Pressurized CO2 Growler Dispenser Tap for Glass Beer Growlers by the Spotted Dog Company

This setup consists of a regulator, growler dispense cap, faucet with tubing and dip tube.  It’s designed to fit standard glass growlers.  This allows you to serve tap beer from a standard growler as you want to.  Since it’s regulated, you can keep carbonation levels up and reduce oxidation.  Note that a growler is not included and you need to buy CO2 cartridges separately.

Hands on Review: Spotted Dog CO2 Pressurized Growler Dispenser

A look at the cap, faucet and tubingA look at the included mini CO2 regulator.  Note that this is a regulator as opposed to an injector.  Injectors give you no regulation of pressure other than the amount you choose to inject.  This is an actual regulator that you can set to a desired pressure.  That’s a key feature since this is intended to be used with compatible glass growlers.

You can also use this with your homebrew keg… This regulator features a female flare connector (the brass piece on the right side of this photo).  That means you can install it on a ball lock or pin lock MFL QD [Search MFL keg disconnect] and use it on a ball lock or pin lock homebrew keg.  Whammo!A look at the faucet.  A standard picnic/cobra style tap with a small length of tubing attached.A look at the inside of the dispense cap.  Notice the included o-ring/gasket.  The cap feels sturdy and well built.A look at the cap top-down.  A PRV is installed on the top of the cap.  That’s for venting to help adjust pressure or when you’re ready to remove the cap.  The male flare at the bottom is for installation of the included regulator.A look at the entire assembly after a soak in PBW.  Note that I did not soak the regulator in PBW.  That was installed after cleaning and rinsing the cap, faucet, tubing and dip tube.Installed on a growlerA look at the front of the CO2 pressurized growler dispenserA close up of the regulator dial.  The gauge on this regulator reads 30 PSI.  Under no circumstances should this be set at 30 PSI.  I keep it under 10 PSI.  For serving I’ve found that just 1 or 2 PSI is sufficient.  It’s important that you read and follow all manufacturer’s instructions for this unit.  In the background: Gridmann Commercial Stainless SinkA top down look at the adjustment knobTop down look at the entire unitA side view look at the dispense cap.  My cap says “Max Pressure 15 PSI”.   I keep it under 10 PSI.  For serving I’ve found that just 1 or 2 PSI is sufficient.  It’s important that you read and follow all manufacturer’s instructions for this unit.A look at the PRV valve
The picnic tap hangs nicely on the growler handleI found this easy to clean.  After removing the regulator, I rinsed the entire assembly, making sure there was some water left in the faucet tubing to help start a siphon.  Then I placed the unit in a tub of PBW and opened the faucet (below the unit and tub of PBW).  That starts a nice flow of PBW that you can let run out.  Of course, I did all of this in my Gridmann Commercial Stainless Sink.  I consider a quality utility sink an essential piece of homebrew gear.

Compatibility

Beyond standard growlers this will work with other compatible growlers that use standard 38mm caps.  Examples: The Prowler PET Growler and 128oz Stainless Steel Insulated Growler by Spotted Dog Company.  It will also work with some gallon size jugs as long as they are pressure capable and use standard threads.  For the larger gallon containers, you may need to swap out the dip tube tubing for a longer length.

Conclusions

The beauty of this setup is that it works on standard glass growlers.  Many locales or breweries only fill their branded or specially marked growlers.

This does have some safety implications, it’s important that your growler is in good condition and capable of holding pressure.  That’s always true whether you’re using this or not.  Growlers hold pressurized beer and should be capable of doing so at proper pressures.  Make sure to read and follow the directions that come from the manufacturer and set this to a safe PSI for your particular growler.  The good news is, not much pressure is needed to serve beer.  As I’ve already mentioned… you don’t need a lot of pressure to serve beer with this, just a 1 or 2 PSI.

This allows me to preserve beer, commercial or homebrew, using an easy to find standard growler so that I can drink it at my own pace.  This is well built and converts a compatible growler into a featured packed mini keg that helps to preserve beer so you can drink it at your desired pace.

