Bottle bottoms melted

[Aleik]

A potentially unusual problem...

Over the hot period this summer I only had garage space to condition beer. We went away, and returned to these plastic bottles which were a little stuck to the cupboard shelf and gooey on the bottom. I assumed a bottle had exploded, but I'd hardly carbonated, and on closer examination they were all otherwise as they should be.

I can only guess the cupboard shelf itself was so hot that the bottoms melted a little.

No damage to the beer brewed thankfully. I tend to carbonate conservatively, but is this now a significant weak point in these bottles, and might they now explode, especially if carbonated lots? Cheers.

 

[Aleik]

I do have an image but can't upload, hah.

 

[cushyno]

Sounds quite similar to the symptoms in this mystery: https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/amazing-vanishing-beer.78479/

 

[GerritT]

It's plastic, so I wouldn't expect an explosion. But a leak is more possible now. How much bottles are we talking about? Maybe worth switching them slowly to fliptops?

 

[Clint]

Had anything else stored in the cupboard previously? Sounds like a chemical reaction...I work with lots of different solvents and even small amounts left can destroy things. Not all readily evaporate.

 

[Aleik]

Thanks for the replies. We're talking upwards of 40 bottles. It's a Cooper's European lager, nothing I'm extraordinarily protective about - more bothered about future brews, but at the same time I hate wasting (plastic, in particular) by throwing away.

I like the theory of something corrosive on the shelf. The surface, inside a shady cupboard, being too hot is maybe a little far-fetched. The substance remaining won't wash off, which makes me think it's almost certainly melted/corroded plastic and nothing else.

I was trying to think of whether there'd be a plastic build-up in those particular spots, when they were made, but necessarily so as any bits that jut out are already a natural weak point.

May just have to chuck once I've drunk the lager.

 

[GerritT]

Have you tasted it? Because it seems very sugary.

 

[Clint]

Don't taste it...try washing it off in water. If it washes it could be a sugar,salt,crystal deposit of some sort. If the plastic is melted or corroded it will stay the same.

 

[Aleik]

Yeah like I say it won't wash off, stuck fast. Weird scenario!

 

[GerritT]

Don't taste it...try washing it off in water. If it washes it could be a sugar,salt,crystal deposit of some sort. If the plastic is melted or corroded it will stay the same.

Ow you spoilsport! I almost had him lick his bottles bottoms!

 

[Aleik]

Ow you spoilsport! I almost had him lick his bottles bottoms!

Hah. Not for the first time...depends how long I've been sober