Keep your beer fresh and cool with the Hydro Flask Growler

By Ann Binlot Published August 1, 2016

hydro flask growler — Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it’s hot out and you’re on the go, a growler can be your best friend. Now we bet that a lot of you are asking, “What is a growler?” For starters, a growler is simply a vessel that was used to transport beer freshly poured from the tap at your local pub back to the comfort of your own home. The growler got its name from the loud noise it made from the CO2 as soon as the lid was taken off. They were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but slowly died out as sales of prepackaged beer became more commonplace.

Related: Guide to Growlers

Recommended Videos

It may be around a century since growlers were first popular, but now, thanks to Hydro Flask, there’s a new growler on the market, perfect for bringing beer around with you. Hydro Flask’s newest growler is vacuum insulated, and features two full interior threads for a leak-proof seal that keeps the beer’s carbonation going for longer periods of time, as well as honeycomb insulation, which is located inside the cap for additional temperature control. It also comes with an easy-carry handle that allows you to hold and pour the growler with ease, an 11 mm lip, which saves your every little drop of beer by reducing the amount of dripping, and it comes in a 32-ounce or 64-ounce size and five different colors. It also has double wall insulation, is made from pro-grade stainless steel and is BPA free.

This summer — or all year round — use the Hydro Flask Growler to carry tap-fresh craft beer from your local brewery or Whole Foods and straight to your own home, where you can enjoy iced-cold beer right from the tap.

For more information, visit hydroflask.com.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…

Food & Drink

Miller Lite’s simple hack for a cold beer all summer long is genius (and keeps selling out)

Get ready to kick yourself for not thinking of this hack before now

Glass of beer with a black background

Every now and then, an idea comes along that has us wondering how in the world it took so long for something so obvious to come to light. Those forehead slapping why-didn't-I-think-of-that moments. Well, brace yourself, because you're about to experience one such moment, courtesy of Miller Lite. If you've ever had the frustrating experience of room-temperature beer and lacked the patience to wait for the refrigerator to do its job, this clever little hack is for you. Miller Lite isn't just releasing retro gear and Christmas tree keg stands — the company has just released beer cube trays.
While Miller Lite has come up with some interesting ideas in the past, we are completely on board with this one. The idea is simple — ice cubes made from frozen beer instead of water. The pros? Instantly chilled beer without the worry of watery ice cubes diluting the flavor.
The cons? None. There are no cons. This idea is brilliant. What's more is that the molds of Miller Lite's beer cube trays are shaped into adorable tiny little beer cans, making them perfect for slipping into your can of brew. Plus, they're freaking adorable. The only problem is that since their release, they've become so popular that Miller Lite can hardly keep them in stock, so get them if you can. (At the time of writing, three different drops had sold out, but the company site says more will be in stock Monday.)

Of course, frozen beer cubes can be made from any of your favorite beers, in any perfectly charmless old ice cube tray from the grocery store. Simply pour your favorite beer into an ice cube tray, freeze, and voila! Beer cubes. Sure, they may not be as cute as Miller Lite's, but the benefits are the same — ice-cold beer in mere moments. And no watered-down taste? Who cares what the damned tray looks like?
People have been using ice cube trays in non-water applications for ages. Coffee ice cubes have been a thing for a while now. Simply pour a little of that leftover coffee into trays and freeze for a great way to enjoy your cold brew all day long without fear of losing any of that preciously caffeinated flavor. Or cool down a punch bowl with cubes of your frozen concoction for an icy treat that will stay flavorful for the whole party. You can even use your ice cube trays to portion out and freeze fresh herbs in oil for summertime flavor in wintertime meals. The possibilities really are immense.
If we're honest, though, this has got to be the cleverest idea so far. And yet, perhaps the most frustrating one at the same time. So thanks, Miller Lite, for pointing out what should have been so glaringly obvious for decades now: That the answer to warm, tepid beer has been in our freezers this whole time. So excuse us,while we go and buy all the ice cube trays.

Food & Drink

The 26 Best Beer Gifts for Your Beer-Loving Dad

best beer gifts for dad est your loving

Buying gifts for beer fanatics can be a little challenging, and that difficulty is amplified when you want to impress your beer-loving dad. Unless you have an in-depth knowledge of your dad’s favorite beers and styles, avoiding individual beers is probably the safest option out there, especially since beer fans are known to be very particular about the beers they drink. They might be choosy about their hops and have a strong opinion, good or bad, about the latest beer craze.

The best bet is to go for something to accompany their beer drinking. Whiskey fan? There are some great beer-finished whiskies. Voracious reader? There are plenty of excellent books about beer on the market.

Outdoors

8 Best Coolers for Cars To Keep Your Beverages Cool

The best coolers for car camping are almost better than your fridge at home.

Keeping your favorite beverages cold on the go has long been a headache for tailgaters, concert-goers, and car campers alike. These days, most vehicles boast more cupholders, power outlets, and computer capability than NASA’s original moon lander. All that tech means they make a great home base -- for sleeping, cooking, and entertaining -- for your next outing. If you’re looking to keep the party going along the way, even at your next campground, these are the best coolers for your car, truck, or SUV.
Igloo 28-Quart Thermoelectric Cooler

Due to the complicated technology and hardware required, the best coolers for your car are also the most expensive. Thermoelectric coolers, on the other hand, aren’t as efficient, but they’re far more affordable. Igloo’s 28-Quart Thermoelectric Cooler is a steal at less than $100. The waterproof interior is large enough for 32 12-ounce cans and can chill them down to 36 degrees F below the ambient air temperature. It’s a solid step-up from ordinary coolers, and the iceless design means you can fit a lot more food and drinks inside. For casual road trips, this is our pick for the best travel cooler for cars.