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You are here: Home --> Forum Home --> Brewing Forum --> Gear/Equipment --> Brew-Tek DrinkFresh Growlers - PSA

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mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


I am sitting here pecking out this message because I just had the lid from one of these Brew-Tek DrinkFresh growlers explode. It over pressured when I used a CO2 cartridge as described... the inner lid blew out, nearly taking off an index finger and shooting shrapnel through my thumb and nail. Worst, I bled profusely into what little beer was left in there... still a bit in shock!

www.brew-tek.com/products/growlers/

Starting to see these around at the local breweries - please beware.




Posted 34 days ago.

vinpaysdoc
Charter Member
High Point, NC
321 Posts


Sorry to hear it Matt. I would definitely let the company know. Hope you heal quickly.





Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Ouch.



Posted 34 days ago.

uberg33k
Charter Member
The Internet
314 Posts


Are you OK? Did this require a visit to the doctor? Did it require a new pair of underwear?



Posted 34 days ago.

mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


ROFL...

I was a first responder about 25 years ago - pretty solid with stuff like this...

That said - that was some serious thumb blood (Big Bang Theory - one of my fav episodes). Forgot about the adrenaline shock and coming down from that got me very shaky and queasy. Decided to have a beer while I was coming down - and found that poor pils was pink... so down the drain it went.

Yeah. Ok. Didn't go to the clinic, but may need a doc visit to deal with the split nail. That is the worst part. Took the very tip of my thumb clean off, probably should have had that stitched, but a little superglue works as well and no deductible. The nail was split about a 1/4 inch into the quick. The index finger is still swollen, but the shredded skin is already healing.

Fortunately I am good friends with the brewers where I got the growler - they are pulling them off the shelves. I contacted Brew-tek but no response. I suspect I will get a call from a lawyer.




Posted 34 days ago.

vinpaysdoc
Charter Member
High Point, NC
321 Posts


Just make sure that the injury didn't make it to the bone. You'll need that thumb to brew with! Osteomyelitis of the finger is hard to treat effectively. If there is ANY doubt, get thee to a doctor today.



Posted 34 days ago.

mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


I probed the cut on the thumb pretty deeply. Seen plenty of to-the-bone wounds... I have fat fingers I guess... deep enough to have to trim some fatty tissue that leaked through, but otherwise I am good.

Thrilled that I have good motion in the index finger. The deep abrasions came across the middle joint - it was swollen useless and i was worried about possible fracture or cartilage damage. Seems ok - just bleeds a bit when I bend it - otherwise going to lose some tissue while it heals... just a shredded line there. The bruising in minimal otherwise.




Posted 34 days ago.
Edited 34 days ago by mchrispen

Matt
Charter Member
Normal, IL
341 Posts


Woah, oh man. I'm glad you're ok Matt, that sounds crazy



Posted 34 days ago.

chino_brews
Charter Member
Eden Prairie, MN
301 Posts


That sucks. Hope you heal quickly!




Posted 34 days ago.

blur_yo_face
Houston, Tx
161 Posts


ouch! sorry to hear, but thanks for the info..



Posted 34 days ago.

mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


So, the company has contacted me. I took the growler back to the brewpub (The ABGB - if you are ever here - go! Amazing brewers) and had a discussion. They are good friends - so it didn't get weird.

Discussed what happened in detail - and they are going to get back to me about what may have been the cause. Suspicion is something with the gasket that is designed to burst when the pressure reaches 40 PSI... which still scares me.

Wounds are healing nicely and I am a bit embarrassed that I made a big deal of it - the divot in my thumb has closed over and a hard trim of the nail got most of the split taken care of. Amazing what a few days healing can do!

Now to go juggle chainsaws! :)




Posted 34 days ago.

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