Crowler Guide: Size, Shelf Life & Beer Preservation

Table of Contents

• What Exactly Is a Crowler?
• Crowler Size and Capacity
• How Long Does a Crowler Last?
• Key Factors Affecting Crowler Freshness
• Proper Storage Techniques
• Can You Reseal a Crowler?
• Crowler vs. Growler Comparison
• Brewery Equipment for Quality Crowler Filling
• Chenma’s Brewing Solutions

What Exactly Is a Crowler?

A crowler (portmanteau of “can” + “growler”) is a 32-ounce aluminum can filled with draft beer and sealed immediately at the point of sale using a specialized machine. Unlike traditional bottled beer:

• Filled on-demand from brewery taps
• Sealed with oxygen-purged technology
• Provides superior light protection vs glass
• Invented in 2013 by Oskar Blues Brewery

Crowlers revolutionized takeaway beer by combining the freshness of draft beer with the portability and protection of canned beverages. Breweries using precision fermentation tanks maintain consistent quality for crowler filling.

Crowler Size and Capacity

Standard crowler specifications:

Less common sizes include 16oz “half-crowlers” and 64oz “double crowlers.” The 32oz size remains industry standard because it balances portability with adequate volume for sharing.

How Long Does a Crowler Last?

Crowler shelf life depends on several factors:

• Unopened (refrigerated): 30-45 days
• Unopened (room temp): 7-14 days
• Opened: 12-24 hours (resealed)

Properly filled crowlers from breweries using oxygen-controlled filling systems maintain peak freshness longer than traditional growlers.

Key Factors Affecting Crowler Freshness

1. Oxygen Exposure

During filling, oxygen purging is critical. Professional crowler machines reduce oxygen to <0.1ppm

2. Light Exposure

Aluminum blocks 100% of UV light, preventing “skunking”

3. Temperature Fluctuation

Consistent refrigeration below 4°C (39°F) preserves hop compounds

4. Beer Style

• IPAs: Drink within 2 weeks
• Stouts/Porters: Up to 3 months
• Sours/Wild Ales: May improve over years

Proper Storage Techniques

Maximize crowler lifespan with these methods:

1. Refrigerate immediately at 2-4°C (36-39°F)
2. Store upright to minimize liquid-can contact
3. Avoid temperature fluctuations
4. Keep away from vibrations
5. Consume within 30 days of filling date

Breweries using glycol-jacketed tanks ensure beer stability before canning.

Can You Reseal a Crowler?

Unlike traditional growlers, crowlers cannot be resealed after opening due to:

• Single-use aluminum construction
• Permanent seam when sealed
• No re-sealing mechanism

Once opened, transfer remaining beer to a sealed container and refrigerate. For reusable options, consider stainless steel growlers with pressure lids.

Crowler vs. Growler Comparison

Brewery Equipment for Quality Crowler Filling

Producing crowler-ready beer requires specialized equipment:

Crowler Machines

• Price range: $2,500-$8,000 USD
• Can seal 15-40 crowlers/hour
• Features: CO2 purging, automated seam checks

Essential Brewing Infrastructure

1. Stainless steel fermenters with glycol cooling
2. Bright beer tanks for carbonation control
3. DO (dissolved oxygen) monitoring systems
4. Sanitary transfer lines

Chenma’s Brewing Solutions

Shandong Chenma Machinery provides professional equipment for breweries producing crowlers:

Stainless Steel Fermentation Tanks

• 304/316L food-grade stainless steel
• Glycol jacketed for precise temperature control
• Conical bottoms for yeast management
• Custom sizes from 100L to 10,000L

Turnkey Brewing Systems

Our integrated solutions include:

• Mash tuns and brew kettles
• Fermentation and brite tanks
• CIP cleaning systems
• Canning line integration points