Delabeling

[DizzyPants]

Just got back from a great fourth and enjoyed my first batch..a nice wheat.

Oxiclean is the greatest for a nice soak and get labels off.

EXCEPT, Heineken bottles....it was me, my biceps and a pair of needle nose to get those off.

Ayinger and Redhook were much more hospitable.

 

[dibby33]

I changed my beer drinking habits for a while just to get bottles that were easy to get the labels off!

 

[hal2814]

This is one area where Charlie P's advice is still the absolute best available: ammonia. That puny Heinny label stands no chance. (Just make sure not to get it mixed up with any bleach.)

 

[Falcor]

anyone know what gets the print off of Stone bottles? i've had a few soaking in PBW for about 3 - 4 with no luckf

 

[SteveM]

I would advise against using Heineken bottles anyway. First, since they are green, they will not filter light as effectively as brown bottles. Second, since they are Euro-bottles, they will have a slightly smaller opening. You can compensate for this but if care is not taken, you might not get a good cap seal.

Stone is not labeled as such - unless they have changed, that stuff is painted on. Since they are seldom seen here on the east coast, I do not attempt to strip the paint off. I like it - you can tell it's my beer by the cap.

 

[foxual]

if you, or anyone you know, drinks Magic Hat, I have found them to be the absolute easiest labels to get off. 5 minutes in Oxiclean, peel the paper off, 5 more minutes, rub the glue off with a kitchen scrubbie.

 

[pretzelb]

That is odd. I found the Red Hook labels difficult to remove. So far the easiest have been Spaten Optimator which just falls off in about 5 minutes without me even touching them. We have a small square plastic scrapper that I think is made to clean pans and I find it works well (try kitchen supply store).

 

[Boondoggie]

I've found RedHook to be among the easiest to remove...

 

[Hang Glider]

anyone know what gets the print off of Stone bottles? i've had a few soaking in PBW for about 3 - 4 with no luckf

Try StarSan - I soak my printed bottles in StarSan for about 2 hours, the ink just dissolves...

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Try StarSan - I soak my printed bottles in StarSan for about 2 hours, the ink just dissolves...

What is your dilution rate, or is it just undiluted Star-san?

I personally think that New Belgium's labels are the easiest to remove, they must use some kind of "green" glue, sometimes you don't even have to soak them, just pull the label off dry and use a kitchen scrubbie to get the glue off, however, soaking them in Oxiclean will make the labels just fall off and many times will dissolve the glue too!

 

[Hang Glider]

What is your dilution rate, or is it just undiluted Star-san?

OMG - no not undiluted - that stuff is ungodly strong! Normal strength.

 

[Homercidal]

I've soaked a few painted bottles in Starsan and it works pretty good. The worst ones soaked for a few days, with a quick wipe now and again. Maybe use a green scrubby to finish the almost invisible outline on some bottles.

If a label doesn't come off in an overnight soak in Oxi, I pitch it and use a different brand. They are so easy to come by, it' snot worth my time to use the difficult ones, when there are tons of easy ones.

 

[ChshreCat]

What is your dilution rate, or is it just undiluted Star-san?

I personally think that New Belgium's labels are the easiest to remove, they must use some kind of "green" glue, sometimes you don't even have to soak them, just pull the label off dry and use a kitchen scrubbie to get the glue off, however, soaking them in Oxiclean will make the labels just fall off and many times will dissolve the glue too!

I noticed that too, but just had to throw out all my New Belgium bottles because they break when recapping them. Big shame since they make some of my favorite inexpensive beers.

 

[babalu87]

I've found RedHook to be among the easiest to remove...

Me too, Harpoon and all German beers.

I changed my beer drinking habits for a while just to get bottles that were easy to get the labels off!

LOLz

 

[DrMaddVibe]

+1 for the Oxyclean.

I put almost a scoop full in the bottom of a rubbermaid container and fill it 3/4 full with hot water. Put in a little over a case in for 15 minutes and the labels are either floating or barely clinging. I have a Wally World scrubby brush that I bought to clean our stove top with, but it works great for removing any glue or cling ons that just won't let go.

I've found that Dogfish labels just float away. So do Pranqster.

 

[d37fan]

I learned the hard way about Star-san and ink. I was dipping the solution from the sink to the wall paper tray with a brand new Pyrex measuring cup and it erased the ink just doing that. Sam Adams labels fall of in plain water pretty easy.

 

[axr]

if you, or anyone you know, drinks Magic Hat, I have found them to be the absolute easiest labels to get off. 5 minutes in Oxiclean, peel the paper off, 5 more minutes, rub the glue off with a kitchen scrubbie.

Other good bottles to use are Sierra Nevada and Saporro bottles. Labels come off easily with just a 3-4hour water soak in initially warm water. Adding oxiclean or similar substitute even makes it easier.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

I noticed that too, but just had to throw out all my New Belgium bottles because they break when recapping them. Big shame since they make some of my favorite inexpensive beers.

Really?!?! That's too bad.

I have about 150 NB bottles and have never had one break.

What kind of capper do you use?

I have a basic Red Baron capper and it works just fine with NB's bottles.

BTW I agree, great beer at a decent price.

 

[ChshreCat]

Really?!?! That's too bad.

I have about 150 NB bottles and have never had one break.

What kind of capper do you use?

I have a basic Red Baron capper and it works just fine with NB's bottles.

BTW I agree, great beer at a decent price.

Big black wing capper is all I have. Something about the necks and the decoration above the shoulder. They start making a grinding sound as soon as I start to cap. Not every time... I have a bunch from my last couple batches bottled in NB bottles, but two or three would break or threaten to break each time.

 

[Falcor]

if you, or anyone you know, drinks Magic Hat, I have found them to be the absolute easiest labels to get off. 5 minutes in Oxiclean, peel the paper off, 5 more minutes, rub the glue off with a kitchen scrubbie.

yeah i just noticed that, have some soaking now. other bottles i soaked took alot longer, but a friend just hooked me up with a 12pk of empty magic hats and the labels were off quick.

Try StarSan - I soak my printed bottles in StarSan for about 2 hours, the ink just dissolves...

would have never thought of that, will give it a try

 

[JeepDiver]

So am I the only one that is lazy and just leaves the labels on most of them? When I get around to it I'll soak a few to get them off, but if I need bottles and they haven't been soaked then they get filled with labels on them.