Written by Jeff Flowers/Translated by Nan Lin

译者按：啤酒作为大众饮酒文化的重要组成部分，给我们的生活带来了诸多乐趣。作为一个啤酒极客，我们不单单要满足与能分辨各种啤酒，那种给人讲授“拉格和艾尔的区别”或者“啤酒花和酵母的风味”已经远远不能满足我们的高逼格。这个时候我们就要进入啤酒杯和啤酒壶的世界，进一步打磨我们啤酒极客的身份。今天我们就来先说说关于外带啤酒壶的故事。

Over the Memorial day weekend, I was walking into a local pub I like to frequent to get my growler filled. While walking in with this big container, a group of people stopped me to ask what it was and why I had it.

在纪念日的那个周末，我走进了当地一家我经常光顾的酒吧，在这里我将我带的咆哮啤酒壶填充满生鲜啤酒。当我拿着这个大家伙走进酒吧，一群人拦住我问我那是什么，为什么我会有这样一个容器。

I was a little flabbergasted that they didn’t know what a growler was, so I gave them a quick explanation of what it was and why I was bringing it into the bar. And then it hit me. If this group sitting at a bar doesn’t know what a beer growler is, then surely there’s a ton of other people out there missing out on the joys of a growler.

对于他们不知道什么是咆哮啤酒壶这件事我感到大吃一惊，所以我简明扼要得给他们解释了咆哮啤酒壶是一个什么物件并且为什么我会带着它来到酒吧。突然我冒出一个想法：如果这群坐在酒吧里的人不知道咆哮啤酒壶是什么，那肯定还会有外面很多人无视了咆哮啤酒壶的乐趣。

While  is still my preferred method of drinking draft at home, a growler is a great way to take draft beer with you on the go. Or maybe just get to try a beer without committing to an entire keg.

虽然我还是更喜欢在家喝自家酿的生鲜啤酒，但咆哮啤酒壶是旅途中携带生鲜啤酒的好方法。或者，你也许只是想去尝试一种啤酒，而不需要喝掉一整桶。

Let’s take a closer look at what growlers are, how to care for them and why every beer geek should own one.

让我们来仔细看看什么是咆哮啤酒壶，如何打理它们，为什么每个啤酒极客都应当拥有这样一个酒壶。

What Is a Beer Growler?

咆哮啤酒壶是什么？

Simply put, a beer growler is a container or vessel that is used for the transport of beer. It can also be described as an air-tight jug, typically made out of glass, ceramic or stainless steel that allows you to take draft beer from one place to another without a degradation of quality.

简而言之，一个咆哮啤酒壶是用于啤酒运输的容器。它也可以被描述为气密酒壶，通常由玻璃，陶瓷或不锈钢制成。你可以通过咆哮啤酒壶将生鲜啤酒从一个地方带到另一个地方，而保证生鲜啤酒的质量不会恶化。

A Quick History of Growlers

咆哮啤酒壶的简明历史

The origin of the term “growler” is the subject of debate, and likely, the true story will never be known. But as the story goes, in the latter half of the 1800’s, growlers referred to metal pails that were used to transport beer from the local tavern to an individual’s home.

“咆哮啤酒壶”一词的起源一直是争论的主题，而且很有可能的是，关于这个词起源的真实故事将永远不得而知。但随着故事的推移，在19世纪的下半叶，咆哮啤酒壶在当时指的是用于从本地酒馆运送啤酒到个人家中的金属桶。

There are those who believe the term arose from the sound that the pail’s cover made from the escaping carbon dioxide, while others believed the growling came from another source. The latter belief is that either the bartender or the customer would be responsible for the growling, as the bartender was supposed to fill the half-gallon container with only a pint of beer, while the customer wanted to get a pail that had much more than just a pint. Whichever party was left dissatisfied would “growl” about the issue, hence the very apt term.

还有那些相信这个词源自二氧化碳从桶的盖子逸出时所发出的声音，而另一些人则认为，这个词起源于其他原因，后者相信故事的起源应当是：酒保或客户都负责给咆哮啤酒壶灌酒，由于酒保理论上应当在半加仑的容器里只注入一品脱啤酒，但客人希望得到远超过一品脱的啤酒。无论哪一方当事人觉得不满意，针对这个问题都会愤愤不平地抱怨（注：换言之，“咆哮”），因此这是一个非常贴切的术语。

There was actually a period of time in which the use of growlers was outlawed, mainly stemming from the fact that children were often sent out to pick up a pail full of beer for their father. This chain of custody issue caused alarm in many of the same types of people who worked in support of prohibition, and the alarm led many cities to outlaw the use of these containers altogether. The growler eventually regained popularity, and the present form of container is among the most widely used for transporting craft beer from its source.

