I was first introduced to the concept of a “growler bar” in a grocery store at the Whole Foods Market in Chattanooga, Tennessee when I was on a contract assignment at Volkswagen about three years ago. In the cheese section, they have a small bar with four beers on tap. You can actually buy a pint and drink it while you shop for your organic grass fed beef and free range eggs. You can also get a “growler” of your beer choice to go.
For those of you unfamiliar with growlers, a growler is a jug of beer to-go. You purchase the jug the first time and take it back to have it refilled, paying only for the beer on the refills. (Well, that’s the theory anyway. I seem to be collecting jugs from various venues that I don’t have with me when I need a refill.) Growlers have long been a staple at brew pubs in most states. (I understand Florida has an issue with growlers. I will research and report back for a later post.) I have recently run across growlers at a few Whole Foods stores in several states and at a liquor store in Arkansas.
Finally, A Growler Bar Close to Home
My wife Tracy and I recently checked out the new Whole Foods Market Cityline in Richardson, Texas, about ten miles from our home in Allen. I was really there to investigate the rumors that this new Whole Foods had a growler bar. Rumor confirmed! They actually have a pretty nice bar they call the Taproom. It appears to also be the cafe area for the deli and offers sixteen beers/ciders on tap.
Of course the name of this blog is Crazy Liquor Laws, so there has to be a story here. I was talking with the bartender and learned some interesting twists about our newfound beer-vana. The Taproom is a unique venue legally separated from the rest of the store by two half walls. These walls are really purely decorative. Tracy was admiring their spaced two by four design as we were entering the bar. But they are required to be there to demark the space. And there is a specially marked exit door for growlers, as featured in the photo above. Tasting is allowed. (No more than one ounce at a time by law.) Unlike Chattanooga, all beer must be consumed in the Taproom. Packaged beer and wine may be purchased in the store and consumed in the Taproom. This beer or wine must be served by the bartender and must be left behind the bar until you leave, at which point you may take any remainder with you; no special rules or restrictions. Crazy.
What do you think?
So let me know what you think. Have you enjoyed your favorite IPA while you shopped? What are the rules for growlers where you live? We want to hear about it. Leave a comment below. Or email me at Mark@CrazyLiquorLaws.com. You will need to register to comment and at that time I will need your email address; but don’t worry; I won’t be spamming you and will never sell your information.
Cheers!
Mark
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