Growlerville: Thirst Quenching on the Trail

Being able to drink fresh, draft beer, many miles from any brewery or bar, is made possible by growlers. In case you’re not yet in the know, growlers are airtight containers made to transport beer. Traditional growlers are made of glass or ceramic, while modern examples are made with stainless steel. Growlers have been around since the late 1800s and have experienced a renaissance of sorts thanks to the surge in popularity of microbreweries and home-brew devotees.

Growlers allow you to transport your favorite beer, direct from the tap of your local brewery or even your very own homebrew—bottled or canned beer just can’t match that fresh draft taste. They also allow you to sample new flavors without committing to buying an entire keg. Stainless-steel growlers are perfect for those of us who travel into unpaved areas due to their toughness—they won’t break like glass, and their vacuum-insulating properties can keep your beer much colder for longer. As the evening turns to night, a few sips of stronger spirits are in order. A good flask is a natural partner for your growler, and of course, you have one filled and ready for your nightcap. Whether you enjoy a good rye or perhaps a blend, a flask makes reaching for your favorite drink more convenient—and with more class and ease than a paper-bag-wrapped bottle. Let’s take a look at the latest in growlers, vacuum bottles that can be used as growlers and flasks that are perfect thirst-aids around the campfire.

[divider]GROWLERS[/divider]

CamelBak Chute Vacuum-Insulated Bottle

When your thirst builds up, guarantee a smooth pour, even in the backcountry, with Camelbak’s Chute. This vacuum-insulated bottle keeps liquids cold for 48 hours and hot for six. Its double-walled steel construction keeps condensation from collecting on the sides, and its cap snaps into the handle so it stays out of the way when you pour. The Chute is dishwasher safe, leak-proof, and 100-percent BPA free.

Capacity: 40 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 3.50 x 11 inches

Weight: 1 pound

Colors: 5 colors available (Evergreen shown)

MSRP: $38

DrinkTanks Insulated Growler

This DrinkTanks Insulated Growler is made from 18/8 stainless steel and has double-wall vacuum insulation, which is good for a factory-rated 24 hours of cold retention, and 12 hours of hot. Its BPA-free cap is secured by a sturdy leak-proof dual-bail cap system. It has a convenient carry and pour handle, is dishwasher safe and holds up to 60 PSI.

Capacity: 64 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 14 inches

Weight: 3 pounds

Colors: 16 colors available (Gloss Orange shown)

MSRP: $69-74, depending on color

evrgrn Pour Boy Growler

Popular outdoor retailer, REI, launched the evrgrn brand last year in an effort to promote socializing outdoors in style. Its Pour Boy Growler is a good first step towards helping us do just that. The BPA-free, food-grade 18/8 stainless bottle doesn’t leech or retain flavors, making it perfect for transporting your favorite brew of choice. It’s rated to keep in the cold for 24 hours and has a locking-valve cap.

Capacity: 64 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 5 x 5.25 x 11.25 inches

Weight: 2 pounds, 0.6 ounces

Colors: 2 colors available (Atlantic Deep shown)

MSRP: $50

Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth

With a factory-rated cold retention of 24 hours and 6 hours of hot, the Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth is great for long days as well as overnight trips. It is constructed of 18/8-grade stainless steel and is completely free of BPA and Phthalate. Its wide-mouth opening is easy to fill and pour from, and the powder-coat-finish versions are sweat-free, which helps keep the growler from picking up grains of sand and dirt.

Capacity: 64 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 4.7 x 10.1 inches

Weight: 1 pound, 1.6 ounces

Colors: 5 colors available (Cobalt shown)

MSRP: $60

Klean Kanteen Growler

Bring this Klean Kanteen to your local taproom: Just fill it, and you’re ready to go. This growler is made of stainless steel and is designed and built to last. Trust them for the safe transport of not only beer, but also any beverage including juice, water, wine or cold-brew coffee. Its Swing Lok Cap is removable, all stainless steel, and threadless for an all-steel interior, tight seal and leak resistance.

Capacity: 40 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 3.6 x 10.1 inches

Weight: 10.9 ounces

Colors: 2 colors available (Dark Amber shown)

MSRP: $45

Smoky Mountains Growlers Growlin’ Guzzler

The Growlin’ Guzzler is designed to keep your beer or other drink of choice fresh and effervescent during the journey, no matter how perilous it may be. Made of 18/8 stainless steel to help protect taste and temperature, its double-wall insulation helps it stay cold up to an incredible factory-rated three days, and hot for up to 24 hours. For those who are around a lot of water, this puppy floats too.

