An Open Source and Eco-Friendly Growler Carrier that can be easily assembled from a low cost kit by any beer lover!
Introduction
Please take a moment to take this survey - http://growlie.com/growlie-survey
Thanks for stopping by to check out The Growlie project. We are really excited to bring the Growlie to a community of great people like those found on KickStarter.
Please be sure to watch the video above for details about how the Growlie Project started. The Growlie project is a joint venture between cousins Jamie Meredith of Nashville, TN and Keith Rogers of St. Louis, MO. For more detailed written information about the project along with regular development updates, head over to http://growlie.com/about . If you would like to hit us up for an interview for your podcast, newszine, or blog, please contact us.
Goal of this Project
The goal of the Growlie project is to produce an economical and eco-friendly growler carrier that can be easily assembled from a low cost kit. The design of the Growlie will be released as an open source project similar to how the MAKE community has open sourced the MakerBot line of products. Funding of this project will ensure that we have the needed resources to get this initiative off of the ground.
Usage of Funding
Funds raised from this project will be used to acquire resources needed to get this project off the ground.
Reaching our goal for this project will allow us to secure equipment and materials that will assist continued development of the Growlie line of products. Examples of items that have to be purchased or acquired are: eco-friendly materials that have to be purchased in bulk in order to provide Growlie kits, molds for the bio-degradable insulation material, organic glues, finishing equipment for wood materials, an additional computer for laser cutting, a production grade laser cutter for kit development.
Current Project Status
Currently we have produced 3 prototypes, with the last prototype being a significant step forward that gives the team confidence that we will be able to deliver a usable and easily reproducible product.
Our next round of prototypes will be focused on improving the handle design for both models, addressing the fit of the lid on the Deluxe model and beginning the process of testing insulation install and fit.
Prototype Build C - The Deluxe Growlie
Prototype Build B - The Basic Growlie
Prototype Build A - Proof of Concept
Rewards
We tried really hard to make sure that there were multiple levels of rewards to support the Growlie project, as is reflected by the lengthy list to the right. Most of the rewards are pretty self explanatory, but if you have questions, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to clarify.
We have made some pretty detailed assessments of what the costs will be to produce each unit and then applied some fancy math to determine what we need above the cost of time and materials to ensure that we fund the project at the right level for continued forward movement. We expect the final retail costs to be lower than our current reward levels. This is due to the markup we applied to the cost of the goods (about 20%) to ensure that we can cover some soft costs associated with launching the project as an open source endeavor after the project is funded.
We will post photos and renderings of the various reward levels over the next several weeks to help everyone visualize what they will be receiving, but needless to say, we will make sure the rewards are handsome!
About our Team
Jamie Meredith
I am: husband, father of two, web technology geek, photographer, seeker of inspiration, open source professional, Drupal evangelist and supporter of green living .
I spend my days/nights helping clients build engaging online strategies, finding new ways to evangelize the projects I work on, as well as building solutions and products for clients and partners. Having executed planning and development on over 200 online projects, I bring a broad cross section of web and business experience to every project I work on.
In my free time, you most likely find me organizing a local user group / un-conference, spending time with my family or tinkering in the garage on my next project. I am passionate about social change, making a difference, living a life that does not suck, and helping others in the community around me. -Jamie
Keith Rogers
I’m a tinkerer, maker, science geek, and amateur machinist.
I’m also a Mechanical Engineer by degree with a day job at a large aerospace company in St Louis, MO. Unfortunately, corporate profits are found in highly specialized workforces, and so I don’t get to do a lot of comprehensive engineering work from 9 to 5... However, I definitely enjoy tinkering with a wide variety of projects at home in my basement workshop, or downtown at our local hackerspace. I’m a founding member of the Arch Reactor hackerspace here in St. Louis.
I’m also a Taig machine tool dealer. Taig Tool Company makes micro mills and lathes near Phoenix, AZ (yep, they actually manufacture them in the US!). I enjoy introducing people to home shop machining and sell the Taig products through my website, DesktopLathes.com. I’m no web designer however so please pardon my bare bones approach to online retail. If you’re in the St Louis area and would like a demo, just send me an email!
When Jamie introduced me to the growlie project, I couldn’t wait to start prototyping the first carrier. There are several local breweries in the St Louis area and I’m ready to put these prototypes through the testing phase! -Keith
FAQ
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Currently we are looking at two options. Solid wood 3/16" wood - alder, oak, cherry and walnut OR an eco-friendly laminate material made from a solid poplar core with various veneers.
10
Backers
$402
pledged of $25,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on November 30, 2011.
