Santa Fe Brewing Company

On our long cross country move from San Francisco to New Jersey we found ourselves in Santa Fe, NM. We stopped a lot of breweries on our trip, but this one certainly stood out. We started with some sampling and a few pints at the brewery where we had a great time hanging out with one of the brewers and sampling beer. We also got to watch the best sunset I've ever seen. After that we walked across the parking lot to their brew pub for some more beers, great food laden with green chilies, and a nice open mic night. Their Fiesta IPA is amazing, try it if you get the chance.

http://www.santafebrewing.com/

Dock Street Brewpub

This growler came from Dock Street brewery in west Philadelphia. Dock Street a long and rich history of craft beer brewing. They were really one of the first breweries to get into the craft brewing renaissance that really started in the mid to late 80s. They are well known for their pilsner, but they also make a great Rye IPA that I recommend. It was a cold winter night when a group of us ventured out there for the first time, in addition to the great beer we heard about, we discovered that their hardwood fired pizza is some of the best in the area. We returned with this German style growler filled with a delicious seasonal porter.

http://www.dockstreetbeer.com/

Victory Brewing

Victory Brewing is not the closest brewery to us, but it's one we travel to often. Victory's beer is considered local to us and boy are we lucky. Though they are well known for their Prima Pils, Hop Devil, and Golden Monkey, they produce a large array of fantastic offerings. My personal faves include Hop Wallop, Baltic Thunder (a truly amazing baltic porter), and their Festbier. Their brewery and brewpub is located in Downingtown, PA, not too far from Philly. They use German style 2-Liter growlers. These two came with Festbier and Hop Wallop.

http://www.victorybeer.com/

Iron Hill Brewery

This is the standard growler for Iron Hill Brewery, a micro chain of brewpubs operating in the Philly metro area. We go here often, good food, good beer. It's usually good to go with a seasonal offering here, although their Pig Iron Porter that is always available is fantastic.

http://www.ironhillbrewery.com/

John Harvard's Brew House

This growler came from John Harvard's Brew House, a micro chain of brew pubs that operates about nine locations in the north east. This particular growler came from the Harvard Square location in Cambridge Mass. It was filled with their Helles Lager which provided us with a nice, easy drinking night cap one evening. Thanks to Mark for acquiring this one on his tour of new england!

link to John Harvard's: http://www.johnharvards.com/

Mt. Shasta Brewing Company (Weed Ales)

This is the first growler that I've gotten where I haven't had the chance to sample the beer. They are located in Weed, California at the base of Mt. Shasta and I never had a chance to get up there. I originally had them send me a sampler of their beers along with the growler, but they couldn't ship it before we drove back to NJ (which doesn't allow the shipping of beer). They were kind enough to still ship me a growler though (and they threw in some goodies, like a coaster, growler stickers, and a "Try Legal Weed" bottle cap). They also sent me a coupon for a free growler fill up next time I am in the area. Mt. Shasta BC has been in the news recently because up until a few weeks ago, the government would not let them use the "Try Legal Weed" slogan that they place on their bottle caps. Thankfully, someone higher up realized how ridiculous it was and they are now allowed to use it.

link to Mt. Shasta BC: http://www.weedales.com/home.htm

Grand Canyon Brewing Company

We stopped at Grand Canyon BC during our cross country move from San Francisco. It's located in the quaint town of Williams, AZ, about 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon. It's great little brew pub that seems that is covered in hand crafted wood including the bar top, stools, pool table and even the tap handles. We sampled a few beers there, of note were their Raspberry Wheat and an absolutely outstanding Oatmeal Stout.

Link to GCBC: http://www.grandcanyonbrewingco.com

Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery

Moat mountain is located in North Conway New Hampshire. I didn't have the opportunity to visit, however, my brother was kind enough to bring me back a growler filled with their Square Tail Stout. The Square Tail was a very smooth, almost crisp, clean drinking stout. Very delicious.

A link to Moat Mountain: http://www.moatmountain.com/

Marin Brewing Company

This growler came from Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur CA. It came home filled with their wonderful IPA. A great place that I highly recommend (I even had the best sandwich of my life and one of the best cups of chili too). Well know for their IPA they also have a good (surprisingly) Bluebeery Ale (A light refreshing ale that's not a sweet as you might think) and a fantastic Point Reyes Porter.

