Root Beer Bottles

[27unclejames24]

Hello! I am new to brewing, and i am looking for every way possible to save money. Iam going to bottle in about a month. I was thinking of buying a case of rootbeers and recycling the bottles for bottling. How would i clean the bottles, or is this even advisable? Thanks!

 

[Canti4341]

As long as they are not twist cap, go for it! You can clean with soap and water or PBW - it shouldn't be a big deal as long as you clean right after drinking. Then sanitize and you're ready to bottle.

 

[27unclejames24]

What is wrong with the twist cap bottles? That was the kind i was going to use actually lol

 

[reverendj1]

If you mean the plastic bottles, they will not work. The oils in root beer impregnate anything plastic and your beer will have a root-beery off-flavor. If you mean twist cap glass bottles, I have read that some people have good luck recapping them, but a lot of people don't.

 

[27unclejames24]

Ya they are glass, ibc root beer bottles. Is there any trick to capping them or do i have to wingit?

 

[Tombstone0]

Ya they are glass, ibc root beer bottles. Is there any trick to capping them or do i have to wingit?

I've heard that people have better luck with a bench capper than a wing capper. I've never tried it myself though.

 

[Canti4341]

The twist cap bottles won't work - the treads leave room for air to get in and you will likely end up with infected beer. Learned that the hard way - I accidentally left one twist cap in with a bunch of regular bottles. The beer in that bottle turned green. There just isn't a good way to recap twist cap bottles that I know of.

 

[reverendj1]

A better idea is to beg your friends and family for crown cap bottles, or go to your local bottle deposit. Sometimes they will let you buy them back for the return cost. If you have an LHBS, they should sell bottles too. Mine sells them for $13 for 24, but they also let you rummage through their returns. Also, you should be buying craft beer for "research" purposes. ;-)

 

[27unclejames24]

Thanks everybody! I will talk to my kin and tell them to just save their beer bottles. I appreciate all the help!

 

[NTexBrewer]

At our store IBC rootbeer is almost as expensive as some beer. It is always cheaper to buy bottles from HBS, usually $0.50 per bottle. If you belong to Costco you can find cases of beer (Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams) for $1.00 per bottle or so, that are pry off.

Regarding using twist off caps. I use them frequently, especially the small 7oz pony bottles from coors light and bud light. I like to use these bottles to use as my test bottles for carbonation. I have never had any problems. I actually have some oaked crandaddy braggot that is over 6 months old in small twist top bottles and have not had any problems. Pry off bottles are still the best to avoid any problems.

The most important thing if you have a wing capper is the head/collar of the bottle. The head/collar needs to be thick for the capper to grab. There are some pry off bottles that I have trouble using because of this. Abita is one that I can think off.

 

[27unclejames24]

I may go with the hbs, do you have a link? thanks!

 

[NTexBrewer]

HBS is my abbreviation for Home Brewing Store.

Looks like you have a store, Grape & Grain in your city. Usually buying bottles local is cheaper than mail order because of shipping size weight and breakage.

 

[27unclejames24]

they closed i still purchase from the guy who used to run it, but i will have to check to see how much they are