Beginner bottling question

[tritch]

I currently have my 1st batch in my fermenter and it still has another few weeks before I bottle it but I was wondering if after bottling the beer needs to be standing up or if it could be laying down. I don't have the cases from the beer and have been storing the empty bottles (after cleaning them) in a drawer and wanted to know if I can put the full ones in there to condition. I don't want any bottle bombs and could find somewhere to keep the bottles upright and protected but in the drawer is the most convenient for now.

Sorry for rambling a little there but I am just so excited to be making my own beer!

 

[porterpounder]

I doesn't matter if you lay them on their sides, but you're going to stir up the yeast before you pour if it's collected in the side of the bottle rather than the bottom. Not so bad for a hefe, but maybe not for many other styles. You'll know quickly if you have any leaky caps.

 

[leidemann]

Get your self a large plastic container to hold your bottles while they are carbonating. The reason for this is to contain any beer and glass resulting from a bottle bomb. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. Bottle bombs result from too much sugars leading to higher pressures in the bottle. Make sure that you keep the temperature arouund 70 degrees fahrenheit for optimum carbonation which should take about two weeks at that temperature.
Also I believe it is best to keep your bottles upright at all times prior to pouring.

 

[Sailingeric]

Stand them up.. The sediment will fall the bottom and when you put one in the fridge it will harden up and when you pour you will get very if any sediment.

 

[soccerdad]

I would stand them up

 

[flars]

Laying the bottles on their sides will create a larger surface area for the air in the head space to contact the beer. This could create an oxidation problem if the beer will be aged in the bottles for some months.

 

[yewtah-brewha]

Laying the bottles on their sides will create a larger surface area for the air in the head space to contact the beer. This could create an oxidation problem if the beer will be aged in the bottles for some months.

By standing them up you reduce oxidation, there will be a very thin layer of O2 you want this to be in the upermost part of the bottle which is near the top and most narrow part of the bottle.