Couple Questions on Bottling

[b33risGOOD]

Hello

My brew is just around the corner from fermentation and I have some questions on bottling it.

Can i re-use regular beer bottles? If so what equipment do I need?

Would this be the cheapest way to bottle?

For now I bought 24 P.E.T bottles with what looks like push on caps. The bottles being 1.25 each added up $

What is the most cost effective method of bottling.

Thank you

 

[rwinzing]

You can use used beer bottles pry off not twist off. You need a bottling bucket (a bucket with a spiget on the bottom) a bottling wand (which is a tube that has a end that you apply preasure too to fill bottles), priming sugar (included with most kits) and bottle caps.

Plus a capper (winged is the cheapest)

Allequitment will cost between 20-30 bucks but you can use forever. You spent that much on the PET bottles already

Get to drinking and empty some bottles

 

[WVBeerBaron]

Clean 2 liter soda bottles are pretty easy too. You'll still need a bucket, wand and tubing.

Sanitize everything and don't forget the priming sugar.

The real easy way is to buy corny kegs and put your homebrew on draft...

 

[b33risGOOD]

About the 2litre bottles, what cap do I use for them? The original cap or ??

IM gonna have to buy myself a case of pry off beer and get busy drinking lol

 

[WVBeerBaron]

I use the original caps from the soda bottle, just sanitize everything well and only fill the soda bottles 3/4 of the way full, leave a little head space. Most of the time i'll fill 20 regular 12oz bottles and put the rest of the batch in 2 liter soda bottles, that way I can sample my beer as it ages by opening a smaller bottle.

 

[axr]

Plastic bottling is good in a pinch, but I'm a traditionalist and enjoy the effect and process of bottling in beer bottles. Of course there is no better excuse to drink beer than to say you are collecting empty bottles - as if anyone needs an excuse!

Another option is to visit your local pub. Sometimes they'll let you rummage through their empties or charge you a few bucks for some.

 

[rmolledo]

go to a local bar and tell the guy you'll give him a nice tip if he can fill a garbage bag with empty pry-offs. You don't need a spigot bucket. Those are a pain because they tend to leak. I just siphon by filling the tube with water and relying of gravity to pump the beer through. But you will need a bottle filler.

 

[KFBass]

24 PET bottles @ 1.25 each??? How big were they?

my local store sells 24 500ml bottles with caps, for 15 bucks, Canadian dollars too. Even so getting 48 of those cost about 30 dollars.

Something is to be said though for bottling with caps and glass. I just did my first caps and glass bottling and man did it ever feel good. Looking at all my bottles in the case, works of art really!!

 

[b33risGOOD]

Yea my bottles are half litre bottles at 1.25 a piece. I have come to realized the beer supply store I found is not a good place for a bargain. Anyways, im gonna be collecting some glass bottles and get the capper or whatever when its time.

 

[seanybubbles]

Since your in T.O I would try just going to the beer store and buying some used bottles. Although many say you can't use twist top bottles, I've used them for years without a problem. If you go in with 6$ they should give you 60 bottles and you'll be all set for your first batch. Just get some unscented oxiclean and soak the bottles in hot water for an hour and all the labels will just fall off. The bottles will look the same as if you bought them. I only know all this cause I'm a cheap-ass homebrewer....

 

[IceFisherChris]

I think you should check some recycling bins or ask your local bar if you can get bottles. Save yourself some money and help save the environment a little at the same time
Never pay for a beer bottle unless it comes with beer in it!!!
As for bottling, you will probably want a bucket with a spigot on the bottom. Clear vinyl tubing can slip right over the fitting. You don't need a bottling wand, but it makes it way easier than trying to maneuver the spigot. Especially when you need to add 1/4 ounce more of beer. Glass bottles will need caps, and a wing capper (cheapest and works fine.) Plastic bottles will just need screw caps (reuse them if you have them).
If you don't find enough bottles, you just just bottle up one of those 2-liters. Save it for an occasion where you need a lot of beer in one night! If you keep it cold, it will keep carbonation too (just like pop in the fridge)