事实上，历史上有一段时间，咆哮啤酒壶的使用是被法律所禁止的。主要是由一个事实造成的，即孩子们经常被父亲们要求拿着咆哮啤酒壶去给父亲们打啤酒。关于一连串监护权的争论引起了很多支持禁令的一类人群的担忧，这些担忧导致了很多城市取缔了这类容器的使用。咆哮啤酒壶最终还是恢复了往日的声望，文中展示出的啤酒容器最广泛地被用于从源头运输生鲜啤酒。

Types of Growlers

咆哮啤酒壶的类型

Like most beer accessories, there are a few types of growlers that you should be aware of. Knowing the differences between these different types will give you a better idea of which one is right for you.

就像很多的啤酒周边产品一样，你应当对几种不同类型的咆哮啤酒壶有所了解。了解这些不同酒壶类型之间的差异会让你对哪一种酒壶更适合你有一个更好的判断。

Glass:

玻璃材质

This is easily the most popular type of growler you will see people walking around with. They are widely available. You can typically buy them in both clear and amber glass. Although, I would personally recommend NOT buying a growler made out of clear glass, as the beer is likely to go bad if it sits in the sun or is exposed to UV rays.

这无疑是最流行的咆哮啤酒壶类型，你会在很多地方看到人们拿着它。它们在很多地方都可以使用。你通常可以买到透明琥珀色的玻璃壶。虽然我个人并不建议买透明玻璃的咆哮啤酒壶，如果它在阳光下照射或暴露在紫外线下，啤酒有可能会变质。

One of the benefits of using a glass growler, is that you can see inside of it. This helps during the filling process, as well as gives you a pretty good idea of how much is left to drink.

使用玻璃啤酒壶的好处是，你可以看到啤酒壶的内部。特别是在灌酒的过程中，还有就是对喝剩下的酒心里有数。

However, the main downside of glass growlers is that they will crack, chip and/or shatter if you handle them carelessly. Because of this, they are not the best growler for you to use while on the go. Treat them with care, and they will take care of you for many years to come.

但是，玻璃材质的咆哮啤酒壶最大的不足就是不小心没拿好的时候容易摔裂，磕碰和摔碎。由于这些原因，他们并不是你在旅途中携带的最好选择。如果仔细得保养和使用这些酒壶，它们也会很好得照顾你很多年。

Stainless Steel:

不锈钢材质

This type of growler is very popular, as they are easy to carry around and unlikely to break if you drop them. The stainless steel build will help insulate your beer, keeping it cold for you longer than any other type of growler.

这种类型的咆哮啤酒壶非常受欢迎，因为它们易于携带，如果掉地上也不会摔坏。不锈钢将帮助啤酒保温，比任何其他类型材质的咆哮啤酒壶都会让啤酒保持更长时间的低温。

If you are going for a hike, camping with some friends or out enjoying a concert, then a stainless steel growler would be the recommended choice for you. They’re easy to carry around, durable for on-the-go drinking and keeps your beer colder for longer.

如果你要出去爬山，和一些朋友露营，或者享受一场音乐会，那么不锈钢咆哮啤酒壶将是值得推荐的选择。它们很容易携带、耐用，在旅途中保持你的啤酒更长时间的低温。

The main downside of stainless steel growlers, however, is that you can’t see inside them which may make it somewhat harder to fill, as well as know when you are running low.

不锈钢咆哮啤酒壶的主要缺点是：你不能看到酒壶里面的情况，这样在后续灌酒的时候就会变得困难些，同时也不知道什么时候酒已经剩得不多了。

Ceramic:

陶瓷

This is another popular type of growler, but one that is a bit harder to find and more expensive to buy. Aesthetically, ceramic beer growlers look nice, but they can tend to be very heavy to carry around and somewhat difficult to clean. Because you can’t see inside of it, you may have some problems during the filling and cleaning process.

这是另一种流行的咆哮啤酒壶，但是不是很好找到，并且价格也会更昂贵些。美学观点上讲，陶瓷咆哮啤酒壶看起来很不错，但是携带起来感觉会比较重并且有些难以清洁。因为你不能看到它的内部，你可能会在后续灌酒和清洗过程中遇到一些问题。

Unfortunately, ceramic growlers are still susceptible to chipping or breaking if dropped or handled carelessly. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should avoid ceramic growlers. They certainly get the job done.

不好的消息是，陶瓷咆哮啤酒壶如果掉在地上或者处理不慎的话，也是易于碎裂，或者打破。当然，这并不意味着你应该避免使用陶瓷咆哮啤酒壶。他们用起来的时候也挺好使的。

4 Benefits of Growlers

咆哮啤酒壶的四大优势

1.Easy way to transport draft beer

1.运输生鲜啤酒方便

Growlers are incredibly easy to take with you. Despite the many sizes and shapes, most growlers will have a handle for you to carry it by. Even when filled with beer, they’re not too heavy. It’s easy to carry and transport multiple ones at the same time. Since they are air-tight, the beer will remain fresh even when transported.

