus you can pay to donate a meal to local healthcare workers and first responders. Breweries are evolving and coming up with creative solutions to their current situation.
So what do you need to know about beer-to-go? First, do your research. Look up what your local breweries have in terms of options. Need help finding a local brewery or what they offer? Check out this sensational comprehensive list of US craft brewers with some form of to-go offering that Craftbeer.com put together. They provide all tons of info about each brewery, such as do they offer calling ahead to order, sell gift cards, how to call/email them, directions, website address, and social handles. This will save you SO much time and might help you discover a local brewery you hadn’t heard of before.
How will you take your beer to-go? The most convenient option is beer already canned. You may find 6 packs of 12 oz cans, or 4 packs of 16 oz cans. Cans are great because if you drop one it might explode, but you won’t have to clean up glass AND beer. With canning supplies running low, don’t freak out if the cans aren’t wrapped and pretty like you may expect. A plain silver can doesn’t make the beer taste any different and it still blocks light keeping your beer fresh for the long haul.
There’s also the option of getting something that was poured just for you into a crowler/grunt/growler. You may think I’m speaking gibberish, but I am not.
- Crowler: a crowler is a 32 oz can into which beer is poured directly from a tap on site and the can is sealed for you on the spot. You do sometimes get a sealing machine that isn’t quite up to snuff and your beer seeps out the entire drive home and you immediately have to drink it (aw shucks), but generally speaking this is an airtight, light-protected big ol’ can of beer for you to consume at your pleasure.
- Grunt: a grunt is a 32 oz (usually) glass container into which beer is poured directly from a tap and a cap is screwed on by hand. Same amount of beer as a crowler, but grunts (like growlers) are reusable. Great for the environment and convenient, as you can wash at home and bring back to any brewery for a refill.
- Growler: a growler is like a grunt only with a 64 oz capacity. That’s a lot of beer, but if you want to minimize your trips out of the house right now, this is a great way to stock up and help the environment. Available online or at most breweries/tap rooms, you can get simple glass growlers or fancy metal ones that have their own built in taps. The sky is the limit when it comes to finding the growler that suits your needs. You can take any CLEAN growler with you to get a fill, but do know a brewery or fill station may decline to use your growler if you did not adequately clean it.
Fun Fact: Much of this also goes for cideries! So if you aren’t a big beer drinker, you can also get cider-to-go from many of your local cideries. Locust Cider, which has locations in Washington, Texas, and Colorado, has cans, grunts, and growlers to-go, as well as delivery in Washington. Plus a portion of the can sales goes to the Hydrocephalus Association.
For avid beer drinkers, you’re probably saying to yourself this is all super basic information and you didn’t get much out of this. To that I ask you, did you know what a crowler or a grunt was when you first stumbled down this rabbit hole of craft beer? I certainly didn’t. The first time I saw a crowler I was blown away. It was at a now closed brewery through which we had purchased a Groupon that included something like $25 in merchandise credit. They also included crowlers to-go as merchandise and we took 2 home with us thinking we were kings. That brewery made some pretty epic beer and I was devastated when they announced their closure. So I’m fine sharing some super basic information about beer-to-go if it means it might motivate someone new to try out a local brewery.
So are you jonesing for a cold one yet? I know I am and will probably crack open a crowler to share at dinner tonight. Until next time, my dear nerds, enjoy responsibly and when this is all over let’s go have a beer together.
Cheers,
Head Nerd