Gone Growler?

  When I first truly discovered craft beer, I was a major growler enthusiast. 2 litres of delicious beer in a big jug all for me? Sold! As a still confirmed mass consumer of beer, this was little trouble for me to get through in a single sitting and at the cusp of the revolution and explosion of new breweries, it was often the only choice to be able to bring home some of the more exciting brews from newcomers. Canning and bottling adds costs to any beer and many start ups tended to lean hard into growlers or howlers (1L) as a cheaper alternative to having to buy or rent the equipment or expertise of others. The deposit often a forgotten part of your growler purchase, a one time fee that usually set you back $5 but then allowed you to get a fill at the price posted afterward, while completely forgetting that you could return said vessel and get your deposit back. But in the beginning, it was all so glorious we just returned to have our brown bottles filled every time and off we would go in happy gratitude for such luck as we had.

  Over time, the availability of cans and bottles has increased at almost every stop. The rare or small one off batches may still be growler only, but for the most part, the growing public attention paid to craft beer seems to be shying away from such large volume purchases that must be consumed in a relatively short time.  My own personal collection of 24 Growlers and 20 Howlers is a testament to those early days and the fact that only a few of them have been purchased in the last year or so speaks to a changing landscape of both drinker and producer. There are people who still get their fills on the regular but I feel, anecdotely of course, that the days are numbered for these behemoth carriers of liquid dreams in terms of their percentage of purchases. They will never go away completely, but their popularity has certainly peaked as the public demands more options and leans hard into cans as the perfect delivery of both freshness and preservation for later consumption.

from 2016's Polkapolooza

How I used to feel about my growlers

 
  I know some will say the death knell for the 2 litre is premature and with places like Barncat going strong with little but growlers for their IPAs and selling out to boot, there will always be a market for them. But I feel the tide has turned as more people enjoy the idea of mixing a six pack with a few options, not just 4 pints of one thing. A recent Twitter poll showcases just this as over 85 % of people responded to my question about growler usage with either Never or only for Special releases. The world is changing all around us and craft beer is going right along with it.
The reason so many get into craft beer is the options available, not the same old thing glass after glass. The sharing of a growler still makes a strong case for it's continued use, but even that seems to be fading as it's easier to pick up an extra can of something special to share with a  pal, easier still if it is in the 355ml option, a growing segment of beer can choice. 
  But I will say that something about writing about this brings me joy as I reminisce about the heady days when I first started exploring beer in a new and exciting way and my growler felt like I belonged to a cool and exclusive club. I'll hang onto my beauties for now, for the times I get nostalgic and pick up a jug of Ransack or Headstock, maybe a trip to Barncat or some other old friend will bring me home with a night's worth of memories in one long pour.

Cheers!
Polk

Shooting Videos with the Drunk Polkaroo

I've often said I have a face made for radio. The older I get, there are fewer people that get the joke. "What's radio?" they say, slowly back away from my ancient technology. But as I continue my Year of Beer, I want to try new ideas and expressions, so it with that in mind I am starting to make short beer review videos on the YouTubes. I know there is no "the" at the beginning or an "s" at the end, but that's how we tell us old timers apart from the rest of you.

When posting a photo and write up on Instagram or the blog, I have the ability to rewrite and polish my work. Sometimes I do edits later on if I notice something is just not working or spelled wrong. With video, that is a little harder. You can only open a beer one time and in the case of many of my brews, I only have one of them to drink anyway. But I like the rawness that video provides. It pushes me to focus on every aspect of what I do with the beer, from the opening of the bottle to the last drop in the glass. Yes. A glass. Every time. Come on guys, it's not hard, but please stop drinking out of the bottle. You are missing so much. I wrote about it twice, here and here.  Check them out. They both will explain why I always pour my beer into a glass. That subject is becoming like the 1993 Leafs for me, I just can't give it up.