Funding period
Oct 21, 2011 -
Nov 30, 2011
- First created · 6 backed
- Jamie Meredith 593 friends
- Website: tmgstudio.com
Pledge $1 or more
0 backers
♻ Growlie Site Credit ♻ Your name, an image, a paragraph of text and a link of your choice will be featured on the Growlie website under the sponsor section. THIS REWARD IS INCLUDED IN ALL OTHER REWARD LEVELS BELOW.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $5 or more
0 backers
♻ Growlie Postcard ♻ You will receive via USPS a personal handwritten thank you from the Growlie team.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $11 or more
2 backers
♻ Growlie Shot Glass ♻ You will receive super cool Growlie engraved shot glass. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $5 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $16.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $17 or more
1 backer
♻ Limited Edition Growlie T-Shirt ♻ Show your GrowlieLuv with this stylish 100% cotton t-shirt. You will have your choice from 5 colors available with one of five different designs. Non-US buyers add $5 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $22.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $21 or more
0 backers
♻ Set Of Growlie Coasters W/Stand ♻ Every good beer deserves a good coaster, and this custom engraved set of four coasters is sure to show off your support. Includes a unique stand for holding coasters. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $5 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $26.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $35 or more
2 backers
♻ SWAG PACK ♻ Get all of the rewards above in one reward level. Even if you don't do beer growlers, this lets you show your support of the project. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $5 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $40.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $42 or more
0 backers
♻ Basic Growlie Kit ♻ The Basic Growlie features a simplified carrier design without a lid, a slightly shorter handle and no insulation material. Perfect for those short trips from tap to home. Available in several finishes - cherry, oak, maple, walnut. Sourced from responsibly managed forests. 100% LEED certified. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $10 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $52. Assembly required - we promise it is easy! - If you would like your Growlie delivered assembled, simply add $25 to the reward amount to cover additional production, packaging and shipping costs.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $56 or more
3 backers
♻ Deluxe Growlie Kit ♻ The Deluxe Growlie features a fully insulated interior with a snug fitting magnetic lid. Available in several finishes - cherry, oak, maple, walnut. Sourced from responsibly managed forests. 100% LEED certified. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $10 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $52. Assembly required - we promise it is easy! - If you would like your Growlie delivered assembled, simply add $25 to the reward amount to cover additional production, packaging and shipping costs.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $90 or more
1 backer Limited (49 of 50 left)
♻ BACKER PACK ♻ Get the whole enchilada with your choice of custom graphics. Deluxe Growlie Assembled Custom Engraved + Swag Pack. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $60 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $150.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $180 or more
0 backers Limited (50 of 50 left)
♻ COUPLES PACK ♻ This package is for the beer loving couples. Includes 2 Deluxe Growlies - Assembled & Custom Engraved with his and hers monikers + 2 Limited Edition Growlie T-Shirts + 2 Swag Packs. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $120 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $300.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $310 or more
0 backers Limited (25 of 25 left)
♻ FRIEND PACK ♻ This package is for those beer lovers who want join up with a few others on buying Growlies in bulk. Pretty easy to get 5 of your friends to pitch in with you. Includes 5 Deluxe Growlies - Assembled & Custom Engraved + 5 Limited Edition Growlie T-Shirts. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $300 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $610.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $560 or more
0 backers Limited (25 of 25 left)
♻ BREWERS PACK ♻ This package is for those who own some beer taps. Gift the Growlie to your loyal customers or use it as a promotional giveaways to your patrons. Includes Ten Deluxe Growlies - Assembled & Custom Engraved + 10 Limited Edition Growlie T-Shirts. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $300 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $860.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $1,600 or more
0 backers Limited (4 of 4 left)
♻ SPONSOR PACK ♻ This special package includes all of the BACKER PACK rewards plus we will engrave your choice of logo or name on the bottom of 25% of all Growlies produced for the Kickstarter project. Based on our goal amount, this will be approximately 75 units but it could be many more. This is a great opportunity for a brewery, business or beer blogger to get their name out there in the beer lovers community. US Shipping included. Non-US buyers add $25 to reward amount for shipping for a total of $1625. (see Rewards info on the left for additional details)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers Limited (4 of 4 left)
♻ MAKERS PACK ♻ Come join the Growlie team in Nashville, TN for a fun filled weekend of great music (yes, we have more than country here), great beer and time spent working in the Growlie Shop. This reward package includes Deluxe Growlie - Assembled & Custom Engraved BY YOU!! + Limited Edition Growlie T-Shirt + Swag Pack. You will travel to Nashville, TN and stay for two nights in the Music City. In addition to being a guest at the Growlie shop, you will also have the enjoyment of making your own Growlie from start to finish. Non-US buyers please note that this option is available but you will need to pledge an amount that would cover your airfare in addition to the amount of this reward. We wil take care of the rest.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
