A burger-and-beer night does not have to end when you leave the taproom. Can you take out craft beer? Usually, yes – but what you can bring home depends on how the brewery packages beer, what is currently available, and the alcohol rules where you are buying it.
For Colorado Springs beer drinkers, takeout beer is a simple way to keep a great local pour in the plans, whether you are picking up dinner for the family, heading to a friend’s backyard, or saving something special for game night. The best move is to order the format that suits the occasion, get it home cold, and enjoy it while it is still tasting like the brewer intended.
Can You Take Out Craft Beer From a Brewpub?
In many cases, a brewpub can sell beer to go in sealed cans, bottles, crowlers, growlers, or other approved containers. The exact options vary by brewery. A beer that is pouring fresh from the tap may be available in a crowler, while a flagship favorite might be stocked in cans for an easy grab-and-go pickup.
That does not mean every draft beer is automatically eligible for takeout. Some beers are limited releases, are best served only on draft, or may not be available for off-premise sale that day. High-demand releases can also sell through quickly. If you have your eye on a particular lager, sour, stout, or IPA, check availability before you make the trip.
Alcohol laws matter, too. Rules for to-go sales, container seals, growler fills, pickup, delivery, and open containers can change by state and local jurisdiction. A brewery follows the licensing requirements that apply to its operation, and customers must be of legal drinking age with valid identification when required. When in doubt, ask the staff what is available to take home and how it needs to be transported.
Choose the Right Takeout Format
The beer format makes a bigger difference than most people think. It affects freshness, convenience, portion size, and how long you have to enjoy it.
Cans and bottles
Cans and bottles are the easiest choice for most plans. They are sealed at packaging, travel well, and can stay fresh for a reasonable period when stored cold and away from light. Cans are especially handy for a picnic, campground meal, or a fridge stocked for visiting friends.
For hop-forward beers, fresher is generally better. That bright citrus, pine, tropical fruit, or resin character in an IPA is at its liveliest close to packaging. Maltier styles such as brown ales, porters, and many stouts may hold their character longer, though there is still no reason to let good beer linger indefinitely.
Crowlers
A crowler is a large, single-use can filled and sealed at the brewery. It is a great option when you want fresh draft beer without committing to a larger reusable container. Crowlers work especially well for trying a rotating taproom release, splitting a pour with a friend, or bringing a fresh beer to dinner.
Because the can is filled on demand, it is smart to drink it sooner rather than later. Keep it refrigerated, avoid shaking it around in the car, and plan to finish it after opening. It is not a container to open, sample, and save for next weekend.
Growlers
Growlers are refillable containers, commonly 32 or 64 ounces, filled from the draft system. They can be a solid value when everyone at home wants the same beer or when you are bringing a crowd-pleaser to a small gathering.
The trade-off is freshness and handling. A growler needs a secure cap, a cold ride home, and a place in the refrigerator. Once opened, its clock moves fast as carbonation fades and oxygen starts changing the beer. If you pick one up for a party, make it the first beer you serve rather than the last thing left in the fridge.
Not every brewery accepts every outside growler, and rules around reusable containers can vary. Bringing a clean, brewery-approved growler is always a better bet than showing up with an old container that has been sitting in a cabinet since last summer.
Match Your Beer to the Food You Ordered
Takeout beer gets even better when it is chosen with the meal in mind. You do not need formal tasting notes or a special glass collection. Start with the flavors on the table.
A crisp blonde ale, cream ale, or lager is a natural fit for salty fries, fried appetizers, lighter sandwiches, and an easy weeknight burger. Their clean finish keeps the meal feeling balanced instead of overly heavy.
An IPA brings enough bitterness and hop aroma to stand up to bold sauces, spicy toppings, smoky meats, and sharp cheese. If your order includes a smash burger with a serious crust and plenty of savory richness, a bright IPA can cut through that richness in a very satisfying way.
Darker beers play well with caramelized onions, barbecue, chocolate desserts, and anything carrying roasted or smoky flavors. A stout can feel like a meal on its own, so it may be better for a slower evening than a big spread with several different dishes.
Sours are the wildcard. Their tart, bright profile can be excellent with spicy food, fruit-forward dishes, rich cheese, or a warm patio afternoon. They are not for every palate, but they are often the beer that makes a familiar takeout order feel new.
At South Park Brewing, pairing a takeout beer with a signature smash burger is an easy place to start. Ask what is pouring fresh that day, then choose whether you want crisp and refreshing, hop-forward, dark and malty, or something pleasantly tart.
Get It Home in Good Shape
The trip from brewery to refrigerator is short, but it still counts. Heat, light, and excessive movement are not friends of fresh beer. Put your cans, crowlers, or growlers upright in the car when possible. On hot Colorado days, do not leave them in the trunk while you make three more stops.
If you are heading farther than a few minutes, an insulated bag or cooler helps. That is especially useful for delicate hop-forward beers and for growlers filled from draft. Keep the beer cold, but do not freeze it. Freezing can affect carbonation and may damage the package.
At home, store beer in the refrigerator and upright. An unopened crowler or growler should stay sealed until you are ready to pour. Once a growler is opened, enjoy it promptly. If you cannot finish it that evening, a tightly secured cap and cold storage may buy a little time, but it will not return the original carbonation or aroma.
A Few Smart Takeout Questions
Before you order, it helps to ask a few quick questions: Is this beer available in cans, a crowler, or a growler? When was it packaged or filled? Is there a purchase limit? And if you are buying for a group, which beer is most likely to please a mix of craft fans and casual drinkers?
The answer is often a balanced lineup instead of a case of one style. Pick up a crisp option for easy drinking, an IPA for hop lovers, and a darker or tart beer for the person who wants something different. It keeps the refrigerator interesting without turning a casual night into a tasting exam.
Make Takeout Beer Part of the Plan
Craft beer to go is not just a backup for nights when you cannot stay for another round. It is a way to bring a fresh local beer to your own table, your friend’s porch, or the weekend meal you have been looking forward to all week.
Order what you will actually enjoy while it is fresh, follow the brewery’s current takeout guidance, and give the beer a cold, direct ride home. Then crack the can, pour the crowler, or share the growler while the food is still warm. That is a pretty good reason to make the takeout run.