George J Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I have hunted through the forum but cannot find an answer to this question so apologies if it is being repeated. I have started looking for glass bottles for my brews because spending 70 bucks on PET bottles for each brew is getting SWMBO a bit cranky. So my question is: 1. Can Cooper's Sparkling Ale stubby bottles be used for homebrewing? (i see that the sparkling ale is bottle conditioned so I assume, Yes) 2. Can Corona bottles be used? (provided they are kept out of light while conditioning). 3. When the bottle can be returned for a refund, does that mean it is a re-useable one? If you guys could post what bottles can be used, I think this thread might be a useful resource for others with the same question as me. Thanks These bottles have been used by the gurus on here: Coopers Stubbies Tooheys Stubbies Paulaner Franziskaner Michelob amber bock Sam Adams Sierra Nevada Sapporo Dog Fish Head Rogue Thirsty Dog Smuttynose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I use any beer bottles that have a crown seal. I have 6 or 7 milk crates full of Coopers Stubbies, a few clear bottles etc. They do however say not to reuse and Coopers will say not to use them as they are not designed for homebrew and are more prone to bottle bombs if all the steps arnt correctly followed. My tip is to make sure it is finished fermenting and don't overprime. The best bottles to use are the Coopers longnecks as they are designed for homebrew. Also when I buy PETs it is only $30 per brew and you are able to reuse them as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike - Hoosier Daddy Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 The PET bottles and caps are reusable. Just sterilize and refill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snags Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 $70? [crying] They are 15 bucks per box of 15, with 30 needed per 23L brew. How does that work out then?[pouty] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I am guessing his LHBS is putting a bit extra on top. I don't use much plastic anymore, only because I am trying to get in the habbit of storing for 6 months before drinking. But if I know I will be drinking the beer earlier, my Plastic bottles get used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Thanks for the responses guys.. So a crown seal but not a twist top, right? I use carbonation drops so dont expect that i will over prime them. The PETs i but are boxes of 15 bottles for NZD 35 each. that works out to 70 kiwi dollars a brew![crying] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I've used hundreds of twist tops without a problem but it kind of an "at your own" risk kind of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 A definate at your own risk sort of thing. I probably have 25 Milkcrates full of Tooheys and Coopers Stubbies (which are both screw tops) and havent had an issue yet. In saying this, I always make sure fermentation is finished before bottling and I never over prime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 good to hear this from experienced brewers. I am confident that i bottle only after fermentation is complete because all my brews are in FV for 3 weeks before bottling. And I believe that my hydrometer is my friend. [biggrin] Also I use Coopers carbonation drops so dont expect over priming to be an issue.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Your good to go. You just need to collect some glass bottles. Another thing that I had an issue with (this maybe just me) was that after using the boxes the beer came in after one or two brews they got crappy and would fall apart. I sourced some Milkcrates and this problem was fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 yeah, same here.. those boxes last me a couple of brews and then fall apart. I am now up to my 9th and 10th brews in FV so need to stop using expensive PET bottles.. man, I wish i had never thrown out all those beer bottles i drank before i got into HB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PB2 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 George, are you throwing the PETs away after one use? Link in FAQs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 no sir!! that would really tick off SWMBO! [lol] I expect that they should last me at least 20 to 30 brews before I have to chuck them.. I'll replace the caps after 4 or 5 brews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PB2 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Here are our sturdy 750ml glass bottle selection: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Beautiful collection there Paul. I am starting to collect those for my recultured yeast now. I wanted some longnecks for homebrew to buy them it was going to cost $4 a bottle. I currently have Sparkling on special for $5 a longneck, have a guess which way I went [joyful] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeonardC2 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Well,Idk if these are available down under,But I use bottles from Paulaner,Franziskaner,Michelob amber bock,Sam Adams,Sierra Nevada,Sapporo,Dog Fish Head,Rogue,Thirsty Dog,& other "craft" brews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb12 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Hi George, looks like you are getting ripped off as in Auckland 15 Pets are around $16 to $17. The home brew shop I go to even has crates of 12 750 ml glass bottles for $10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 I'm gonna have a hunt around here for those bottles Paul. they look gorgeous [biggrin] Thanks for that Leonard. I have edited my original post to include all those names. Your kidding Scott!!?!?? I have been to Bin Inn here as well as another HB shop and both of them charge NZD 35 for a case of 15 PET bottles. Whats the LBHS you go to? maybe I can order the glass bottles from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Good luck George - for the prices your paying you should be able get your bottles, your ingredients and buy yourself luch and have change for the bus home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 hahaha.. true that.. I cannot believe they are only 17 bucks in Auckland. these guys in Hastings are minting money! [annoyed] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 If you ever order more bottles it might be worth buying them online and getting them sent to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb12 Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 What part of NZ are you in George? If you're in Auckland check out this web site http://www.brewerscoop.co.nz/ for Pet bottles. I get the $10 swappa crates from the brew & grow shop in Silverdale. I prefer glass to plastic & at $10 per crate are great value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I also prefer glass, but the plastic bottles are just way to easy to use. Putting the tops on them is far easier then capping the glass bottles. I should move to kegging. That would make the bottling process a hell of alot faster and easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George J Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 Wow! thanks for the link Scott. you weren't kidding when you said 17 bucks for the PET bottles. All my gear is gonna be from that site from now on. I'm based in Hastings. I agree Matty, plastic is quite easy to use. and when ur a clumsy oaf like me, at least plastic doesn't break! [lol] I want to try glass bottles only because I would like to store some bottles for a year or more.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Fancy Glass bottles also look a lot nicer when you have company over as well. My father almost refuses to drink out of the plastic as beer isn't supposed to be in plastic but when I pull out some fancy nice glass bottles, you can just see his eyes light up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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