Ring around the bottle top

I've got a case of empties that I rinsed out a while back, but I've noticed they all have rings around the inside. Some seem to have a little residue all over the inside. Does this mean the previous beer was infected? Should I not reuse these bottles? TIA guys,

monk

i would not use, does not mean previous infection, but no go

An overnight soak in oxyclean followed by a bottle brush will take care of it.

Sanaitize and bottle as usual with no worries.

Agree...they need an overnight soak on Oxiclean or some bleach water and need to be scrubbed, rinsed, re-rinsed then sanitized prior to use.

I use a bottle brush in my drill for this purpose.

Alright, that's what I like to hear. I've got them soaking in some bleach water tonight, and I'll make sure to give them a nice brushing. Thanks for the info, guys!

You're welcome.

FYI...neck rings are not only caused by bacteria. They can also come from hop oils and anything else floating in the brew at bottling time.

Yeah scrub those mothers out. I've bottled a batch that I neglected to do so in. None of the bottles carbonated and some grew some awesome black mold in the bottoms...

Lesson learned. I oxy -> hot water -> sanitizer and hang dry every bottle i use nowadays.

Cool. I soaked them over night and gave them a quick hit with the bottle brush today...clear as a bell. Incidentally, Charlie P gives the same advice in Joy of HBing...soak in bleachy water overnight. I bought a little tub today for $5 and think I'll put my bottles in there, as I empty them. That way they'll always be ready to go.

HB99, thanks for the FYI...I was wondering about this myself, cuz I know those beers couldn't have been too infected. They tasted fine, after all.

You're welcome.

If you rinse out your bottles a couple of times right after emptying them you really don't need to do much more.

I pour hot water in them (about 1/2 way at most) and give a shake or two, pour, add more water, shake again, pour out, check for rings.

If it has a ring it goes in box/tree 1. They get a soak and a brushing.

If not, they're clean. Simple. When I go to fill them all I do is sanitize them.

Get yourself a bottle tree. I have 2 of them.