You’ve had a good afternoon on the patio, the beer in front of you is exactly what you didn’t know you wanted, and now you’re wondering how to get more of it home. Growler? Crowler? Just grab a can somewhere? If you’ve stood at the bar running through those options in your head, you’re not alone — and the answer really does depend on what you’re after. Here’s a plain-language growler vs crowler (vs can) decoder so you can order with confidence next time.
The Growler: the reusable classic
A growler is a jug — usually glass or insulated metal — that gets filled straight from the tap and capped or sealed on the spot. It’s the original take-home format, and it’s stuck around for good reason: you already own it, you bring it back, and it gets filled again. It’s the closest thing to pouring a pint you can carry out the door.
The tradeoff is exposure. Every time a growler gets opened, poured, and resealed, a little bit of oxygen sneaks in, and that’s the enemy of fresh beer. A well-sealed growler kept cold will treat you right for a few days. Left on the counter, or opened and re-capped more than once, it fades faster. Growlers reward you for planning to drink what’s inside sooner rather than later.
The Crowler: a 32oz can with a twist top
A crowler is a 32oz can filled fresh from the tap. A lot of breweries seal theirs on the spot with a can-seaming machine, but at Tidal Creek we’ve switched to crowlers with a twist-on top, and we think it’s the better way to go. The twist top gives you a more reliable seal than a machine-seamed can, and because you can screw it back on, you don’t have to drink all 32 ounces at once. Pour a glass or two, twist it shut, and put it back in the fridge for later.
Crowlers are also just easy to live with. There’s nothing to wash and return, they fit right in the fridge, and you can hand one to a friend without worrying about how it’s been treated in transit. If you’re taking a beer somewhere — a tailgate, a beach evening, a neighbor’s porch — a crowler is usually the lower-stress choice.
The Can: grab-and-go, no trip to the taproom required
Cans are the format most people already know from the grocery store or the six-pack in the fridge at home. They’re packaged and sealed under controlled conditions, so freshness is consistent can to can, and there’s no decision to make about “how fresh is this” — you’re trusting the seal and the date on the package. The one thing you give up is the on-the-spot, straight-from-the-tank freshness that a growler or crowler fill gives you the same day you order it. Cans are about convenience and consistency; growlers and crowlers are about capturing what’s pouring right now.
Growler vs crowler vs can: which one should you get?
It comes down to two questions: do you like the idea of a jug you bring back and refill, and how are you planning to drink it?
Love the ritual of bringing your own jug back for a refill, and planning to enjoy it within a few days? Go with a growler — it’s reusable, it’s the classic, and it’s satisfying to bring back for a fill.
Want something easy to carry that you can twist shut between pours and come back to later? Reach for a crowler. Nothing to wash or return, and no pressure to finish it in one sitting.
Just want beer in the fridge at home without a special trip? That’s what packaged cans are for.
How it works at Tidal Creek
We keep both take-home options going at the taproom: a 34oz insulated metal growler, a 64oz glass growler, and our 32oz twist-top crowler. If you’re a Tidewatchers member, you already know the perks: your membership comes with a 34oz insulated metal growler at sign-up, a free growler fill (32 or 34oz) every month, and access to Tidewatcher Tuesday — our weekly small-batch pre-release, where Tidewatchers get first crack at whatever Brewmaster Patrick Gibson has been working on, a full day before anyone else, with the option to take home a 32oz crowler of it. Small-batch to-go crowlers are a Tidewatcher-only perk, so if you’ve been wondering why the person next to you at the bar on a Tuesday is walking out with a can of something you haven’t seen on the menu yet, that’s why.
You don’t have to be a member to take beer home, though. Ask your bartender what’s available as a growler or crowler fill that day — with about 9 core beers and 8 small-batch beers rotating through the taps at any given time, there’s usually something worth carrying out the door, whichever format you land on.
Growler and crowler FAQs
What’s the difference between a growler and a crowler?
A growler is a reusable jug, glass or insulated metal, that you bring back to refill. A crowler is a 32oz can filled fresh from the tap that you don’t return. At Tidal Creek, our crowlers have a twist-top lid, so you can reseal them between pours.
How long does beer stay fresh in a growler?
A well-sealed growler kept cold will treat you right for a few days. Every time it’s opened and resealed, a little oxygen gets in, so plan to finish it sooner rather than later once you’ve cracked it.
Can you reseal a crowler?
Ours, yes. Tidal Creek crowlers use a twist-top lid instead of a machine-seamed top, so you can pour a glass or two, screw it shut, and put it back in the fridge.
What growler and crowler sizes does Tidal Creek offer?
We offer a 34oz insulated metal growler, a 64oz glass growler, and a 32oz twist-top crowler.
Do I need to be a Tidewatchers member to get beer to go?
No. Anyone can take beer home. Just ask your bartender what’s available for growler or crowler fills that day. Tidewatchers members get extra perks, like a monthly free growler fill and small-batch crowlers on Tidewatcher Tuesday.
Bring it home
There’s no wrong answer here — just the one that fits what you’re actually going to do with the beer. Want the classic, refillable jug? Growler. Want something easy to carry that you can twist shut and come back to? Crowler. Just want something dependable in the fridge? Grab a can. However you like to take it with you, we’d rather you leave with something good than leave without asking.
Come find out what’s on tap and take a little of it with you. Tidal Creek Brewhouse is at 3421 Knoles Street in The Market Common District, Myrtle Beach, SC. Learn more at tidalcreekbrewhouse.com.