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

• PRESSURIZED growler dispensing has never been easier with the new Pressurized Growler Dispenser Tap. Fill up your favorite standard glass growler, attach the tap cap and regulator, use a single 12g CO2 cartridge and you’re ready to dispense!
• BREWERY FRESH beer every time you go for another pint. The CO2 mini regulator lets you dispense your favorite craft beer at it’s proper serving pressure like it is straight from the tap!
• PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE allows for easy oxygen purging to keep your beer fresh for weeks. Don’t settle for flat, tasteless growler beer ever again!
• UNIVERSAL fit with all standard 64oz and 128oz glass growlers with 38mm threaded caps. Save money over expensive pressurized growler systems by using your existing growler with the Growler Dispenser Tap!
• Don’t forget the cartridges! Cartridges are sold separately. We recommend 12g or 16g threaded food grade CO2 cartridges. Search Amazon for B07GNVKTS9 to find ours. A 12g cartridge will easily dispense 64oz of beer.

Get the Gear

Pressurized CO2 Growler Dispenser Tap for Glass Beer Growlers


The Weekend Brewer 6-Pack 12g 3/8″ Threaded Disposable CO2 Cartridges (6, 12g)


Related: Hands On: the Growler Saver Pressurized Growler Cap – note that GrowlerSaver is now defunct | Tips and Gear for Growler Filling

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Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions. review:co2growler tag:tpr

Special thanks to Spotted Dog Company for providing the unit used for evaluation

Updated: 5/3/2024

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Hands on Review: GrowlerWerks uKeg 128

When I initially migrated from bottling to kegging, I was glad to be free of bottle wrangling. I didn’t have to keep boxes of empties, deal with cleaning/sanitizing, or the bottle-filling process. I also didn’t have to deal with bottling sugar calculators that had me making bottle bombs with cold-fermented lagers, or ales that sat mysteriously for weeks without developing carbonation of any intensity. But not long after leaving the bottles behind, I ran into the issue of how to share my beers. Of course I could invite people over, but there’s always that party at a friend’s house or a neighbor that really likes NEIPA but can’t make it to your tasting party.

To keep your homebrew mobile, you can go the way of glass growlers like the brewery taprooms do. It’s got the same appeal at home as it does at the brewery- cheap and easy. But it limits you on key aspects of freshness and ability to stay cold at a party. If you think about it, it’s akin to taking a 4-pack of your favorite beer you want to share, opening the bottles and pouring it into an empty pop bottle, and screwing the lid on it. Let’s face it, your homebrew is a labor of love, and it’s natural to want to show it off to friends & neighbors. So when you think a bit about the best way to present your baby, it’s not surprising homebrewers look for something beyond the glass growler with screw-on lid.

GrowlerWerks came onto the homebrewing scene when it completed its successful Kickstarter campaign in December of 2014. They initially launched with a high-tech upgrade to the standard glass growler with their 64 oz pressurized/insulated growler. The 128 oz version came along about a year later with all the same features, but with a full gallon capacity. That’s a great difference. The uKeg 64 holds four 16-oz pints. That works well for loaning out a sample to a friend. The uKeg 128 holds eight 16-oz pints. Now you’re talking something useful to bring to a party. The 64 almost felt like more trouble than it was worth to take to a party, unless you were bringing more than one brew. But with the 128 you don’t have to show up and then hide it until your craft brew friends find you and get to sample it before it’s gone.

Check Current Pricing and Availability:

• GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler-Great Gift for Beer Lovers, 128 oz, Stainless Steel – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
• GrowlerWerks Copper uKeg Carbonated Growler-Great Gift for Beer Lovers, 128 oz – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
• Search Amazon for GrowlerWerks – for additional models
• Direct from GrowlerWerks

GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler-Great Gift for Beer Lovers, 128 oz, Stainless Steel

$259.95

GrowlerWerks uKeg Go Carbonated Growler Beer Gift and Craft Beverage Dispenser for Beer, Soda, Cider, Kombucha and Cocktails, Amazing Gift for Beer Lovers,128 oz, Tungsten

$161.31

GrowlerWerks Copper uKeg Carbonated Growler-Great Gift for Beer Lovers, 128 oz

$289.95

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