Shine Craft Vessel Co: Designer growlers turning heads in taprooms

The explosive growth of the craft beer, cider and mead industries has left consumers looking for ways to get the freshest, newest releases. The craft movement has led to a high variety of options with brewers testing different batches almost daily – a lot of which are only available on tap. What is a drinker to do if they want to consume the craft beverages in the comfort of their own home? Enter the growler…

A typical growler is a 64oz brown glass jug with a small handle and usually a brewery’s branding on the face. Designer Jordan Childs wasn’t content with the typical growler. He wanted a durable growler that could be used in any tap room without getting a sideways glance for having another brewery’s logo on it. One that was not only functional, but beautiful as well.

I wanted a reusable growler that had great functional and aesthetic design sensibilities. Something that would potentially outlast me and also be a source of pride to carry into a brewery or leave on the table at a dinner party.

Jordan Childs Hard at work crafting his business (Ledbury.com)

Childs, a trained designer and former LEGO employee couldn’t find what he wanted in a growler, so he started Shine Craft Vessel Co. Shine currently offers one product – the “Wander and Rumble Growler” which comes in 10 different colors. Its a beautifully simple design with elegant lines and a unique form. Each vessel is like a fine art print – right down to a tag with a hand written batch and print number.

(MORE: See the Wander and Rumble Growler with the Top 8 Unique Growlers on the Market)

The color selection is a nice, modern palette with a finish that makes them look ceramic. When asked how he picked the colors, Childs mentions ” I said, “here goes nothing” and picked the colors I wanted. My wife doesn’t even like some of the colors (although the ones she doesn’t like are the best sellers and she’s coming around).” He knew there was a chance that he would be left with a significant stock of one unpopular color, but he picked well.The entire first production run has sold out.

True to the craft identity, the growlers come carefully packaged in branded burlap bags (Ledbury.com)

Due to the wild success of the Wander and Rumble Growler, Shine is looking to expand their offering. “We’re already in development on a couple new pieces of barware that will be launching later this year- all based on the same premise; stainless steel, simple design, exciting colors and functionality above all.” Though he wants to expand and grow the product offering and business, Childs is taking it one day at a time – making smart steps along the way. “I am intentionally looking short term right now and not doing long range strategy…yet. Starting a business with the goal of becoming a sustaining, profitable and independent living right off the bat is going to drive you crazy. Our montra is that thinking small is the way to grow big.”

A beautiful array of colors (Ledbury.com)

You can tell through all aspects of the business that Childs has extremely high standards and cares a lot about his products, his customers and community. This authenticity is appreciated has for the craft community. “The response has been greater than we could have possibly imagined and that alone, makes this company a success. If we stop selling Shine Vessels tomorrow then I’d still check it off as a success because people cared.” I’m excited to see the next line of products to come out of Shine Craft Vessel Co.

Make sure you pick up their Wander and Rumble Growler on their site shinevessels.com and start wandering around your city’s tap rooms for fresh craft beverages.

UPDATE: 

Shine Craft Vessel Co. is a finalist for the $25K Ledbury Launch Fund. VOTE for them to help them win and continue to come out with killer products – Voting ends June 24. VOTE NOW >