Trying To Lower Bottling Costs

[CodeSection]

As many of you already know, I give away 95-98% of what I brew to clients, friends and family. I'm trying to lower my bottling costs. I seem to get back about 50% of the bottles I give out. I do not have time nor the desire to scavenge for bottles from pubs or bars.

Right now I'm spending: $0.62 for each 12 oz long neck bottle, $0.52 for each Avery Removable Label (22827) and $0.95 for a six pack carrier. The Avery label is a breeze to remove and I like the ability to make my own label.

Depending upon bulk vendors, if I buy 2200 bottles, I can get the price down to as low as $0.176 per bottle, but with shipping, the overall price goes to $0.27 per bottle when bulk wrapped (Cary Company). If I buy 1152 bottles with 24 to a cardboard case, the price goes up to $0.36 per bottle and then to $0.51 with shipping. Bulk wrap appears to be the cheapest but I am concerned about breakage.

The lowest bulk pricing I could find for six pack carriers was $0.43 per six pack carrier. I'm currently hoping to get pricing from OnlineLabels.com for their product similar to Avery's.

Has anyone bought or used bottles from the Cary Company? If so, what has your experience been?

Does anyone know of cheaper places to purchase bulk items that can beat the prices above?

 

[RPh_Guy]

I seem to get back about 50% of the bottles I give out.

!?! Ungrateful jerks. My family/friends gives me cases and cases of bottles, more than I can ever use, and almost always return my bottles. A local pro brewer gave me 11 cases of used bottles.

Wish I could help... Maybe you could talk to local homebrew suppliers or breweries that bottle and see if you could buy bottles with a bulk discount. Obviously shipping is killer.

 

[bracconiere]

what about aluminum? i think it's possible to buy and crimp empty pop top cans?

 

[SEndorf]

It sticks out to me that you're giving away 95-98% of your production and are looking at a volume purchase of over 2,000 bottles. What is your batch size? "Family, friends and clients" presumably aren't A-holes and should know the value of free beer. The least they could do is return the bottles. Without more information, this sounds like a simple communications problem. With that many people benefiting from your efforts, you should never have to purchase bottles. Getting the proper word out should get you all their store bottles plus your returns.

 

[mongoose33]

Ever consider canning? The up front costs are significant but you may find your unit costs to be lower.

 

[verboten]

It sticks out to me that you're giving away 95-98% of your production and are looking at a volume purchase of over 2,000 bottles. What is your batch size? "Family, friends and clients" presumably aren't A-holes and should know the value of free beer. The least they could do is return the bottles. Without more information, this sounds like a simple communications problem. With that many people benefiting from your efforts, you should never have to purchase bottles. Getting the proper word out should get you all their store bottles plus your returns.

I agree, if I send out glass, I kind of expect it back.

 

[CodeSection]

@RPh_Guy, I guess some of the people I give beer to are insensitive and have no idea of the time and labor involved with the whole process. I hear "I have your bottles but I forgot them." It would be difficult to stop giving beer to those clients. Perhaps I will try to put a gentle guilt trip on them and describe the process and time involved. Then end with "I need those bottles back".

@bracconiere, I have no experience with cans. Plus, I had nice wooden beer crates made that are in my conference room. They give a nice presentation and complement the office surroundings.

@SEndorf, my volume is pretty low. I make 10g batches every three weeks or so. I'm trying to brew every two weeks and hope to make multiple batches at the same time later in the year. So, I have no immediate need for 2200 bottles. But I like the idea of driving down the costs and saving 56%. I suspect at the going bottle return rate, I would use the 2200 bottles within 18-24 months. So, annually and ignoring compounding, I'm still saving at least 28%.

 

[SEndorf]

OK. Makes more sense. I also give away more than I consume.
I've found that easy, cheap, personalized labels make a big difference. I always get my bottles back that are labeled. I just got a case of bottles back last Wed.(23 bottles) My friend apologized profusely since he "accidentally dropped one. "

 

[Jayjay1976]

Switch to growlers. Beer is free but they need to leave a deposit on the growler. Or, donate your time and energy to people who truly appreciate it, like the homeless.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Do you label as well? Wouldn't hurt to put a little message on there reminding them you'd like the bottle back.

"Please return bottle after enjoying"
"Free refills"

 

[bracconiere]

[USER=251801]@bracconiere, I have no experience with cans. Plus, I had nice wooden beer crates made that are in my conference room. They give a nice presentation and complement the office surroundings.
.[/USER]

sounds like you have enjoyable meetings! i don't have any experience with canning either, but think it's a thing....and they'd probably fit the crates just as well..

[/user]

 

[JohnSand]

Perhaps incorporate "please return" on labels.
When I bottled I got them for the 5c deposit from the local beer distributor. I cleaned and delabeled them by batch soaking in hot water and oxyclean. Many will fit in a plastic bin or tub.

