Growlers 201: How they've grown and where to fill

For nearly a year, Delawareans have been able to walk into a liquor store empty-handed and walk out with craft beer in a refillable jug – better known as a growler.

Beer lovers have been taking advantage of it, said Ed Mulvihill, owner of Peco's Liquors in Penny Hill. Since the growler law went into effect last May, growlers have become the best-selling product in Peco's, Mulvihill said.

The 77-year-old store has already expanded from eight to 16 taps.

"We're an established business, so any time you can add a totally new segment, it's just really exciting," he said.

Just head to a growler-friendly store or bar, buy an empty growler, and fill 'er up. Prices for the full growlers vary depending on their size (most are 32 or 64 ounces) and what type of brew you choose. It's that easy.

Premier Wine & Spirits in Stanton is making it even easier by expanding its four taps to 12, which should be up by May, said Michael Whitwell, general manager. The Liquor Depot in Dover started with five taps, but now it has 10.

There are 19 liquor stores and taprooms in Delaware with growler licenses, according to the Office of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner.

One of the newer kids on the beer block is Beach Liquors, with locations in Fenwick Island and Bethany Beach.

"Most people are unaware that the law changed and are surprised to see draft beer in the liquor store," said Chris Miller, manager of the stores and co-owner of the Fenwick Island location. Growlers allow them to offer hard-to-find beers, like the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout that they'll tap on April 19. It's such a rarity that half the keg has been pre-sold (email bruno@beachliquors.com for more information). They're also planning to have plastic and insulated aluminum growlers by May 1 for outdoors.

They also have a unique beer brewed just for them by the Mispillion River Brewing Company, which is always be on tap.

Some Maryland stores fill growlers, but there's a hitch: They can only fill growlers purchased at the store.

In Delaware you can BYOG – bring your own growler – to most places for a fill-up, or buy an empty one to be filled. And refilled. Again. And again.

Contact Sarika Jagtiani at (302) 324-2885 or sjagtiani@delaware online.com.

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

16 Mile Taphouse, 115 E. Main St., Newark. (302) 266-8111. www.stoneballoonwh.com. Eight taps. BYOG or buy one for $8.

ABC Liquors, 316 Fox Hunt Drive, Bear. (302) 836-9463. www.abcliquorsde.com Six taps. BYOG or buy one for $5.

Peco's Liquor Store, 522 Philadelphia Pike, Penny Hill. (302) 764-0377. www.picosliquors.com. 16 taps. BYOG or buy one for $5.

Premier Wine & Spirits, 2052 Limestone Road, Stanton. (302) 996-9463. www.premierwinespirits.com. Four taps. BYOG or buy one for $5.

Stanley's Tavern,2038 Foulk Road, Brandywine Hundred. 475-1887. www.stanleys-tavern.com. 22 taps.

Total Wine & More, 691 Naamans Road, Claymont. (302) 792-1322. 24 taps. BYOG ( call for specifications) or buy one for $3.99 (32 oz.) or $4.99 (64 oz.)

Fairfield Liquors, 407 New London Road, near Newark. (302) 731-4170. Eight taps. BYOG or buy one for $4.99 (32 oz.) or $5.99 (64 oz.)

Frank's Wine, 1206 N. Union St., Wilmington. (800) 283-7265. www.frankswine.com. Three taps. BYOG or buy one starting at $4.99.

Hideaway Bar & Grill, 2617 Ebright Rd., Wilmington. 475-6186. Five taps.

Inner Spirits, 1622 Delaware Ave., Wilmington. (302) 654-1670. Four taps. BYOG or buy one for $5 (32 oz.) or $6 (64 oz.)

Jackson Inn, 101 N. Dupont Road, Wilmington. (302) 652-9972. Six taps. BYOG or buy one for $6.

Jessop's Tavern, 114 Delaware St., New Castle. (302) 322-6111. www.jessops-tavern.com. 18 taps. BYOG or buy one for $6.

Kreston Wine & Spirits, 448 E. Main St., Middletown. (302) 376-6123. www.krestonwines.com. 12 taps. BYOG or buy one for $5.

Kreston Liquor Mart, 904 Concord Ave., Wilmington. (302) 652-3792. www.krestonwines.com. Three taps. BYOG or buy one for $5.

KENT COUNTY

Liquor Depot, 1010 Forrest Ave., Dover. (302) 736-3050. 10 taps. BYOG or buy one for $11.99.

SUSSEX COUNTY

Beach Liquors Fenwick, 1300 Highway One, Unit 10, Fenwick Island. Six taps. BYOG or buy one for $10.

Beach Liquors Bethany Beach, 32967 Highway One, Bethany Beach. (302) 539-7400. Six taps. BYOG or buy one for $10.

MARYLAND

State Line Liquors, Elkton-Newark Road, Elkton, Md. (410) 398-3838. 20 taps. Store can only fill their own growlers: $4 (32 oz. ) or $5 (64 oz.)