I just did a batch of around 80 bottles, various labels. I put 1/4 cup of PBW in the sink with the hottest tap water. My kitchen sink will only do about two dozen bottles at a time (wish I had a laundry sink). Sam Adams are pretty good, but compensate for that by some having three labels. Schlafly were best, Boulder Beer only OK. Had a few Two Brothers.....which have great beer in them, but which should be avoided for delabeling. The labels peel off, being some kind of plastic, but the adhesive underneath is NOT water-soluble. Nothing I had handy would dissolve it, and I didn't feel like experimenting, so I pitched 'em.
As was mentioned in a previous post, Guinness bottles are probably the best out there, particularly if you hate to remove labels. The label is shrink-on, so it can just be sliced off with a utility knife, and the plastic "torpedo" inside removed with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
I finally tried a Michelob "craft beer lite" sampler. The beers were -predictable- but the bottles were really nice. They look good, and the labels come right off.
To be sedulously avoided: Saranac, Celis....jacks or better to remove labels!
Strangely, every Euro beer I've delabeled (Franziskaner, Paulaner, etc.) comes off very easily. Dunno why.
