Grunting Growler
51 Old Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
What is it? A take-home craft beer shop. They say the Finnieston area is the place to eat and drink in Glasgow, and in a recent poll it was voted one of the “hippest” places to live. Who would have thought it, 10 years ago, when this was one of Glasgow’s forgotten and run-down areas? Sometimes with locations like this, the original crowd that made it hip in the first place get bored because of all the new folks jumping in on the act. This means that the location starts to expand or people start looking for a whole new area to grow beards in. In this case, the Finnieston effect has slowly started to creep into nearby Yorkhill. You can almost smell it in the air: a pop-up art shop, an artisan coffee house, then boom! Yorkhill has this potential and Grunting Growler – which opened in the area last month – has taken the big leap from its pop-up locations in The Drake and Peckhams to having its very own venue. A former supermarket has been transformed by owner Jehad Hatu into a slick shop serving up draught craft beer for customers to take home, as well as loads of bottled beers to choose from.
Interesting fact: The shop’s name comes from when beer used to be taken home from the local boozer in a tin can with a lid on top. When the beer started to fizz, it would let out a hissing (“growling") sound. The growler is a take-home container for draft beer and for years, Americans have been using them to take home beer poured from kegs at their local brew-pubs. They are said to have really became popular in Seattle back in 2010.
Verdict: Having followed Jehad Hatu's pop-up ventures from the outset, I am delighted that all that hard work has paid off in him opening his first venue. It couldn't happen to a nicer American. In order to sell anything you need to believe in it and have a passion for what you are selling and Jehad has this in buckets (or growlers if you like). The team here are ready and willing to answer your questions and will ensure you leave with the perfect beer for any occasion.
The offering: There are four beer taps that are continually changing. A growler comes in two sizes, a 750ml priced £5 and a two-litre at £7. Once you have bought them, they are yours to fill and refill as many times as you like: all you pay for is the beer itself. You can also choose from a huge but carefully selected bottled range and even treat yourself to some cheese or maybe your own Grunting Growler cap. I took home a Polish Champagne (a forgotten style called Lichtenhainer beer) from the Brass Castle brewery for £5.25 in a 750ml growler, which was outstanding.
How does it work? It's pretty simple: you sample draught beer before buying. Then, your grower is filled with your chosen beer (you can't sit drinking in the shop). So in simple terms: 1. Sample free beer 2. Fill the growler 3. Take home and drink the contents 4. Repeat. They even clean out and sanitise your growler before you top back up.
Prices: The draught beers start from £5 for 750ml or £12 for two litres, and believe me they are worth every penny.
Perfect for: Planning a night in with friends and stocking up on some of the best craft draught beers around.
Avoid if: You fancied a gin and tonic.
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