It may be the same beer, birthed from the same brewery on the very same day and time, but let’s face it; bottled will never taste the same as a foamy, fresh off the tap pint. What’s more, rare craft beers hardly leave the pubs. So, just how are you going to enjoy a cold one when all you is to just want to lounge at home after the daily grind?
The Beer Growler
Amber Nectar is changing the game right here in Singapore. The name is Beer Growlers – 1.89 L of their German craft beers (approximately 4 pints) in a mammoth of a bottle for you to take home. It is tinted brown as a protection of the precious, precious liquid inside, reminding me of those 80s/90s pirate cartoons on Cartoon Network. A sure fire way to get a home party all pumped up, perhaps singing Dead Man’s Chest in chorus as we go through a couple these growlers.
The Beers
There are four choices for beer lovers, all from Germany with each boasting a different palette. No doubt, my favourite is the peculiar and original Schlenkerla Smokebeer, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier – Marzen. This dark, aromatic beer with a 5.1% alcohol content intrigues you with its strong smoky flavour thanks to exposing the malt to the intense aromatic smoke of burning beech-wood logs. It is definitely strange with the first mouthful, but that distinct flavour gets you thirsty for another, and another and another. Best enjoyed fresh along with a side of Schweinshaxe (German Pork Knuckle with Crispy Skin), it would be as if I had have left Singapore for Bavaria.
For those wanting something lighter on the palette, perhaps to go with some of Amber Nectar’s Crispy White Bait, can look forward to the Hofbrau Original. This Munich Helles Lager is a simple, sweet hoppy light beer with a critus finish.
There is also the Hodbaru Dunkel, a Munich-style dark beer, which tastes creamier and stronger with a nuttier palette compared to its original. Both are simple treats to start the night off, or as a refresher during a hot day.
Last but not least is the golden Munchner Weisse – Hefe Weizen. This unfiltered wheat beer carries a nicely balanced and clean palette, with a hint of banana and clove. It’s clean, smooth and crisp to drink – very enjoyable.
The re-fills
So, whatever do you do with those giant glass bottles after you have emptied out every last drop? Go for another round, of course.
Amber Nectar not only sells the growlers, but also refills them, along with four other locations at Joo Bar, Salute Casual Dining, The Tiong Bahru Club and The Namly Club. The good news is that the refill will also be cheaper than buying the growler again. The Hofbrau Original, for example, will only cost S$31.20 with a new bottle.
The Verdict
Being able to get a fresh pint wherever you are, whether it be watching a match with your pals, a BBQ party or just wanting to hang out at the comfort of your own home is a simple, undeniable pleasure. There’s no need to move the location to the very bar, especially if you prefer having it all at your very own place. The best part about bringing this home? There is no longer a need to bother with all the hassle of figuring out how to get home in one piece. Be safe, be merry and worry-free with a fresh, cold brew any time of the day with the Beer Growler.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
