Remember when your options for growlers consisted of brown glass or clear glass? Taking good care of your beer is easier than ever with these new-school stainless-steel growlers (plus one mini-keg for you prolific types). The double-wall insulation and a plethora of options for pressurizing mean your beer will stay fresher longer. We filled each of these with fresh 1020 Pale Ale straight from the Fort Collins Brewery (at a measured 38°F/3°C), then let them sit unrefrigerated for 24 hours to test their ability to maintain temperature and seal. A blind panel tasted samples from each one the following day. Here are their thoughts.
Hydroflask
64 oz. » $54.99
40 oz. » $36.99
32 oz. » $33.99
Temp: 52°F/11°C
Carb: Moderate
Notes: The textured coating on the body looks great, the vessel is an attractive shape, and the lid is easy to grip. On the down side, we noticed liquid pooling at the base of the growler and telltale drip marks down the side when we arrived at the office the following morning. This appears to be a result of leakage at the cap. Still, that leakage did not significantly impact taste, as the beer was sufficiently carbed and a reasonable temperature.