Stone Brewery

Stone Brewery is located in Escondido, CA (just north of San Diego). I did not get this growler at the brewery (they shipped it to me), however I drink their beer all the time. My particular favs: Arrogant Bastard Ale (described as an "aggressive" ale that "you probably won't like") and their Ruination IPA (described by them as a Hop Monster). Stone makes some strong and sophisticated beers that I highly recommend. http://www.stonebrew.com/

Link to the Arrogant Bastard Ale (it's hysterical): http://www.stonebrew.com/arrogantbastard/index.php

Rogue Brewing

We went to the Rogue Brewing alehouse in the North Beach section of San Francisco for this growler. An Oregon based brewery, they create numerous styles and are sold through out CA, the northwest and even further. This is a specialized growler of their "Dead Guy Ale", a German style Maibok that celebrates the Mayan "Day of the Dead". A truly great beer. Personal note, we got this the day Amy traded in her good old Dodge Stratus for a brand spankin new succulent Saturn Vue. http://www.rogue.com/

San Francisco Brewing Company

San Francisco Brewing Company is a pretty plain jane operation and it's growler is a perfect example of that: standard brown style growler with no markings at all. We got this at their North Beach location. This one came home with their ShanghaI.P.A., an attempt at a west coast IPA that could have used more hops, but was extremely drinkable. http://www.sfbrewing.com/

Pyramid Brewery

This growler came from Pyramid's brewing facilities in Berkeley, CA. Pyramid is famous for their hefeweizen's, going so far as to have a giant how-to board in their alehouse demonstrating different ways to squeeze lemons into them. This growler, however, came home filled with their Thunderhead IPA, a decent west coast style IPA with just enough hops. http://www.pyramidbrew.com/

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

One of our favorite places. This growler came filled with their "Maverick" Amber Ale, named for the giant waves that occur right near the brewery and the surfing competion that challenges those waves. Our first growler of this shape, it features a swing top lid that really aids in keeping the beer fresh. http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/

E. J. Phair Brewing Company

This quaint little brewery located in Concord, CA produces a great English IPA and Stout. We went here the night we had my fiance's ring resized and came home with this growler filled with their "Stouter" (an English style stout that drank more like an imperial porter). http://ejphair.com/

Seabright Brewery

We went here the day after our engagement, also in Santa Cruz, this brewery features several award winners including their stout, amber, and their Sacrilegious Red ( a cross IPA/Irish Red). We took this growler home containing their Amber Ale, which Amy adored. http://www.seabrightbrewery.com/

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery

Another organic brewery, this place has a great IPA, Stout, Amber, and Porter. We had a couple here while we played Jenga, just hours before I proposed to Amy (great planning by me, knowing I might need some extra (read: liquid) courage before making the ultimate move). This growler we brought to our oceanside bed and breakfast containing their IPA. http://www.santacruzmountainbrewing.com/

21st Ammendment

My favorite brewery ever (named for the constitutional amendment that repealed prohibition), and the thing I will miss the most about San Francisco. Located on 2nd street, right near At&T park (and just a couple blocks from our 4th street apt). Well known for their 21A IPA and Watermelon Wheat. They define West Coast IPA with their 21 IPA. Their Watermelon wheat sounds too fruity but it must be tried to believe, it's great, a favorite with everyone who has tried it. We have several of these from our numerous visits, this was probably filled with their IPA or watermelon wheat. http://www.21st-amendment.com/

Thirsty Bear

Closest Brewery to our SOMA (in SF) apartment. A completely organic brewery and tapas place. They have wonderful beer, including a great ESB, brown ale, lager, and also a wonderful (believe it or not) Vanilla lager (which this particular growler came filled with). http://www.thirstybear.com/

Beach Chalet

Your basic clear growler, this was/is one of our favorite places from when we moved out to the bay area. Our dog, Porter, is partially named for the generic style porter (with jeff's help) and more specifically for the Beach/Park Chalet's Golden Gate Park Porter (for which this particular growler came filled with). http://www.beachchalet.com/