Small Business: The Original Queen City Growlers works to keep beer fresher and colder, longer
James Carlevatti moved to Charlotte three years ago to teach ceramics classes. When Carlevatti, 28, noticed the craft brewery scene was heating up in 2015, he tried creating a ceramic growler that would hold and preserve beer. After a year of trial and error, The Original Queen City Growlers opened in 2016.
“Nothing in ceramics usually goes the way you want it to,” said Carlevatti. “There’s a lot that went into the development of them, [the growlers], because I had to factor in a 13 percent shrink rate so that when I’m making those 32-ounce growlers and 64-ounce growlers, it’s shrinking down to the appropriate size for the end-product.”
According to Carlevatti, beer in one of his growlers is protected from the light and well insulated.
It will stay fresher and colder longer, he said. Each growler has a swing top lid, metal band and a ceramic top with a rubber gasket – all important to keeping a tight seal.
“You have significantly better insulation properties than glass,” said Carlevatti. “The swing top lids are one of the best ways to seal beer into a growler. I worked really hard to make sure that the lid hardware stays put to keep air out and carbonation in.”
Carlevatti said that beer in glass growlers will last about one to two days, but there is a 250 percent increase in the life of the beer in a ceramic growler.
“I’ve had beer in our growlers last over a week before,” he said.
Buy Queen City Growlers’ products online or at their shop, at local shows, pop-ups and Front Porch Sundays in South End. Classic 32-ounce growlers are $50 and 64-ounce growlers are $60. Premium growlers with an American, St. Patty’s Day or other special theme are $70-$80.
Worried about where you’ll fill your growler? Carlevatti has agreements with more than 20 breweries and establishments in the area that will fill Queen City Growlers including Crafty Beer Guys, Three Spirits Brewery and Craft Tasting Room.
Carlevatti answered CharlotteFive’s questions for the Small Business Series:
What was difficult about developing your business plan?
“Figuring out the costs. Because I come from an art background, it was a challenge to figure out how much my hard costs were going to be to create a single growler.”
How did you develop partnerships with local breweries?
“The main thing is getting to know everyone and getting out there. (I met with) some owners, bartenders or managers on staff who were responsible for purchasing growlers. I gave them information on what we do and what we are about and what the benefits are.”
Why has your business been successful?
“I didn’t let the fear of failing stop me. I think that’s one of the biggest challenges when starting your own business.”
If given the opportunity, how would you spend a $1,000 business grant?
“Put a portion toward production improvements – more growler molds and equipment to make us more efficient. Increase our inventory stock and enhance our marketing to further expose our products to the Carolina beer community.”
What goes best with beer?
“People. I come from a big family and there’s no point in having good beer unless you have good people to go with it, to share it with, to make it memorable. And a good salty pretzel with old fashioned yellow mustard.”
The Original Queen City Growlers: 3432 The Plaza
Hours: 8-10 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. It’s recommended to call ahead (585) 410-4055.
Photos: Courtesy of Queen City Growlers, Rebecca Stone Photography
Family history and my own fascination with people and their motivations prompted me to begin this series about Charlotte’s small business owners. Industry, situation and questions will vary. Have a suggestion for a small business owner or entrepreneur to interview? Email it to vanessainfanzon@gmail.com with the subject line “Small Business Series.”
This story was originally published August 27, 2017 at 9:37 PM with the headline "Small Business: The Original Queen City Growlers works to keep beer fresher and colder, longer."