Cuvee Coffee’s Takeaway Crowlers Called Illegal by TABC

Local roaster Cuvee Coffee’s flagship cafe was told to remove its crowler machine by the TABC, as reported by Bitch Beer. Developed by Colorado’s Oskar Blues Brewery, the crowler is the single-use 32 ounce can alternative to the growler that happens to be recyclable, too. Cuvee is the only place in Austin that currently uses one.

While the coffee shop has a beer license, TABC said that it cannot sell what it deemed as manufactured cans because it is not the actual brewery that created the product, as clarified by Austin360. The agency maintained that cans are not in the same category as glass growlers, which bars are allowed to refill. Bitch Blog further explained:

Though the Cuvée team explained to the TABC representative that Crowlers don’t "re-package" beer any more than traditional growlers do with their sealed caps, the TABC maintains that there is a difference.

The coffee shop was given 30 days to remove the gadget. Owner Mike McKim told Bitch Beer that he was planning on appealing the mandate.