The Quick Answer
A 32 oz growler holds about 2 and a half 12 oz beers, a 64 oz growler holds about 5, and a 128 oz growler holds close to 11. In pint terms: 2 pints, 4 pints, and 8 pints. The right size comes down to how many people are drinking and how fast - not just how big you want to go.
We build all three sizes in insulated stainless steel, so this is the exact math our own customers are working with when they pick a size.
The quick math, by size
| Growler size | 12 oz cans / bottles | 16 oz pints | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 oz | about 2.5 | 2 pints | One person, a day or two |
| 64 oz | about 5.3 | 4 pints | One person over a few days, or 2-3 people in one sitting |
| 128 oz | about 10.7 | 8 pints | A group, a tailgate, or a party |
The math: a US gallon is 128 fl oz, a standard can or bottle is 12 fl oz, and a pint is 16 fl oz. Divide the growler's size by either number and round down to what you'd actually pour without spilling the last inch.
What if you're pouring pints instead of cans
Most people don't drink beer in exact 12 oz servings once it's out of the can - a pour into an actual pint glass is the more honest way to think about "how many drinks is this." By that math, a 64 oz growler is a clean 4 pints, and a 128 oz is a full 8-pint round. That's the number to use if you're planning how many friends a growler run can cover.
Does the size change how long it stays cold
Yes, a little, but less than you'd think. Our Craft growlers are rated to keep drinks cold for 45+ hours regardless of size - the insulation does the same job whether it's holding 32 oz or 128 oz. What size actually changes is how much air ends up in the growler as you drink it down, and more air means the beer inside goes flat faster. That's the real argument for sizing down rather than always grabbing the biggest one: less empty space, less time the last few ounces spend flat.
Which size should you actually buy
- Drinking alone, or want something that packs small - the 32 oz Craft Growler is the easiest one to grab and go, and it's the size most people should default to if they're not sure.
- A couple people, or you want it to last a few days without going flat - the 64 oz Craft Growler is the best-reviewed size in the lineup.
- A group, a tailgate, or you just don't want to make two trips - the 128 oz Craft Growler is the one that covers an actual party.
All three live in the Growlers collection if you want to compare them side by side before deciding.
What we see in the reviews
- The 32 oz size gets called out specifically as a solo size. "This is a really good personal growler, a drink for 1," one 5-star Amazon reviewer wrote. "I would recommend getting a larger size if you want a growler to share among people" - which is exactly the size logic above, from someone who actually owns one.
- People do buy multiple sizes rather than one "do everything" growler. "I'm thinking of getting two more so can get different flavors," one reviewer wrote about their 32 oz - splitting by beer, not just by size.
- The insulation claim holds up in real use, at any size. "Keeps cold or hot for hours anywhere," one reviewer wrote, and another separately confirmed carbonation holding "to 3 days so far" once opened.
FAQ
How many 12 oz beers fit in a 64 oz growler?
About 5 - a 64 oz growler holds roughly 5.3 standard 12 oz cans or bottles worth of beer.
How many people does a 64 oz growler serve?
Comfortably 2 to 3 people in one sitting, at a standard pour, or one person over a couple of days.
Is a 128 oz growler too big for one person?
For daily use, usually - it's built for groups or longer gatherings. A 32 oz or 64 oz is the better default if it's mostly for you.
How many pints are in a growler?
A 32 oz growler holds 2 pints, a 64 oz holds 4 pints, and a 128 oz holds 8 pints.
Does a bigger growler go flat faster once opened?
A little, yes - more empty space as you drink it down means more air in contact with what's left, so the last few ounces of a 128 oz will go flat sooner than the last few ounces of a 32 oz.
What's the most popular growler size?
64 oz is the most common size across the industry and the best-reviewed size in our own lineup - it's the middle ground between "just for me" and "built for a group."
Ready to pick your size
Every size lives in the Growlers collection - compare the 32 oz, 64 oz and 128 oz side by side, or jump straight to whichever one matches how many people you're actually pouring for.
Written by Nicholas Hill, Founder & CEO of DrinkTanks. Nicholas founded DrinkTanks in Bend, Oregon in 2013 and has spent 13 years building the growler and personal keg category from the ground up.