咆哮啤酒壶非常容易随身携带。尽管有许多尺寸和形状，大多数咆哮啤酒壶将会有一个把手用来拿。即使装满啤酒，它们也不是太重。它携带方便，并且可以在同一时间运输多个。由于啤酒壶是密封空气的，啤酒在运输过程中将保持新鲜。

Instead of trying to offer a description of your new favorite beer, or having to wait until the next time you both can go to the bar or brewery, that beer can be easily transported to your friend’s home so that you all can experience it firsthand.

比起每一次试图描述一种你喜欢的新啤酒，或者要等下次你们都有空才能去酒吧或者啤酒坊喝酒，啤酒可以很容易地（通过酒壶）运送到你朋友的家里，所有人都可以体会生鲜啤酒的口感。

2.Bring Home Beer From the Local Brewery

2.从当地的啤酒坊携带啤酒

This one depends on the brewery and laws of your area, but one of the best benefits of owning a growler is that you can bring home beer right from the brewery. There’s nothing quite like that first sip of a beer that you got directly from the source. But keep in mind, not every brewery will fill up a growler for you, and those that do may likely have rules they want you to follow. So make sure you call ahead and verify that they will fill it up.

这一条要看您所在地区啤酒坊的规定以及当地的法律，但是拥有一个咆哮啤酒壶的最好益处在于，你可以直接从啤酒坊打啤酒回家喝。有什么能比得上你直接从现酿啤酒坊直接打酒回到家喝上的第一口。但请记住，不是每一个啤酒坊都会给啤酒壶打酒，而且很可能他们有一套希望你遵守的规则。所以一定要提前打电话确认他们是否会给酒壶打满酒。

3.Share your homebrew

3.分享你的家酿啤酒

As homebrewing continues its rise in popularity, those same brewers will want to share their brew with their friends and family. Obviously, bottling your home brew is a pretty easy method to share the joy. But what if you don’t want to put in the work of bottling, and instead prefer to keg your beer? Since this is my preferred method, I’ve had to cross this bridge before.

家酿啤酒在持续变得流行，那些相同的啤酒制造商都希望与他们的朋友和家人分享自己酿造的啤酒。显然，装瓶你的家酿啤酒是分享饮酒喜悦一个非常简单的方法。但是，如果你不想把家酿啤酒装瓶，而是更愿意将家酿啤酒装在桶里？由于装桶我的首选方法，我必须在以前学会这个。

If I want to bring my latest brew to a friend’s house, then I have one of two choices: bottle it or fill up my growler. Because I prefer kegging, filling up one of my growlers is the easiest way for me to transport my brew without completely ruining it.

如果我想将我最新酿制的家酿啤酒带到朋友的房子，我一般有两个选择：瓶装或者用咆哮啤酒壶。因为我选择用桶灌装啤酒，所以对我来讲，用咆哮啤酒壶装啤酒是最为简单的运输方法，并且不会完全毁了啤酒。

4.Tap a New Keg

4.重新灌装一个新酒桶

For bartenders and party hosts alike, beer growlers can serve a very practical and important purpose. When the keg begins to get low, the remaining beer can be put in one or more growlers. This enables a new keg to be tapped, while also ensuring that there is beer still available.

对于酒保和派对主人一类人，咆哮啤酒壶可以达到一个非常实用和重要的目的。当桶装啤酒的存量下降到很低的时候，剩余的啤酒可以存放在一个或多个咆哮啤酒壶里。这使得一个新的小桶可以去重新灌装的同时，确保仍然有啤酒可以饮用。

For a bartender, this is especially important, as there will be no gap in service and the keg can be tapped without the stress of waiting customers. For a party host, it may take more time to tap the new keg or there may not be several taps available, so having growlers on hand will ensure that beer is always available to guests.

对于一个酒保，这一点尤其重要，因为这样的话，服务时间将不会有间隔，在灌装小桶的时候，不用面对等待啤酒的客人带来的压力。对于派对主人来说，需要更多的时间灌装新的一桶啤酒，或者没有那么多可用的酒头，所以咆哮啤酒壶将会确保啤酒始终能供应给客人。（未完待续）

原文链接：Growlers 101: Why Every Beer Geek Should Own One

About Author

Jeff Flowers has been a self-described beer geek for over a decade now. When he's not chasing his daughter around, you can usually find him drinking a fresh brew and wasting too much of his time on both Google+&Twitter.