I ran quite a few batches of U-Brew beer through them, but I think the last time I bottled was towards the end of 2014. It no longer makes sense to organize the brewing of 6 gallon batches now that we are not here year 'round. Even when a U-Brew shop handles all the work, it still requires a few weeks or more before bottling can take place. Also, unopened ones really can't keep over the winter, so guessing when batches needed to be ordered and the logistics became a bit of a pain. Oh, and most importantly, my favourite U-Brew place went out of business.
So lately, I have been buying (gasp) cans from the liquor store. Drinking from 355 ml cans seems unnecessarily troublesome with the hassle of an expensive BC deposit fee. This is 2016 and I live in premier craft-beer territory. I had to ask myself why I was letting such great local beers end up in a can, anyway.
To fix the situation, I picked up my first growler, most probably of a substantial, future collection. I got the two-quart sized container at the Central City Brewery, just across the river. I filled it with their Red Racer Super Stellar IPA. I easily knew what was on tap by checking online. When it's empty, I'll wash it and bring it back for many more uses. This seems much more environmentally friendly than a 6-pack!
I may re-fill most often at Steel & Oak Brewing Co. as it's just down past the Quay. 'The Royal City' is the nickname for New Westminster, so I probably should be drinking an ale by that name. This is a rather exciting time of year as new, seasonal beers will be coming on tap soon. Out and good riddance to session beers and radlers. It is getting to be the time of year to 'stout out loud'.
Now, I have a new problem though. My half-gallon growler holds just 5.3 standard-sized beers.