Last week the New York Times reported on "the new old way to tote your beer" [4]:
"Growlers — 64-ounce glass vessels that look like a moonshine jug — have become the beer accessory of the moment. And the jugs, filled at taps in bars and stores, are not just the toys of the bearded, flannel-shirt, beer-geek set."
Usually trends migrate from the coasts to the middle of the country; in the case of growlers, however, this lifelong East Coast dweller and longtime beer drinker's first encounter with one was on Louisville's Bardstown Road at Cumberland Brews [5] (1576 Bardstown Road).
Other area establishments where you can buy and refill growlers include New Albanian's Bank Street Brewhouse (415 Bank St., New Albany), Bluegrass Brewing Company (3929 Shelbyville Road [6] and 1 Theater Sq. [7]) and Louisville Beer Store (746 East Market). And while it's not local, but I own stock in it so I'm going to mention it anyway, Whole Foods [8] (4944 Shelbyville Road) just started carrying them as well.
Photo: Zach Everson