Massachusetts Passes Rule to Allow Unlabeled Growler Fills at Breweries

Us craft beer drinkers here in Boston are wicked (sorry...very) excited. The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has just passed a new rule that permits the fill-up of growlers purchased outside of a specific brewery. Previously, you would only be able to fill a growler at a brewery if it had their logo. This change basically means less glass, yet still plenty of beer.

There is however one large caveat. The growler must be devoid of any labeling to be viable. So those 5 Harpoon growlers you have won’t quite cut it. Yeah...that part isn’t so much fun.

But not all is lost! If you want to save $8, some glass, and some space instead of purchasing your 15th new growler, there is one sure-fire way to strip the paint right off. Here’s how to do it:

1. Get one large, 5 gallon PET plastic bucket
2. Pour 1 ounce of Star San solution into the bucket (if you don’t have any, ask a homebrewer friend for some)
3. Fill with 4 gallons of warm water
4. Thoroughly mix the Star San and water to form solution
5. Submerge growler in the bucket so that all of the ink is below the water line
6. Wait at least 48 hours
7. Scrub with brillo pad to remove the printing
8. Wash thoroughly with water

That should do it! If you’re in Massachusetts with one of those blank growlers, you’re free to fill up where you please!