homebrewandbeer.com

At this stage I am bottling my brews in stubbies, (375ml bottles). So far I have used screw tops with success but am thinking of moving to crown seals. What type of bottles are best? I have heard that Crown Lager bottles are the go but like the shape of the James Squire stubbies. I bulk prime so the size of the bottles do not matter. What do others use or suggest?

Thanks
Steve

i use the squires bottles.. theyre great. nice thick glass. could be a little bigger tho.

Boag's bottles are crown seal, although they're only 355ml or some rip-off quantity.

Crown Lager bottles are good, but only if you can get empty ones. Otherwise you'll have to drink a heap of Crown Lager.

To paraphrase Geoff (who was actually talking about Bud): The only thing worse than having to wait for a Crown Lager is not having to wait for a Crown Lager.

Awful stuff indeed.

Cheers,

Oliver

Sorry Oliver but Boags have changed to 375ml twist top in their entire range. If you've had a 355ml recently it's more than a year old!

Is there much difference between screw top and crown seal? I know crown seals are a bit more hardy to accidental knocks but I've bumped my screw tops before and never had a problem.

Marty

Bugger. Don't drink the stuff, so hadn't noticed.

Sounds like some kind of Twighlight Zone thing though: a brewery actually increasing the size of their bottles!

Oliver

Bundaberg Ginger Beer has a classic stubby with a roll top. A more storage efficent shape than the Crownie too.

Greg.

Guys,

I found the 500 ml bottles a better deal than to 300-400 range. THey seem to come up a bit short, no pun intended but will take it.

Dogger

Dont know which as I keg.When stubbies needed for trade/barter etc,I use the old XXXX twist top. They seal OK , no sediment from the keg, but I reckon leave them standing in case of lid knock.If I'm heading out in the paddock etc for a bit I just fill a few 600 mil coke bottles,screw em tight,ice em and go for it.This is, however not a storage method,as you will know.The 600's travel well though and best of all,if you drop him,you still got him.

I frequently use XXXX and Carlton-midstrength screw top bottles. as long as you have a bench capper, there's nothing to worry about. With hand cappers, I think you tend to break bottles, although I never tried it, something about beer and hitting glass things with a hammer doesnt seem right to me.

I have a two levered capper, never broke a bottle with it, never lost a seal. 15 years old, still works awesome. So do the Grolsch mind you. And the vintage Canadian 24 stubbies I have.

Do you think you folks may be hard on your kit....... Just a thought

Dogger

Greg,
I have just got my hands one of the Bundaberg Gingerbeer stubbies. Really looks like a great option. Any suggestions on sourcing about 200 of them?
Thanks
Steve

I ran up my supply of bundy ginger beer bottles by drinking a heap, it is rather nice.

My other tips would be:

Check neighbors recycle bins, and roadsides where empties are chucked.

If you are catering officer for any sporting clubs (guess why I volunteered...) you can get a supply that way too.

Why go away from screw tops, they were invented to make life easier. i havven't had a problem with them, except sometimes a grain of sugar gets caught under the seal.

GregB if you are catering offeicer I am sure your club would like a "special" purcahse of Grolsch!

the hahn premium stubbies seem to be fine good thick glass

One of the joys of homebrewing is drinking the beer in the bottles you bought so you could bottle your brew. I reckon my beer consumption jumped considerably when I started brewing.

Use mostly malt shovel bottles and Hahn premium stubbies (longnecks look good but never used them). Prefer crown seals, but that's just me.

Big rubbish days are a good opportunity to wander the neighbourhood gathering not only empty discarded longnecks but the milk crates to carry them in...

Dawgwaterer

Sisters boyfriend drinks redback and im pretty sure they have a crown seal but not sure how many mls.

Have been using coopers pale ale bottles and havent had a problem yet.

i find the bundaberg ginger beer 750ml bottles with plastic screw on tops are great. nice think glass and you just get new lids every now and again.
Also hunter brewing in mayfield newcastle sell second hand crown sell long necks for 50 cents each and they have heaps in stock. 100 bottles for $50 should keep the fermenter busy for a while.

I have collected my 300+ Bundaberg Gingerbeer stubbies. Discovered a great source of empties. Bowls Clubs. It appears that gingerbeer is a popular drink at bowls clubs.

I love telling Oliver that I don't mind the taste of Crown lager.

"de gustibus non est disputandum"

The bottles are good for home brewing and they have the cardboard joblies that hold six so you can stick a couple of those in the fridge for a quiet drink.
I am still of the opinion that although convenient, the beer doesn't seem to taste as good out of the plastic bottles.
Still use 'em though but will never,ever use carbonation drops again.
The Concordia German Club has relocated to the old bowlo behind Tempe station and is now the closest watering hole to work.
The bloke behind the jump offered to give me 500ml bottles whenever I want.Havn't picked any up yet as I usually leg it to work.
They must be DAB or something.
Only hassle would be that my drinking vessels are 600ml and that may not leave enough room for head in one pour.
Bugger it I suppose I could pour and then take the top off and then fill up again.
Sacrifices,sacrifices!!!!!!!!

I always wondered what those cardboard things were called, Joblies, right on

Semper en caca

Dogger