Are Glass Bottles Going Bye-Bye?

[rayr87]

I went on a brewery tour this summer where they strictly can. They claimed along with the cans being cheaper to ship and recyclable, they use cans because they don't have to worry about light. And its easier to purge a can than a bottle. Because the walls of the can aren't curved there is less turbulence and allows them to be sure that its all co2.

 

[seefish]

Not necessarily true that cans are cheaper. There are only like 2 companies in the US that produce aluminum cans for beer. To order printed aluminum cans you have to buy a LOT, like close to 100k, which is a problem for small breweries. Both due to the upfront cost and the space they take up. So no, cans will not be overtaking glass any time soon in the US.

 

[broadbill]

Yeah cans are certainly being pushed heavy as though they are actually superior to bottles in every single possible way.

I think they are becoming popular as they are superior to bottles in every single way!

 

[broadbill]

Not necessarily true that cans are cheaper. There are only like 2 companies in the US that produce aluminum cans for beer. To order printed aluminum cans you have to buy a LOT, like close to 100k, which is a problem for small breweries. Both due to the upfront cost and the space they take up. So no, cans will not be overtaking glass any time soon in the US.

I know this used to be the case, I'm not sure it is anymore...like I said, we have several breweries around us that are canning and they are all doing small runs of different beers, all in different cans. Granted, their printing is all different (I brewery has print right on the can, another appears to be using a printed shrink wrap, another is slapping a adhesive label).

My point is several options exist, and they are all small breweries, doing small runs.

 

[Bobbybob]

Here in Arizona the crazy bright sun makes it almost a necessity to can beer instead of bottling. My favorite micro here, four peaks, cans sunbru, peach, hopknot, kiltlifter and I think i've had 8th street ale in cans as well. It seems to me that micro brews should be especially careful to make sure their beer doesn't get skunked. Lumberyard cans everything. Santan brewery cans everything they make I think. I really prefer cans over bottles. You can't take bottles on the salt river. Arizona is a great place with a different way of doing things than other places. interestingly, these differences often translate to other parts of the country just because over time our harsh environment ends up being pertinent over time to other places.

Love the salt river but in some places it is more can than riverbed.

 

[seefish]

I know this used to be the case, I'm not sure it is anymore...like I said, we have several breweries around us that are canning and they are all doing small runs of different beers, all in different cans. Granted, their printing is all different (I brewery has print right on the can, another appears to be using a printed shrink wrap, another is slapping a adhesive label).

My point is several options exist, and they are all small breweries, doing small runs.

This article doesn't provide much as far as actual numbers, but it is recent.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/mergerm...r-trouble-was-already-brewing-for-craft-beer/

I would assume/hope though, as you mentioned, there are other options and this may only apply to pre-printed cans.

 

[orangehero]

I think they are becoming popular as they are superior to bottles in every single way!

Yeah the more you repeat anything the more true it gets. Maybe they're better in some ways. They're probably sometimes cheaper. They feel cheaper always. It's not cheaper on the shelf, though. I prefer the aesthetics and feel of a bottle in all ways. Also I don't like having to wash the top of the cans before it's possible to open it without getting all kinds of filth into the beer.

 

[Zuljin]

They used to reuse soda bottles. I remember getting a coke out of a vending machine, it was always fun to get an older style bottle. [dating myself]

I bottle, and am always hoarding new ones when we buy the good stuff. I find that I am making more - I have 15 gallons of cider that will need bottling eventually, and much of that will be carbed in the bottle. Unless hubby gets me a keg setup for Xmas!

All bottles are not the same, that's the truth. The bottles I got years ago with my first kit were good enough. I'm sure some are holding beer right now. But there are some much better bottles out there. New Belgium, Pete's, Widmer and Miller Fortune (yeah, yeah) are pretty heavy duty.

And something I never noticed before brewing was how out of round some bottles are. They're all wavy and bumpy, and not really round at all.

 

[BrewSavage]

I thought the can craze started 10-15 years ago with the 20 somethings drinking cheap cans of legacy brands like PBR, Natty Boh', etc. The early adapters claiming to do it ironically and then the sheep following.

Turn the clock ahead and now the current generation of 20-somethings associate bottles with an older generation.

In 5-10 years the 20 somethings (clean shaven) will be drinking out of bottles, to be ironic and drinking out of cans is something their dads did. Sheep to follow.

 

[Newsman]

A few weeks ago, @Homercidal and I were at a local brewpub and saw something that was new to me - they will can any of their beers on tap for you, right there on the spot. They fill a 32 oz. can without a top, just as you do a growler, then have a machine that attaches the top. It was very cool. http://www.dryhopchicago.com/growler/

There's a place in Chattanooga, TN that does that too.

 

[Newsman]

Speaking of canning, would it be OK to reuse the screw-top aluminum "bottles"? How many times do you guys think it would be possible to reuse, if it would be OK?

 

[MaxStout]

Speaking of canning, would it be OK to reuse the screw-top aluminum "bottles"? How many times do you guys think it would be possible to reuse, if it would be OK?

I suppose it's no different than using any other screwtop bottles, such as PET bottles. With the added bonus of no light getting in. You'd probably want to replace the caps to ensure an airtight seal.

Edit: I think some of them have tops like twist-off glass bottles. You would have a risk of not getting a crown cap to seal well, plus the risk of crushing the bottle from too much force from the capper. Have you tried using any?

 

[Rev2010]

I'm all for cans and prefer them personally overall. Reasons:

1) Leads to a much lighter, and less full, recycle bin! Glass is heavy. Also hate how loud it is dumping from my kitchen bin into the outside bin.
1a) as a result is better for the environment since it uses less fuel in shipping
1b) should lead to a lower cost as a result but I haven't checked prices to confirm or refute this
2) Keeps light out the best
3) If I drop it, which is extremely rare but has happened, I don't have to worry about cleaning up glass or later stepping on a tiny splinter I missed - it's happened

Rinsing off the can top takes two seconds and doesn't bother me, plus some companies use plastic toppers that prevent dirt and such. Only thing I wish is that more companies would start offering larger than 12oz servings in cans. Most beer I see in cans is still 12oz size only. Would be awesome to have more 16oz pints or 24oz cans etc.


Rev.

 

[slym2none]

Speaking of canning, would it be OK to reuse the screw-top aluminum "bottles"? How many times do you guys think it would be possible to reuse, if it would be OK?

I am 50/50 using those. No bueno, IMHO.

 

[Newsman]

I suppose it's no different than using any other screwtop bottles, such as PET bottles. With the added bonus of no light getting in. You'd probably want to replace the caps to ensure an airtight seal.

Edit: I think some of them have tops like twist-off glass bottles. You would have a risk of not getting a crown cap to seal well, plus the risk of crushing the bottle from too much force from the capper. Have you tried using any?

The ones I'm thinking of (BMC) have larger tops than a regular bottle. More about the size of a quarter (American)

 

[KappinSpaulding]

There's a place in Chattanooga, TN that does that too.

Hutton & Smith Brewing

 

[Grond]

I've bottled in the aluminum bottles. Works great for camping with homebrew. I'm pretty sure I capped with my lever capper not my wing.

I know this is an old post, but I REALLY want to start bottling in the aluminum bottles...I just can't find a source for them (other than getting them when people recycle them). Anyone have a source for the 16oz aluminum bottles with the screw tops?