Growlers - the best way to drink beer at home

If you have been following my blog lately you will have noticed a lot of growlers purchased and reviewed. Most growlers are sold directly from the brewery at times convenient for the brewers. This is beer that comes straight from the kegs into a 64 ounce glass container, capped and sent home with you and in my opinion the very best way to enjoy craft beer at your home, family gathering or other event. I have growlers from most of the Maine breweries that offer them and refill them as often as possible. They store well in the refrigerator and will last 7-10 days if unopened (in theory they could last a lot longer but somehow they never do in my fridge as they opened and consumed shortly after purchase). Once opened you have a couple of days to finish. 64 ounces is 4 pints of beer so for me 2 pints a night for 2 nights and it is gone. Below is a recap and photos of growlers from several Maine breweries.

Oxbow Brewing Company - Newcastle Maine

Oxbow is one of my favorite breweries and if you want to enjoy their beer at home you have to visit their brewery between 2:00 and 6:00 on a Friday afternoon / evening. This is the only time the brewery is open for growler fills. I do not recall the cost for growlers but I believe it is $15 for a new growler and $12 for a refill. Whatever the cost is this is money well spent as every beer from Oxbow is top notch and unlike anything else you will get in Maine. They also distribute kegs to bars and restaurants in Maine and Washington DC so keep an eye out for their clear tap handles and if Oxbow is on tap give it a try. 

Tim & Geoff are great and you will enjoy the time you spend at Oxbow checking out the artwork and brewery. I believe sales are cash only so make sure you plan ahead.

Rising Tide Brewing Company - Portland Maine

Rising Tide only recently started selling growlers after moving their brewery to Fox Street in Portland. They have installed a tasting room and will be filling growlers from 4-7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays / 12-3 on Fridays and Saturdays with tours at 1:00 on most Fridays and Saturdays. Nathan and Heather have an excellent brewery and are great people, again you will enjoy your time at the brewery and certainly will enjoy the beer.

Cost was around $17 for the first full growler and I believe it was $11 for refills. Cash is preferred however they will run a credit or debit card if needed. I will be down there on Tuesday and will update this post with the accurate cost then. 

Read more after the break

245. Atlantic Brewing New Guy IPA

Was excited to find this one at Tully's in Wells as I drink Maine beer whenever I can and also love a good IPA. This is my fourth beer from Atlantic Brewing Company and probably my favorite so far (although I do have to try the Summer Ale again as I think I had an old bottle the first time). The beer is generic in color, head and minimal lacing on the glass. Aroma is also fairly standard of an IPA with some citrus notes.

Taste is smooth and well balanced with a fair amount of citrus hops that are nicely balanced by the sweet malts. Overall this is a solid beer but nothing makes it stand out among the many other IPAs on the market. If you like supporting local beer and enjoy a decent IPA certainly add this one to your Summer drinking list. 
Pros: Easy to drink and local

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: ??% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  

Brewers Website: Atlantic Brewing

Brewers Description: Not currently listed on website

69. Atlantic Brewing Coal Porter

This is my third beer from Atlantic Brewing and the first that I would recommend. The other 2 are featured on my list of worst reviews but this is a quality porter. Complex flavor with some chocolate, coffee and lots of malt. Pours a great dark mahogany color with a slight head that stays with the beer and leaves a great lacing on the glass. Had this after dinner and was a great way to finish the evening. 

Pros: Color, complex flavors

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 6.5% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Atlantic Brewing

Brewers Description: A superb porter, hearty & dark. This one is a staff favorite, made with pale, crystal, Munich, chocolate, and black malts. The darker malts give Coal its color and rich flavor. We use Target and Willamette hops to yield a very subtle hop flavor in this porter. 

We cellar this beer for close to six months before releasing it on the thirsty throngs of fans. 

65. Atlantic Brewing Maine Logger Lager

Well it took me 65 beers before I came across one that I could not finish. I have nothing good to say about this beer. Had about 1/3 of the beer and the rest went down the drain. So far Atlantic Brewing Company is 0-2 with me. I am still have hope for the Bar Harbor Summer Ale but this one I will not give another shot and it has taken the bottom spot on my list of least favorite beer. 

Pros: NONE

Cons:  Skunky aroma, bad taste and aftertaste

Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 


Brewers Website: Atlantic Brewing

Brewers Description: Not currently listed on Atlantic Brewing site.

62. Atlantic Brewing Bar Harbor Summer Ale

I should have known better when I saw a Summer Ale still in the store in mid-October but the Best By date was December of 2011 so I thought it might be OK. The beer poured with no head, minimal carbonation, a skunky smell and tasted out of date. I will give this another try next Summer in hopes that it truly was a bad bottle or beyond its freshness date. Lesson learned to drink out of season beer. 

Pros:  

Cons: Flat, skunky smell, 

Alcohol Content: ?? ABV

Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??

My Rating:  (Gave it 2 stars as I hope it truly is not this bad and will give it another shot next Summer)

Brewers Website: Atlantic Brewing Company

Brewers Description: Now in six pack! This ale is light and crisp, yet retains the body and character of a micro brew.