Bottles: Is Bigger Better?

McCall St. Brewer · 02-02-2006, 05:12 PM

I'm planning to buy some more bottles this weekend. Until now I have been bottling exclusively with 12oz. bottles. This has been fine, although I have to admit that it has been very seldom that I have cracked open a homebrew and had just one. I am wondering whether I should consider getting some larger bottles. Advantages seem to include fewer bottles to wash, sanitize and fill on bottling day.

Still, to me, it has always seemed that beer is "supposed" to come in 12oz. brown bottles. What do you all think about this?

uglygoat · 02-02-2006, 05:17 PM

i prefer the 16oz swing tops... no hassle with a bottle capper, and most of my glasses are 16 oz.

i like the 22oz bottles as well...

but i've noticed, the larger bottles promote more drunkeness in me than the 12ozers. even though it's 22 or 32 oz, i still find myself opening another.

bigger is better when you are pouring a few for some friends, but when it's just me i like to stick to the 12oz.

i also find when in 12 oz bottles, my batches last longer

El Pistolero · 02-02-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmditter

Still, to me, it has always seemed that beer is "supposed" to come in 12oz. brown bottles. What do you all think about this?

Actually, beer is supposed to come in pints...the 12 oz bottle is just another sign of the rapid decline of western civilazation.

**Walker** · 02-02-2006, 05:18 PM

I feel beer should come in 0.5L (~16oz) bottles as a minimum. 12 oz usually leaves me wanting more, but not necessarily another 12 oz.

I have a lot of 12 oz bottles, and I use them often, but I really prefer the 16oz to 22oz sizes best. You can buy the 16 oz size at the LHBS with flip-tops. They will probably also sell 22 oz crown cap bottles. For sizes in between, you can buy and re-use the big bottles of beer from grocery stores (guinness, bass, sammy smith, etc). Those are often between 18 and 20 oz in size.

-walker

SteveM · 02-02-2006, 05:24 PM

One factor to consider is mug size. I have only one that easily accomodates 16 ounces including a couple of fingers of head. This need not be a factor if you pour into a pitcher (but who can be bothered with that?).

**Baron von BeeGee** · 02-02-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmditter

Advantages seem to include fewer bottles to wash, sanitize and fill on bottling day.

You've answered your own question, grasshoppah.

Shmohel · 02-02-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Pistolero

Actually, beer is supposed to come in pints...the 12 oz bottle is just another sign of the rapid decline of western civilazation.

American pints or English?

**Chairman Cheyco** · 02-02-2006, 07:32 PM

I realize I'll be leaving myself open to flamery but, I use plastic (gasp) bottles. I usually do three or four 1l and the rest in 500ml. That way I always have a couple big ones to grab in case I'm going somewhere that might be serving swill, er, storebought.
I also agree that the pint is the perfect size. Most beers in Europe are still bottled in 500ml. I wonder if going to 12oz bottles in NA is the beginning of the planet of the apes?

Damn you! You blew it up!!!!

**Pumbaa** · 02-02-2006, 07:36 PM

I think Ihave about a dozen cases of 12oz'ers myself and as soon as I can afford it I'll be moving over to pints, just for all the reasons you listed.

If God would have wanted you to drink beer 12oz's at a time he would have given that mesurment a name. I dont wanna piss off God, so give me a pint.

Wonder if I could use that argument at all the Church Festivles in the summer around here? Gotta love drinking for Jesus

Truble · 02-02-2006, 07:40 PM

I do 12 ,5L and 1L bottles. the 12s are great for when you just want a beer, or want to have different types in one session. The litres are good if you know that you are going to have a couple..my Glass gets 3 fills from a litre. the ,5L litres I think are the best, as they balance the "right amount of beer" and "less bottle washing" equation. If you just want one, then they are ok, as they are only ~1/3 bigger than the 12s, and yet it is enough to get out in 1 pour in most cases. My last batch, I made a mistake and filled 12 litre bottles. That is all I have left, and if I want just one, it'll spoil. Next time, only a couple of Each batch in litres.