Bottles too thin?

[halfdutch]

Hi, I'm in the process of getting myself set up to make my first brew and have accumulated pretty much everything I need except bottles. I've been offered an endless supply of 500ml mineral water bottles with crown seal tops (Santa Vittoria mineral water). Nice enough bottles but I don't know if they will be strong enough.

Broad question to the beer brewing universe: Do you think they are strong enough to take one brew while I accumulate my preferred bottles? Do you think they are strong enough for repeated use? Has anyone used these bottles? Is there any way to check the strength of the bottles?

If anyone can give me some guidance I'd appreciate the input.

Cheers

[warra48]

Welcome halfdutch. I'm 100% Dutch.

I've never used the bottles, in fact, I don't even know what they look like.
However, I'd be surprised if they were designed to ever take the pressure of a fully carbonated brew.
If it was me, I'd stick to beer bottles.
You could always use PET bottles until you build up a stock of beer bottles.

Having said that, I'm open to correction by others who are familiar with the bottles and/or have used them.

[matr]

Coopers PET is the go. Cost you $30 for 2 boxes (enough for 1 batch).

Or have a hunt around for some. There's always someone giving them away. You've got at least 2 weeks to round some up.

Cheers, Mat

[billybushcook]

Try your work mates,
I work in the metal industry & about 75% of the guys stop at a bottl'O' on the way home from work to buy a largie or two.
(I hate to think what that must cost them, a 3 pack per day @ $12 a go???)

Mick.

[halfdutch]

Thanks guys. I can still get the half litre bottles anytime I want them but the more I ask the question the more I think I'll steer clear of them.

I still like the idea of 500ml bottles. Coupla sociable glasses of beer and still not too big to drink as a stubbie. I'm looking into buying some. Brewing shops are selling them but not for a reasonable price. Anybody know any bottle retailers? I've made enquiries at Plasdene in Preston. Still waiting for a response. I can get them for less than 10 cents a bottle if I get them from China but I have to buy 100,000 and the wife said she didn't think it was a good idea.

Cheers,

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
-Benjamin Franklin

[Bum]

I agree that the 500ml bottles are a pretty good size however can't say it is because I think they're a good size to swig out of. Always pour the beer out of the bottle, halfdutch. It smells/tastes better and you'll get less yeast mixed back into the brew.

[big dave]

Howdy Halfers, I am also half dutch.

I reckon I would try bottling a few mineral water bottles. If you only use a few and they go south you haven't lost much. But they may well be ok.... In which case they will be good and cheap. Just be reasonably gentle. I use mainly CUB screw-off longies which are not supposed to be re-filled, and I have never lost one, even using a hand-and-hammer bottle capper.

BD

[Oliver]

Hi all,

A couple of threads to check out in relation to sourcing bottles (including the 500ml variety):

Sourcing bottles
500ml German Style Beer Bottles?

Cheers,

Oliver