Tennessee Beer Growlers: Availability And Purchase Options

Tennessee has a rich musical heritage and was the first state to pass a Prohibition law almost 200 years ago. While the state is best known for its iconic Jack Daniel's, it is also making a name for itself in the beer industry. Beer lovers in Tennessee can typically buy alcohol between 8 a.m. and 3 a.m. the following day, depending on the establishment. Beer can be purchased in growlers from various sources, including breweries, retail stores, bars, restaurants, and specialty growler-filling stations. Growlers are airtight jugs used for transporting beer, and they come in three types: stainless steel, glass, and ceramic.

Where to buy beer growlers in Tennessee

Beer growlers can be purchased from various places in Tennessee, including breweries, retail stores, bars, restaurants, and even specialty growler-filling stations in certain areas.

Breweries and Taprooms

Much like package and liquor stores, breweries and taprooms are permitted to sell beer growlers, along with cans, bottles, and kegs of beer. They can sell these from 8 am to 3 am, Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 3 am on Sundays. However, many breweries and taprooms close before midnight, so it's worth checking their hours before planning a visit.

Package and Liquor Stores

Package and liquor stores are allowed to sell beer growlers, along with cans, bottles, and kegs of beer. Their hours are typically 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants in Tennessee are legally allowed to sell beer growlers, along with cans and bottles. They can sell beer from 8 am to 3 am, Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 3 am on Sundays.

Retail Stores

Beer growlers can also be purchased from retail stores, including grocery and convenience stores. Their hours vary but typically fall between 8 am and 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays.

Gas Stations

Gas stations with attached, properly licensed convenience stores usually sell beer. However, their hours are more restricted, typically selling beer from 8 am to 11 pm, seven days a week.

Online Delivery

It is also possible to get beer delivered in Tennessee, but this must be done to a physical address, during approved hours, and with ID verification for recipients who look under 50 years old.

Growler filling stations in Tennessee

If you're looking to fill up a growler in Tennessee, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the top spots to get your growler filled:

Nashville

• The Filling Station: With two locations in Nashville, The Filling Station is a dedicated growler filling spot with 24 taps of local and regional beers, as well as popular cans and bottles. One location is in the same building as the Fat Bottom Brewery, and the other is in East Nashville.
• The Beer Pale: This casual beer and sandwich joint offers a rotating list of mostly Tennessee beers on 24 taps, as well as growlers to go.
• Tailgate Brewery: West Nashville's Tailgate Brewery offers 30 taps, including their own brews and rotating locals. They also sell a double-walled insulated steel growler.
• The Bottle Shop at McEwen: This shop offers a solid array of domestic and international beers, including a great high-gravity selection and hard-to-find options. They have eight taps that rotate regularly for growler fill-ups.
• Cool Springs Wine and Spirits: This shop has a curated wall of local and national craft beers, with 32 taps for growler filling.
• Craft Brewed: What started as a growler fill and tasting bar has now become a popular spot on the South Nashville beer scene, thanks to its knowledgeable staff and wide selection. They have a tap station where you can get a taste, a pint, or a full growler fill.
• Hopscrafts: Boasting one of the city's most extensive regional beer lists on tap, all 36 beers are available to go in growlers or by the pint.
• The Hop Stop: In addition to 36 taps featuring local and European beers, The Hop Stop also has a dartboard, jukebox, and trivia night.
• Midtown Wine & Spirits: This spot offers high-gravity beers and collectible craft brews, with eight taps offering beer to go in growlers.
• The Picnic Tap: This beer garden located inside the Market House at the Nashville Farmers' Market offers 16 taps that concentrate on Middle Tennessee breweries, with the occasional outside brand.
• Red Dog Wine & Spirits: With 20 taps of local and regional beers, Red Dog offers growlers in various sizes, including glass, stainless steel, and reusable Eco-Growlers. You can also bring your own clear growler for a refill.
• Frugal MacDoogal
• Hops + Crafts
• M.E. Wine and Liquors
• Main Street Liquor
• Midtown Wine & Spirits
• Nashville Smoke and Ale
• Whole Foods

Outside Nashville

While most of the dedicated growler filling stations are located in Nashville, there are also grocery stores, liquor stores, and breweries across Tennessee that offer growler fills. Be sure to call ahead to confirm their availability, as selections and offerings may vary.

Beer growler materials

Beer growlers are containers used for transporting beer, typically from a brewery to a person's home. They are usually made from glass, ceramic or stainless steel, and are designed to be airtight, allowing beer to be transported without a loss of quality.

Glass growlers are the most popular type and are available in clear or amber hues. They typically have a handle and a screw-on or hinged cap, and can maintain freshness for a week or more. However, glass growlers are fragile and can crack, chip or shatter if handled carelessly.

