Funny thing I noticed about beer bottles...

[moto748]

As I recently realised that it's a handy idea to have at least one or two clear beer bottles in a batch of beer (well, duh!), I've been trying to buy clear glass bottles in the shops. But most supermarket beer I generally buy is in brown bottles. And looking at the minority of beers that are sold in clear bottles, the majority of them (Spitfire, Doom Bar, etc) have that type of bottle that doesn't have the big 'collar' under the lip. I *can* use these, but they have to be hammered on with a hand-tool, my over-centre type crowntop tool won't touch them. The Rev James appears to be a welcome exception to this rule, as is Newkie Brown, but I'm not buying that muck!

I wonder why this is?

 

[The Baron]

Hi Moto bench crown capper will do these bottles and the awkward HobGoblin ones too but that would mean buying one. Off the top of my head I can not think of a clear bottle in the normal style that is readily available but somebody will no doubt prove me wrong very shortly

 

[samale]

Sainsbury's online Grocery Shopping and Fresh Food Delivery

They use a clear bottle and it's not a bad drink

 

[samale]

Taste the difference London porter

 

[moto748]

The London porter looks to be the less satisfactory shape as far as I can see. As I said, Rev James works.

https://ecom-su-static-prod.wtrecom.com/images/products/11/LN_404793_BP_11.jpg
I don't find Hobgoblin bottles 'difficult'; they are my stock bottle!

 

[labrewski]

Try green bottles? They are fairly good to spot clarity or bits floating

 

[Nicks90]

Old speckled hen bottles are good as well and the beer ain't bad either!

 

[Tanglefoot]

I bought a case of 48 each clear and brown 500ml from Brew2bottle a while back, very reasonable price.
Now I always use at least a few clear ones in each batch so I can admire my lovely ale and a few PETs to check carbonation.

 

[dad_of_jon]

As I recently realised that it's a handy idea to have at least one or two clear beer bottles in a batch of beer (well, duh!), I've been trying to buy clear glass bottles in the shops. But most supermarket beer I generally buy is in brown bottles. And looking at the minority of beers that are sold in clear bottles, the majority of them (Spitfire, Doom Bar, etc) have that type of bottle that doesn't have the big 'collar' under the lip. I *can* use these, but they have to be hammered on with a hand-tool, my over-centre type crowntop tool won't touch them. The Rev James appears to be a welcome exception to this rule, as is Newkie Brown, but I'm not buying that muck!

I wonder why this is?

or you could use a plastic pet bottle which will also serve as a carbonation tester. One that's had fizzy water in it

 

[phildo79]

Six pack of miller for a fiver.

 

[Jim Brewster]

Badger do a few in clear bottles

 

[moto748]

I'm aware clear beer bottles are available, and also that a PET bottle could be used. I was more remarking on the rarity of clear bottles having the deep collar. Old Speckled Hen, as mentioned upthread, likewise does not. It seems 'most' brown bottles are deep-collar, and 'most' clear bottles are not. I just wondered why.

 

[danmac]

I bought a case of 48 each clear and brown 500ml from Brew2bottle a while back, very reasonable price.
Now I always use at least a few clear ones in each batch so I can admire my lovely ale and a few PETs to check carbonation.

I love brew2bottle but 10 days for delivery is making me think twice now

 

[pilgrimhudd]

I'm aware clear beer bottles are available, and also that a PET bottle could be used. I was more remarking on the rarity of clear bottles having the deep collar. Old Speckled Hen, as mentioned upthread, likewise does not. It seems 'most' brown bottles are deep-collar, and 'most' clear bottles are not. I just wondered why.

Yes, I only just noticed this after my old capper broke, the new one wouldn't cap many of the clear ones I had which was irritating. I went out and bought a bench capper so they weren't wasted.

 

[An Ankoù]

Cider often comes in clear bottles.

 

[phildo79]

Well it's a good job it isn't the other way around. Come to think of it, I am not sure if I have ever seen a green bottle with a deep collar.

 

[thegrantickle]

Lots of good suggestions above. Most cider bottles are usually clear also.

 

[moto748]

Well it's a good job it isn't the other way around. Come to think of it, I am not sure if I have ever seen a green bottle with a deep collar.

You're right! I have two or three green bottles that I've hung onto cos they're pretty, but invariably they don't have the deep collar either.

For me it's no great hardship to get the hand tool out for just one bottle per batch, It is strange, though. And in the meantime I can collect few more Rev James. not a bad pint at all, available at Lidl.

It's also fair to say that not everyone has, or even wants, a bench to fix a bench capper to. My capper works well on 90% of bottles. For the rest, I have hand tool.

it just made me smile in the supermarket when i realised that, in looking at a Rev James and a Doom Bar, say, I was actually deciding on which to buy on the basis of the bottle shape!

 

[phildo79]

We've all been there. Buying beers we might not usually buy because we want the bottle. I went through a phase of buying 660ml bottles in an effort to speed up the bottling process. More hassle than they are worth.

 

[Ezza]

Aldi sell a Golden Ale in clear bottles.