Capacity: 64 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 4.88 x 10.38 inches

Weight: 1 pound, 14 ounces

Colors: 3 colors available (Orange shown)

MSRP: $60

Stanley Classic Vacuum Growler

The iconic look of a Stanley bottle certainly is timeless, isn’t it? Chances are your granddaddy might have had something like this, but don’t be fooled—it may look classic, but the technology behind it is decidedly modern. This wide-mouth vacuum growler transports your favorite brew to the furthest of locales while ensuring that you hear that carbonation ‘pop’ when you open this bad boy up.

Capacity: 64 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.9 x 11.6 inches

Weight: 2 pounds, 3 ounces

Colors: 3 colors available (Hammertone Green shown)

MSRP: $50

YETI Rambler 64

The largest in YETI’s Rambler series of vacuum bottles, the 64-ounce Rambler features double-wall vacuum construction to keep drinks cold or hot for hours on end. It’s the perfect vessel to bring your favorite ale to remote campsites with. This BPA-free bottle features YETI’s “Over-the-Nose” design for ease of filling, drinking and cleaning. It’s made of 18/8 stainless steel, which makes it rust- and puncture-resistant.

Capacity: 64 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 4.75 x 11.5 inches

Weight: 2 pounds 1 ounce

Color: Stainless steel

MSRP: $70

[divider]FLASKS[/divider]

Coleman Tailgater Flask and Funnel

If you really want to class it up, then you’ll want to take a look at this Coleman number. This rust-resistant, stainless-steel flask is wrapped in genuine, deep-brown, split-grain leather with contrast stitching, and it has a hinged, screw-top cap to prevent cap loss. The leather casing provides insulation for your hands, and provides a comfortable and secure place to grip. An included funnel is used to easily fill the flask. That’s a nice touch.

Capacity: 8 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 3.88 x 5.50 inches

Weight: 6 ounces

Color: Polish & Brown leather

MSRP: $15

evrgrn Last Call Flask

Made of stainless steel, this smooth-edged, rounded-corner flask features clean lines and boasts a modern, yet simple look. It can hold up to eight ounces of liquid courage in its belly, is BPA-free and has a loop that keeps its cap attached. Its rounded edges help it glide in and out of pockets effortlessly.

Capacity: 8 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 5.75 x 3.25 x 1 inches

Weight: 6 ounces

Colors: 3 colors available (Stainless Steel shown)

MSRP: $25

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Hip Flask

Crafted from what looks like a single block of 18/8 stainless steel, the Glacier promises to provide unrivaled purity and durability. Its smooth, rounded edges won’t snag on clothing and is pleasant to hold. Its body narrows towards the bottom and its wide mouth makes for easy filling and pouring. A polyethylene leash keeps the cap handy, and an included cinchable microfiber storage bag doubles as a cleaning cloth.

Capacity: 6 ounces

Dimensions: 4 x 1.2 x 4.8 inches

Weight: 7.7 ounces

Color: Stainless Steel

MSRP: $30

Nalgene Flask

You may know the brand Nalgene from their ubiquitous water bottles. You see them just about everywhere—the gym, at work and on hiking trails. What you might not have realized is that they also make flasks. The Flask holds up to 12 fluid ounces, making it the largest capacity flask in this guide. It is made of BPA-, BPS- and Phthalate-free plastic, which allows it to be light in weight. It has a removable protective sleeve, shown in blue, available in red, as well.

Capacity: 12 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 4.0 x 1.5 x 8.0 inches

Weight: 4.3 ounces

Colors: 2 colors available (Blue shown)

MSRP: $9

Stanley Classic Flask

If you’re camping, you’ve certainly got something to celebrate. Do it in style with a retro Stanley flask, which has a slim profile, wide mouth and rugged exterior. Its 18/8 stainless steel won’t rust and is naturally BPA-free. It features a wide-mouth opening for easy filling and pouring. Its leak-proof cap has an integrated lanyard so you never have to search for it.

Capacity: 8 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 1.5 x 3 x 7.5 inches

Weight: 4.9 ounces

Colors: 4 colors available (Hammertone Crimson shown)

MSRP: $25

Stanley Adventure Stainless Steel Flask

If space is a consideration, the Stanley pocket-sized Adventure Stainless Steel Flask is right up your alley. This is, by far, the smallest container in this guide—but don’t let its looks fool you. It holds five ounces of the good stuff, which equates to be a bit over four full shot glasses. It has a retro-modern look and feel with rounded corners and an exposed stainless bottom. Even with an updated look, we dig how it still comes in Stanley’s classic Hammertone colors.

Capacity: 5 fluid ounces

Dimensions: 1.4 x 2.4 x 5.6 inches

Weight: 3.5 ounces

Colors: 5 colors available (Hammertone Ice shown)

MSRP: $18

Disclaimer: Always drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the winter 2016 print issue of Tread Magazine.