What Is The Difference Between Growlers, Bullets & Bombers Anyways?

For someone new to craft beer it can be overwhelming walking into a bar and see unfamiliar terms such as “Free Growler With Purchase of Fill” or “Special on Bullet Fills”.  Do I get a free puppy? Am I going to get shot? Let’s start with some of the basics:

Growler (noun) : a pitcher, pail, or other container brought by a customer for beer.

A growler is essentially a big jug glassware that can be filled by both brewpubs and breweries (if they offer that service). A growler of beer is ½ of a gallon, or 64 ounces total. This gets you roughly 4 pints. Some places have the glassware available for purchase or will allow you to bring your own. A plain growler is a solid investment for any craft beer lover. I found my “Best Thing Since Beer In A Can” glassware at Marshalls for $5.99.

Howler/Bullet: Now take that growler volume and cut it in half again. A Howler is ½ of a growler, or 32 ounces. I’ve heard the following terms used to describe this volume: Howler, Bullet, Growlette, Baby Growler, 32 oz Growler, and ½ Growler. This gets you about 2 full pints. It’s harder to find a plain glassware Howler, but most breweries have them available for purchase for real cheap. I know for example that Tow Yard Brewing has $5 Bullet AND Fill Wednesdays. Now days I tend to pick the Howler over the Growler since my eyes are usually bigger than my beer belly. Nothing worst than having to dump a growler because you weren’t able to finish it in a reasonable time frame. Howlers, though, are easily drinkable for 1 person.

Bomber: Ever see those huge beer bottles at the liquor store? That’s a bomber, 22 ounces of bottled greatness.

Pros of Growlers & Howlers

• – You get a fresh pour right from the draft source
  – Easy to transport
  – More economical (it’s usually cheaper to get a growler fill to take home than drink pints on – pints at the brewery)

Cons of Growlers & Howlers

• -Shorter shelf life (best drank within the week of getting it)
  -May NOT be economical or even available for Specialty Beers on tap

I’m by no means an expert with this trade, but I hope this was able to clarify some of the concepts for other newbies out there. Be sure to check out the “Today On Tap” page for local specials on growler and howler fills as well as pint specials.

Stay Thirsty My Friends,

Traxler