Tim Carlburg | Carlburg Pottery

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Largely a self-taught potter, Tim Carlburg holds a BS in K-12 Art Education. He has built, owned and operated Carlburg Pottery (a Veteran Owned Business) since 2008 in Kalispell, MT. Focusing his attention on the micro brewing industry for the past four years, Carlburg has sold growlers to micro breweries and bars around the world and has made countless one-of-a-kind growlers for home brewers and micro brew aficionados alike. Recent endeavors include producing work oriented for local and national Distilleries; as well as the exploration of more politically charged artwork.

One of Tim’s Growlers

Traditional American pottery was often not fancy, nor pretty; it was functional and served a very specific purpose as a cooking, drinking, or storage vessel. Use of this pottery was centered upon the communal acts of cooking, eating, or sharing a drink. It was from this perspective that I created my first growler; a half-gallon beer jug that is based loosely upon traditional moonshine jugs. The sense of community, friendship and camaraderie that can be formed and shared over such a communal vessel was paramount to the thought behind it and it is my intention that the growler play a role during that special time of sharing. Made to be used, they will eventually take on marks of wear; a proud patina that is a direct reflection of where they have been and how they have served.