ThorGodOfThunder

Recipes 

There are two bars fairly close to me. The first one I called to ask to save bottles told me I have to talk to the manager, but the manager is never in. The second bar I talked to told me they don't even make beer bottles with pop off caps any more. Obviously they didn't want to be bothered with it.

Before I start branching out farther, where do you guys get bottles? Most of what I drink at home has screw-off caps, so I can't use them.


Side note:
I have one 500ml wine bottle that would be perfect for my smaller batch wines. Any idea where to get more at a low price (preferably free if possible)?

zachattack

Recipes 

Change what you drink at home

Also, ask friends to start saving bottles, check out a recycling or bottle return center (some will give you the bottles for the cost of the deposit), and watch this thread:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/got-free-bottles-give-away-post-em-here-157575/

HopHoarder

Recipes 

Craigslist or any other kind of local online buy and sell website can get you some good finds.

__________________

In Secondary: Tart DarkFunkel Sour Cherry Brett Porter
In Secondary: Flanders Reds

Recently Bottled:
Mama Cass-cadian Dark Ale
Fast Freddy Flanders Sour Mash
RakaWaka IPA,
Past Noon (experimental 1210 hopped) IPA

ArcticBear

Recipes 

the packie... i empty the contents of them into my stomach, which then empties into this magical swirling porcelain bowl in my house...then i wash the bottles, fill again, cap and repeat...

all kidding aside, i've just collected most of my 12oz bottles from cases of beer i've consumed over time... i have been known to buy a few cases of bombers which i picked up at the LHBS

Belenus

Recipes 

I changed what I was drinking at home, and asked intereseted friends to save their bottles for me. I'm only using them for what can't fit in my keg, so the 100+ bottles I have so far will be plenty for me. I've also heard of people checking the recycling bins in the neighborhood. The guy who got me started in Homebrewing says he gets his kid to go around and look for the good bottles. ;-)

kblankenship11

Recipes 

Buy a couple cases of something. Drink it. Brew. Give away a few 6 packs to friends that drink and mention that you need pop top bottles. Friends will return the free-beer favor and give you their used bottles. The circle of beer economics

I laugh when I get "bottle deliveries" on my porch from friends. All I do is clean and sanitize them. Now I have a couple hundred bottles in circulation between friends and family that are de-labeled and easy to clean.

andycr

Recipes 

Watch on Craigslist. Pretty regularly there's a good deal in my area on empties, even delabeled ones. Last time I picked up a few cases for less than $4/case.

__________________
Primary: Wayward Pines Pale Ale
Kegged: Black Pearl Porter
Bottled: The Sunken Norwegian, Cream Ale, Murphy's Law, Waystone Inn Ale
Next up: Murphy's Law

AMonkey

Recipes 

I started watching deals at the liquor store and bought pry offs that were on sale. Allowed me to try a bunch of different beers that I might not have picked up as well. Also, might be worth checking with some liquor stores. One by me sells old cases of the returnable bottles for $1 a case.

jungatheart

Recipes 

I do it the same way I do everything: Ask everyone you talk to about bottles. You will be amazed.

HopHoarder

Recipes 

Most of my bottles (over 400 in various sizes) come from my having kept what I bought over the past 8 years. The 1 exception was a great deal I got on Craigslist where I got 11 cases of stubbies for 20.00

__________________

In Secondary: Tart DarkFunkel Sour Cherry Brett Porter
In Secondary: Flanders Reds

Recently Bottled:
Mama Cass-cadian Dark Ale
Fast Freddy Flanders Sour Mash
RakaWaka IPA,
Past Noon (experimental 1210 hopped) IPA