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Growlers at LCBO
Growlers at LCBO
Hoping that the mention of Growlers at the LCBO is actually going to mean growler fill stations setup.
I could see this being great for local craft beer if they allow the taps to switch up fairly often. Also gives more flexibility in trying to get in special US and other releases in kegs.
I could see this being great for local craft beer if they allow the taps to switch up fairly often. Also gives more flexibility in trying to get in special US and other releases in kegs.
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- Bar Fly
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- El Pinguino
- Seasoned Drinker
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- Bar Fly
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I've only seen it at Wilson/Dufferin store, it's from Kenora, ON.El Pinguino wrote:Huh, never heard of Sultana Gold....
I http://www.momandhops.ca/growlers-now-lcbo/
I highly doubt that growler fill stations in LCBO outlets are anywhere near being a possibility even in the not-so-near future. My initial thought process makes me want to say that I wouldn't expect it to be implemented until breweries can fill growlers to go from standard draught lines, but given the degree to which the government leans toward helping themselves and the beer store before anybody else I could conceive of growler filling stations showing up in the LCBO or maybe even the beer store boutique locations before brewers are even considered for the ability to sell draught beer to go from their brewpubs without pre-packaging it in sterilized, heat sealed vessels.
If brewers want to play ball with the LCBO and deliver highly regulated, labled, bar-coded, tamper proofed, heat sealed, pre-filled growlers for retail sale to LCBO outlets then I guess they know what they're getting into, but I can't see myself considering a pre-filled growler from the LCBO over a 6-pack unless the price per volume is significantly lower and I expect to drink it all in a relatively short period of time. I doubt many brewers are able or willing to take on that risk/responsibility since at this point it essentially ends up being an oversized and potentially less practical version of the standard bottles they already sell.
If brewers want to play ball with the LCBO and deliver highly regulated, labled, bar-coded, tamper proofed, heat sealed, pre-filled growlers for retail sale to LCBO outlets then I guess they know what they're getting into, but I can't see myself considering a pre-filled growler from the LCBO over a 6-pack unless the price per volume is significantly lower and I expect to drink it all in a relatively short period of time. I doubt many brewers are able or willing to take on that risk/responsibility since at this point it essentially ends up being an oversized and potentially less practical version of the standard bottles they already sell.
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- Beer Superstar
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Don't get your initial point. I got a growler filled from a standard draught line this past weekend at a craft brewery.ChrisK wrote:I highly doubt that growler fill stations in LCBO outlets are anywhere near being a possibility even in the not-so-near future. My initial thought process makes me want to say that I wouldn't expect it to be implemented until breweries can fill growlers to go from standard draught lines, but given the degree to which the government leans toward helping themselves and the beer store before anybody else I could conceive of growler filling stations showing up in the LCBO or maybe even the beer store boutique locations before brewers are even considered for the ability to sell draught beer to go from their brewpubs without pre-packaging it in sterilized, heat sealed vessels.
If brewers want to play ball with the LCBO and deliver highly regulated, labled, bar-coded, tamper proofed, heat sealed, pre-filled growlers for retail sale to LCBO outlets then I guess they know what they're getting into, but I can't see myself considering a pre-filled growler from the LCBO over a 6-pack unless the price per volume is significantly lower and I expect to drink it all in a relatively short period of time. I doubt many brewers are able or willing to take on that risk/responsibility since at this point it essentially ends up being an oversized and potentially less practical version of the standard bottles they already sell.
I'd say for the last year I have only had freshly filled growlers from various craft breweries. Not to mention it doesn't have to be that specific breweries growler. However, pre-filled are available.midlife crisis wrote:Don't get your initial point. I got a growler filled from a standard draught line this past weekend at a craft brewery.ChrisK wrote:I highly doubt that growler fill stations in LCBO outlets are anywhere near being a possibility even in the not-so-near future. My initial thought process makes me want to say that I wouldn't expect it to be implemented until breweries can fill growlers to go from standard draught lines, but given the degree to which the government leans toward helping themselves and the beer store before anybody else I could conceive of growler filling stations showing up in the LCBO or maybe even the beer store boutique locations before brewers are even considered for the ability to sell draught beer to go from their brewpubs without pre-packaging it in sterilized, heat sealed vessels.
If brewers want to play ball with the LCBO and deliver highly regulated, labled, bar-coded, tamper proofed, heat sealed, pre-filled growlers for retail sale to LCBO outlets then I guess they know what they're getting into, but I can't see myself considering a pre-filled growler from the LCBO over a 6-pack unless the price per volume is significantly lower and I expect to drink it all in a relatively short period of time. I doubt many brewers are able or willing to take on that risk/responsibility since at this point it essentially ends up being an oversized and potentially less practical version of the standard bottles they already sell.
"There's always money in the banana stand."
