Portland Growler Company's Ceramic Growler – a Work of Craft Beer Art
By C. Baker
There’s a rumor going around about a new(ish) Growler that has been spotted roaming the streets of Northeast Portland. My friend, Mark confirmed the gossip, reporting a sighting at Breakside Brewery’s NE Dekum location on Sunday. A few clicks of the mouse this morning led me to the company that spits out what I would say are fine pieces of art. They refer to themselves as the Portland Growler Company (PGC). According to their website they began in the summer of 2010. The company consists of designers and ceramicists who collectively work together to create locally made, beautiful clay based-growlers. The PGC growler, which brings to mind the Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey jug, comes in several styles and colors. One design, called The Sprocket even pays homage to our vibrant cycling community by sporting a handle that looks like, well, a sprocket!
In addition to their standard 64 ounce growler, they also carry the 32 ounce Growlette. Overall, I love what I see and completely appreciate the home-made aspect. The price point isn’t bad either; similar to the nicer growlers you’ll find on the market today. One important question Mark did bring up: “Would it break if I dropped it?” He answered: “When have I ever dropped a growler.”
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I agree… definitely a work of art. But not practical and I’d never buy one. Why would I want something that’s heavier than glass, you can’t see through, and still breakable? I’ll stick with my glass and stainless steel growlers.
I’ve been seeing those around for the past year. They are damn fine works of art (but don’t make my beer taste any better than my cheapo glass growlers).
i love my growler! the thick ceramic keeps my beer colder way longer than those chinese made glass growlers and thin metal ones, i think those are even made over seas now too!
These are awesome… they would def keep beer colder for longer, and if you dropped it it would less likely break (i would think)… besides, they look AWESOME
Got one of these for my B’Day. Lovely look to it, but I’m scared to use it! Straight to the trophy room.
Love my Portland Growler!!!!! It does get used occasionally (I have to travel about 70 miles for a fill up). Sits prominently in the kitchen to be envied and admired by all who visit. Screw glass. Ceramic stays colder.
I have both sizes! The smaller for a light night, and the large one for serious good times, They absolutely keep my beer colder than the common glass ones. We live in the Northwest home of the Craft Beer for Pete’s sake! How can you drink an awesome ale in cheap glass? After all Cheap is as Cheap does! Indulge!
Well Alex you cant see thru stainless either, at least I can’t.
These are much cooler than stainless
Why would you Want to drink a fine beer from a cheap Chinese glass when your beer stays nice and cold in these Dank Custom Growlers??? SMH!
I love my ceramic growler. Not only does it keep my brew cool, but I get instant rock star status when I show up to bar with mine. Plus I love to support small growing business like PGC!
I bought my husband a PGC for our anniversary last summer, and we took it on our Bend Beer Trip. We brought home a growler of beer from Crux, and didn’t drink it for 3 days. The beer was PERFECT – fresh, crisp, cold. That would never happen in a glass growler. We love it, and yeah, love the rock star attention it brings!
Very nice growler but the handle on mine broke(way to easily)…sucks considering the price and was only able to use it once 🙁