 

[Jag75]

What you could do is tell them where to get the bottles . They bring you their bottles and you fill with homebrew . They take and when they want more they bring their empty bottles back .

 

[LittleRiver]

I made a bunch of nice wooden bottle carriers (my avatar pic). On my labels there are instructions to rinse the bottles after pouring, and to return the carrier and the bottles.

Some never got returned -- those people don't get any more beer from me (that includes some clients). Some get returned months later, with moldy bottles -- no more beer for them (that includes some friends). Some get returned with dirty bottles -- those people get a second & third chance, and a reminder to rinse the bottles.

The ones that return clean bottles can count on getting beer every time I brew.

 

[IslandLizard]

Plus, I had nice wooden beer crates made that are in my conference room. They give a nice presentation and complement the office surroundings.

Buy the 2200 bottle pack. Sounds like a legitimate and deductible business expense.

The bottles of beer are simple tokens of appreciation, and perhaps a form of advertising.
You want to keep your clients happy, not alienate them over friggin' empty bottles they don't return. Of those returned, half will likely need to get scrubbed from mold and what not that's left on the bottom.

 

[MaxStout]

Charge a deposit. Tell them the beer is free but you'll need 10 cents a bottle for a refundable deposit.

And the people who don't appreciate your gift of beer? Pearls before swine.

 

[CodeSection]

All great suggestions, thank you!

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

I want to be your friend

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

If your not bottle conditioning but filling from a keg use plastic soda bottles. I got my 1st set of 200 bottles from Craigslist. Or another approach put on Craigslist 'wanted non-twist top empty bottles'.

But really just ask for them including carriers back, most ppl will be good with that.

 

[CodeSection]

LOL. I bottle condition. I did find on Craigslist a local guy who bought 7,000 12 oz Heritage bottles from a bankrupt local brewery bankruptcy sale. He wants to sell all 7,000 bottles (bulk wrapped), cases and carriers for $700. I think it is good deal, however, I do not want to store 7,000 bottles and the cases and carriers. Plus, my wooden crates are setup for long necks and not shorties.

 

[JohnSand]

Tell him you'll pay the full $700 if storage is included!

 

[SEndorf]

I made a bunch of nice wooden bottle carriers (my avatar pic).

Could you post a larger pic of your avatar? Looks like a cool project.

 

[LittleRiver]

Here ya go. The wood is african mahogany I had left over from some doors I built. The handle is a retired climbing rope, there are a couple of screws that go in from the top to hold it in place. A young lady at my church does calligraphy, so I had her design me a logo. I had a rubber stamp made of it.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

Here ya go. The wood is african mahogany I had left over from some doors I built. The handle is a retired climbing rope, there are a couple of screws that go in from the top to hold it in place. A young lady at my church does calligraphy, so I had her design me a logo. I had a rubber stamp made of it.

View attachment 620841

I want to go to your church...and be the OP's friend. I can't lose! [emoji39]

 

[madscientist451]

Offer the guy that has the 7,000 bottles $500 and see if he takes it.
Take the extra $200 and buy a cheap shed to keep some of the bottles in:
https://www.amazon.com/Suncast-BMS2...&pf_rd_p=95b61808-0aa7-574e-91b0-770426c45bde

If you get 50% of them back, that should be enough bottles to keep you going for several years.

 

[Jayjay1976]

To the OP, I think you're tying too hard. Obviously people who take advantage of your generosity think so too and can't even return your bottles much less reciprocate. Separate strangers, clients, and acquaintances from friends and cut your losses. And if it helps, brew smaller batches.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

To the OP, I think you're tying too hard. Obviously people who take advantage of your generosity think so too and can't even return your bottles much less reciprocate. Separate strangers, clients, and acquaintances from friends and cut your losses. And if it helps, brew smaller batches.

Shhhhhh...I'm trying to help-ish and be friends with him. People should be honored to have his beer...um, for free.

 

[bracconiere]

Here ya go. The wood is african mahogany I had left over from some doors I built. The handle is a retired climbing rope, there are a couple of screws that go in from the top to hold it in place. A young lady at my church does calligraphy, so I had her design me a logo. I had a rubber stamp made of it.

View attachment 620841

LOL, damn a three pack? are you trying to make a fiend out of me? i need me to drink some homebrew! build some mahogany pallets and use some of that wrap they use at grocery stores for them....

 

[bracconiere]

Shhhhhh...I'm trying to help-ish and be friends with him. People should be honored to have his beer...um, for free.

if he's giving the beer away, maybe he'll keg it and i can buy it for what i did from the local brew pub $54 a keg....get a full keg, and an empty keg for spare.....but don't have to return the 'bottle'

 

[Pkrd]

Here ya go. The wood is african mahogany I had left over from some doors I built. The handle is a retired climbing rope, there are a couple of screws that go in from the top to hold it in place. A young lady at my church does calligraphy, so I had her design me a logo. I had a rubber stamp made of it.

View attachment 620841

Those are fantastic. I'd put return to sender on the base.