Which one? I didn't think that was legal yet.midlife crisis wrote:Don't get your initial point. I got a growler filled from a standard draught line this past weekend at a craft brewery.ChrisK wrote:I highly doubt that growler fill stations in LCBO outlets are anywhere near being a possibility even in the not-so-near future. My initial thought process makes me want to say that I wouldn't expect it to be implemented until breweries can fill growlers to go from standard draught lines, but given the degree to which the government leans toward helping themselves and the beer store before anybody else I could conceive of growler filling stations showing up in the LCBO or maybe even the beer store boutique locations before brewers are even considered for the ability to sell draught beer to go from their brewpubs without pre-packaging it in sterilized, heat sealed vessels.
If brewers want to play ball with the LCBO and deliver highly regulated, labled, bar-coded, tamper proofed, heat sealed, pre-filled growlers for retail sale to LCBO outlets then I guess they know what they're getting into, but I can't see myself considering a pre-filled growler from the LCBO over a 6-pack unless the price per volume is significantly lower and I expect to drink it all in a relatively short period of time. I doubt many brewers are able or willing to take on that risk/responsibility since at this point it essentially ends up being an oversized and potentially less practical version of the standard bottles they already sell.
To address your confusion, my initial point was predicated on my impression that breweries could only sell pre-filled, branded growlers from their retail stores. This is what Amsterdam does and what Bellwoods did before they scrapped their growler sales due to impracticality. Hence, if breweries can't do it why would one expect LCBO growler fill stations any time soon?
As for pre-filled, heat sealed, branded, bar coded, etc, that was based on what I read in the aforementioned momandhops article about the growlers being sold at the LCBO. Specifically, this bit:
All of these stipulations stike me as something that would discourage many brewers from trying to sell growlers through the LCBO.Regarding the question of freshness, Lake of the Woods owner, Taras Manzie, said they deliver the growlers directly to the LCBO locations frequently. “It’s tamper proofed with a heat seal and has all the bell whistles and trappings required by LCBO – ie language, date stamped, bar code, etc.,” added Manzie.
Hope that clears it up for you. I'm quite interested to hear which brewery filled a growler for you on the spot, though. Was it their own branded growler?
Same thing: which breweries did this? I did not think this was allowed at all in Ontario.Kish84 wrote:I'd say for the last year I have only had freshly filled growlers from various craft breweries. Not to mention it doesn't have to be that specific breweries growler. However, pre-filled are available.
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I've only seen this done at Indie Ale House for members of their Growler Club. Everywhere else I've been to has been pre-filled.Same thing: which breweries did this? I did not think this was allowed at all in Ontario.Kish84 wrote:I'd say for the last year I have only had freshly filled growlers from various craft breweries. Not to mention it doesn't have to be that specific breweries growler. However, pre-filled are available.
Pretty sure the Granite has been doing growler fills from the tap for years.
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- Beer Superstar
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Royal City, Block 3, Granite (if you ask nicely and you want the cask-conditioned stuff) ...ChrisK wrote:Hope that clears it up for you. I'm quite interested to hear which brewery filled a growler for you on the spot, though. Was it their own branded growler?
I am not trying to get anyone in trouble here but I don't think it's illegal, just based on those experiences. Out of courtesy I try to take my Block 3-branded growler to Block 3 but they will fill others, if standard size and clean.
Definitely... that's how most off sales were done when they first opened their retail sales.Cass wrote:Pretty sure the Granite has been doing growler fills from the tap for years.
LNOL growler fills 'priced substantially cheaper', riiiight....
This will never happen at the LCBO, because Ontario is saving us from ourselves (and our savings.)
I do like to support brewery fills though.
This will never happen at the LCBO, because Ontario is saving us from ourselves (and our savings.)
I do like to support brewery fills though.
In Beerum Veritas
Interesting. Every impression I got from Bellwoods' initial foray into growler sales made me think pre-filled growlers were required by law. I wonder what the actual case is now due to this inconsistency. Granted I wouldn't want to get anyone into trouble either.midlife crisis wrote:Royal City, Block 3, Granite (if you ask nicely and you want the cask-conditioned stuff) ...ChrisK wrote:Hope that clears it up for you. I'm quite interested to hear which brewery filled a growler for you on the spot, though. Was it their own branded growler?
I am not trying to get anyone in trouble here but I don't think it's illegal, just based on those experiences. Out of courtesy I try to take my Block 3-branded growler to Block 3 but they will fill others, if standard size and clean.
- Rob Creighton
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Growler sales will evolve with common sense (hard to say in Ontario). Stainless steel growlers are becoming common. The US outdoor/creative set use them and there are now CO2 dispensing lids which will become better over time as well.
The issue though is brewers that won't fill other growlers. Once again...common sense...if you inspect it and rinse it...fill It!
Why does Ontario always have to be behind with weird irrational fears and a lack of common sense? Consumers don't want to own dozens of glass bottles (except the hoarding/collecting types). We tend to pick our favourite style and stick with it. I have seen growler sales quadruple by taking other growlers. Time to get with it.
The issue though is brewers that won't fill other growlers. Once again...common sense...if you inspect it and rinse it...fill It!
Why does Ontario always have to be behind with weird irrational fears and a lack of common sense? Consumers don't want to own dozens of glass bottles (except the hoarding/collecting types). We tend to pick our favourite style and stick with it. I have seen growler sales quadruple by taking other growlers. Time to get with it.