Stainless steel growlers are durable, easy to carry, and effective at keeping beer cold for longer. However, they do not have the benefit of being transparent like glass growlers, so it is harder to see how much beer is left in the container.

Ceramic growlers are aesthetically pleasing but tend to be heavy and difficult to clean. They are also susceptible to chipping or breaking if handled roughly.

Growlers typically hold 64 ounces (1,892.7 millilitres) of beer, but they can also be found in 32-ounce ("howler"), 128-ounce, one-litre, and two-litre sizes.

Beer growler history

Beer growlers have a long history that dates back to the late 19th century. At that time, people would carry fresh beer from the local pub to their homes using small galvanized pails, pitchers, glass jars, or other vessels. The most common container was a 2-quart galvanized or enameled pail, which was known as a "growler". The term "growler" is said to originate from the rumbling or growling sound made by the carbon dioxide escaping through the lid as the beer sloshed around inside the pail. However, some sources suggest it was named after the constant conflict between bartenders and customers, with bartenders filling a two-quart pail with a pint of beer, and customers wanting their pails filled to the top.

Prior to World War II, children would bring covered buckets of draft beer from pubs or breweries to workers or their parents at dinnertime, a practice called "rushing the growler". Adults who did this were known as "Bucket Boys" or "Kesseljunges", a German term used in Milwaukee. The "Bucket Trade" was often targeted by the anti-alcohol "Temperance" movement, which led to the 18th Amendment and the complete prohibition of alcohol. Many laws were passed to outlaw the use of growlers.

By the 1950s, the tin pail had been replaced by waxed cardboard containers with lids, resembling a cross between a milk jug and a takeout Chinese soup container. However, by the 1960s, most bars had switched to plastic containers and were allowed to sell pre-packaged beer after hours, causing the concept of the growler to fade away.

In 1989, Charlie Otto, owner of Wyoming's first draft-only microbrewery, Otto Brothers Brewery, wanted to offer draft beer to-go but faced the challenge of not having bottles. Fortunately, his father suggested using growlers, which were common in his younger days. Charlie updated the packaging by silk-screening his logo onto half-gallon glass jugs, thus reintroducing the modern-day growler.

Today, growlers are commonly sold at breweries and brewpubs as a way to sell takeout craft beer. They are typically made of glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, with screw-on or hinged porcelain gasket caps. The two most popular colours for growlers are amber and clear, with glass handles being the most common type. Growlers can be refilled for a fee, and their initial purchase may include a significant deposit.

Beer growler care and maintenance

Beer growlers are a great way to enjoy your favourite beer at home or on the go. To ensure the best quality beer, it is important to care for and maintain your growler. Here are some tips for beer growler care and maintenance:

Cleaning

It is important to clean your growler after each use. Here are some steps to clean your growler:

• Store it cold: After finishing your beer, store the growler in a cool place or the fridge until you have time to clean it. This helps limit bacteria growth.
• Rinse with hot water: Use hot tap water to rinse, swirl and rinse your growler at least three times to remove any residue.
• Air dry: Allow your growler to air dry completely upside down. A damp growler can harbour bacteria.
• Leave the cap off: After cleaning, do not cap the growler as this can cause stagnant air and promote bacteria growth.
• Use the right detergent: Avoid fat- or oil-based detergents. Use the correct amount of detergent to ensure thorough cleaning and to avoid residual chemical aromas.
• Sanitise: After cleaning, sanitise your growler with a suitable product such as trichloromelamine, quaternary or iodophor-based products.
• Pre-rinse: Before filling, pre-rinse your growler with cold water. Do not fill a frozen growler.

Storage

• Store with the lid unsealed: After cleaning and sanitising, store your growler with the lid unsealed to allow air circulation and prevent stagnant air.
• Keep it cold and dark: Store your filled growler in a cold and dark place. An increase in temperature can increase pressure and cause the growler to burst, and light can damage the beer.
• Do not overfill: Do not fill your growler to the brim. Leave some headspace (about 5%) to avoid over-pressurisation.
• Check for damage: Do not fill glass or ceramic growlers with cracks, chips or engravings as these can reduce the pressure strength of the container.
• Do not allow to warm or freeze: Do not leave your filled growler in a hot place or car, or allow it to freeze as this can cause the growler to shatter or explode.

Filling

• Use the correct container: Ensure your growler is specifically designed for packaged carbonated beverages. The container must be able to withstand the pressure exerted by carbonated beer.
• Use the correct filling method: Some filling methods, such as counter-pressure filling, can reduce oxygen contact and increase shelf life.
• Fill to the correct level: Do not overfill or underfill your growler. Follow the manufacturer's fill level specifications.
• Use the correct lid: For twist-off lids, use plastic rather than metal, as plastic may vent more readily if over-pressurisation occurs.

By following these care and maintenance tips, you can ensure that your beer growler is clean, safe and filled with high-quality beer.

Frequently asked questions