Back to videos. I started with a few simple pour videos, using an old digital camera until I realised my phone has better resolution. I don't have a stand for it yet, so I made my own out of some scrap wood I had lying around in the basement.

A little crude, but it gets the job done.

I think it is time to step it up in the camera department and will venture forth to find an affordable but good webcam. That will make editing a little easier and probably improve the quality.

I use my Wall of Beer as the backdrop, but will eventually be filming all of my reviews and video blogs at my bar, which after 10 years I am actually going to build. For my "research". Man, beer is pretty awesome when it motivates you to get projects done. Just make sure you drink after you build or it might be a little lopsided.

That's a whole lot of fun on one wall.

I really want to capture all the sights and sounds of opening, pouring and tasting a beer, so playing with some different formats and techniques will be something we can do together. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, here, and follow along as I talk about beer and no doubt so much more. I can only promise that I will keep searching for the Perfect Beer and with that a better life. I am not going to lie, watching a video of myself is a little odd, but I do love all my Fat Guy shirts and am glad they are finally getting the exposure they deserve.

Happy Monday to you all and I'll see you later on the Internets.

(Again, I know there is no "s". Just testing.)





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Thanks again for the support and Cheers!



Cameron's Brewing - A Quick Visit and an Amazing Deal

Mrs. Polkaroo and I had an appointment in Burlington on Thursday and I figured since we were only 15 minutes away, why not drop in to Cameron's Brewing Company and check it out. They only do tours on Saturday, so we were out of luck for that, but I had a beer to drop off for a friend from Instagram and he had one for me, so at least there was some fun to be had.  When we got there, I scoped out all they had in their showroom at the front while I waited for the ladies in front of us to finish their purchases. I had already decided to get a Growler ($6), which is a refillable 64 ounce glass container with the sweet Cameron's logo on it, and have it filled with their Dark 266 lager.

So damn good.

When I saw the deal they had, I got two (the 266 and a Tripel). For $55, you get 6 growler fills. That is a savings of over $25 and who doesn't like a bargain when it comes to beer.  The next time you come in for a fill, just present your card and they'll use the hole punch to mark it off and give you a refill. This is ideal for me, since Kat works nearby and can grab one for me whenever I need it, without having to pay for anything else. Just remember that this is fresh beer and you need to consume it within 4 or 5 days unopened and within 24 hours once you crack it open. Sharing is caring!

Get one today! Great deal.

I also bought a Cameron's pint glass with a logo for $5 and should have bought all of the styles. I am such a sucker for different shapes and sizes in my beer glasses. So that is something I will be getting next time I am in. Plus, they will look great on the shelves.

Great logo.

The service was friendly and quick. Very helpful people who clearly love what they do. This is going to be a recurring theme I imagine. It seems that this industry attracts a certain type of personality and it shows in their dedication to helping people understand their products. Being passionate about Craft Beer has changed my life and as I go forth on my journey around the province and the Year of Beer, I am so happy to meet other people who share my love of a well made brew.
As for the beer, The Dark 266 lager had a roasted malt flavour that combined chocolate and coffee notes with a crisp and refreshing texture. Not heavy and low in ABV (4.5%) this beer is an easy drinking, but flavourful, alternative to your regular choices. I finished my first growler last night and will be getting a refill soon. The Tripel (7.5%) will have to wait until the weekend.
I will find a way to get back for the tour as well. I work most Saturdays, but when I do get one off, my travels will take me where the beer is made. I have only been on one brewery tour (Steamwhistle) and as it was back in my binge drinking days, I don't remember much about it. This time, I plan on being present and learning all I can about the process of making great beer.
I endeavour to drink local and hope to make Cameron's a regular in my fridge. You should too. They have a good selection of different styles and seasonal offerings that will delight and challenge you. Here is a link to their website, check them out. The next time you are driving around and see a sign for a local brewery, do yourself a favour and stop in for a taste. It might change your opinion and as in my case, save your life.
Cheers!