Big gulp: Missouri approves half-gallon beer “growlers” to go
A growler
While the Missouri Legislature is still debating jobs, health care and college affordability, here’s one thing lawmakers have already agreed on: The right to take big bottles of beer to go.
Heading to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk for final approval is a liquor law bill that approves the sale of “growlers” — half-gallon jugs of beer — for off-premise consumption at certain bars.
The provision, inserted by University City Democrat Maria Chappelle-Nadal, will allow bars that derive half or more of their income from food — and have at least 45 different types of beer on tap — to sell growlers to go.
“This minor change in state law will allow small businesses that specialize in craft beers, including many made in Missouri by both large and small brewers, to attract new customers and grow their sales,” Chappelle-Nadal said in a statement. “Many of these specialty beers are available only on draft at restaurants and bars. This legislation will allow adult beer aficionados to enjoy these fine products at home.”
The growler is not for light weights — at 64 ounces, it dwarfs standard cans or bottles, and even the common 40 oz. carryout container.
According to BeerAdvocate.com, the growler gradually evolved as the preferred method to transport draught beer from the pub to the home.
But how many bars will this new law help? Since the legislation applies only to taverns with nearly four dozen different types of beer on tap, it’s hard to imagine many.
One that will is Cicero’s, the Loop pizza joint in Chappelle-Nada’s district. The pizzeria boasts more than 50 brews on tap, everything from homegrown Schlafly to Belgium imports.
In other words: Beer lovers, get your growlers ready.
I appreciate the effort that Chappelle-Nadal is giving, but this really only benefits Ciceros and The Flying Saucer (in KC, MO). Thats it. No “small businesses” are going to benefit from this.
There are very few places in STL that have nearly that many taps, one other is iTap in Chesterfield (www.internationaltaphouse.com) and they derive nearly 100% of their income from beer sales, so how is this going to help them again?
I like the idea of the growler, it gives me the chance to buy a limited release beer, that may be higher in alcohol, and take it home to sample it there. The benefit of this is it allows the bars to sell the beer (at competitive prices to buying by the glass) and you take it home so you are not drinking and then trying to drive home.
The 50% food sales confuses me, who cares what the food sales are? This looks to be a page out of the St. Charles bar code book.
Finally, something to go with breakfast.
This is goofy- why can’t I do this? Just cuz I don’t serve 45 drafts? We serve craft draft beer at the Royale, many which you can’t get at the store. I would love to sell growlers as well. Seems like the law was written around a specific business. Shouldn’t be so specific, and open to the general marketplace.
Steven Fitzpatrick Smith
Tavern Keeper
The Royale Food & Spirits
3132 South Kingshighway
STL MO
I agree Steve. Smells sorta rotten to me. Sometimes I am really sick of how things seem to operate in the town. Aldermanic interference/deference paid.
I wonder if Growler’s fits into this category? Other than that, not many places do. Again, see article: Cicero’s will benefit, almost exclusively, and they are in Chappelle-Nadal’s district. This is very disappointing, as a beer fan, I would have liked to see many other good beer bars be able to sell growlers. Maybe next session excluded beer-joints can lobby the legislature to make the law more inclusive?
Spend a little time at Granite City Food & Brewery http://www.gcfb.net/ on any Tuesday in the late afternoon (happy hour) and you’ll see almost every person walk in the door with one, two or three growlers to fill on $5.00 Growler Refill Day. We love to eat dinner (the food is as good as the beer), fill our 2 growlers and go home to continue the party without worrying about having too much before driving:-)
How does it fit in the brown paper bag with that handle?
GRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Actually Sam, this should also apply to a couple other bars in St. Louis. I’m sure that “Growlers” Pub has at least 45 drafts, I know they have 132 types of beer. There are a couple other places too. But I do agree that 45 taps is a little excessive.
Purple Leader Growlers does not have 45 taps. Most of their 132 beers are bottled. Here is a link the their draught list. About 32 or 33 taps. So not even Growlers can sell growlers. This ‘law’ 100% caters to Ciceros, since it was written by their district rep. The 45 tap stipulation on this legislation is absurd. There’s no reason places with a significant list of craft taps, like The Royale or The Stable, shouldn’t also be allowed to sell growlers. Oh wait, there is a reason. This filthy politician wanted to make sure that a restaurant in her district had no local competition. It was probably easy to convince a bunch of whiskey drinking smelly old men that 45 taps was a fair number. This bill stinks.