Newtown Growler Depot prolongs shelf life of beer

The Newtown Growler Depot is here to prolong your pilsner's shelf life.

Growlers are are a top vessel for beer - good for the environment, wallet, and tastebuds. Plus the reusable two litre jug can be fashioned into a lovely table-lamp with the right electrical know-how.

However a jug of fresh, straight-from-the-keg beer might only last a day or two after bottling before it becomes flat and lifeless. Fine if you plan to drink on the day of purchase, not so great if you want to take some fresh IPA on holidays.

Newtown Growler Depot is located inside the Newtown Wine Shop. The hero of the depot is 'Rosie', a custom-built machine about the size of a 1970's Space Invaders arcade game. Rosie helps solve beer storage issue by pressure-filling growlers so the brew stays drinkable for at least three weeks.

Rosie is also able to clean and sanitise the growlers, eliminating the need for tedious washing at home.

"You're getting good value in a growler," says Sam Taylor, founder of Newtown Growler Depot and organiser of the Sydney Craft Beer and Cider Festival.

"It's roughly the same amount of volume as a traditional six-pack, but the beer is coming straight from the keg and hasn't been sitting around for a month in a cool room or a warehouse somewhere," he says.

Twelve unique kegs can be attached to Rosie. The focus is on Sydney craft breweries like Young Henrys, Riverside, Willie the Boatman, Dennis, Shenanigans and Batch.

"We're trying to sell beers that are only available on tap, instead of in bottles," says Taylor.

The process of sanitising a growler and pressure-filling it with booze takes about two to four minutes. However there's a swap-and-go option if you want your hops in a hurry.

Any standard growler made from glass strong enough to withstand a pressurised fill can be used in Rosie. Young Henrys, Batch, or Riverside growlers are all fine to bring in for a refill at The Depot, says Taylor.

Refills start at $22 and the bottles are a one-off fee of $10.

Newtown Wine Shop, 145 King St, Newtown. Open 10am-10pm daily.