Beer bottle

Assortment of beer bottles

A beer bottle is a bottle made to contain beer, usually made of glass and comes in various sizes, shapes and colours (usually brown or green). Dark amber or brown glass greatly reduces the presence of UV light, a contributing factor of spoilage for craft beers using leaf hops.^[1] However, lighter-colored bottles are often used for marketing reasons.

The most common alternatives to glass bottles are beverage cans and aluminum bottles, or kegs for larger volumes.

Bottling lines

Bottling lines are production lines that fill beer into bottles on a large scale.

The process is typically as follows: 1)Filling a bottle in a filling machine (filler)typically involves drawing beer from a holding tank 2) Capping the bottle labeling it 3)Packing the bottles into cases or cartons. Many smaller breweries send their bulk beer to large facilities for contract bottling—though some will bottle by hand.

The first step in bottling beer is depalletising, where the empty bottles are removed from the original pallet packaging delivered from the manufacturer, so that individual bottles may be handled. The bottles may then be rinsed with filtered water or air, and may have carbon dioxide injected into them in attempt to reduce the level of oxygen within the bottle. The bottle then enters a "filler" which fills the bottle with beer and may also inject a small amount of inert gas (CO₂ or nitrogen) on top of the beer to disperse oxygen, as O₂ can ruin the quality of the product by oxidation.

Next the bottle enters a labelling machine ("labeller") where a label is applied. The product is then packed into boxes and warehoused, ready for sale.^[2]

Depending on the magnitude of the bottling endeavour, there are many different types of bottling machinery available. Liquid level machines fill bottles so they appear to be filled to the same line on every bottle, while volumetric filling machines fill each bottle with exactly the same amount of liquid. Overflow pressure fillers are the most popular machines with beverage makers, while gravity filling machines are most cost effective. In terms of automation, inline filling machines are most popular, but rotary machines are much faster albeit much more expensive.^[3]

Shape and size

Stubby and steinie

Australian 375 ml stubbie

A short glass bottle used for beer is generally called a stubby, or originally a steinie. Shorter and flatter than standard bottles, stubbies pack into a smaller space for transporting. The bottles are sometimes made with thick glass so that the bottle can be cleaned and reused before being recycled. The capacity of a stubby is generally somewhere between 330 and 375 ml (11.6 and 13.2 imp fl oz; 11.2 and 12.7 U.S. fl oz). The Canadian stubby bottle was traditionally 341 ml (11.5 U.S. fl oz; 12.0 imp fl oz) while the U.S. longneck was 355 ml (12.0 U.S. fl oz; 12.5 imp fl oz). Some of the expected advantages of stubby bottles are: ease of handling; less breakage; lighter in weight; less storage space; and lower center of gravity.

After the relaxation of Prohibition in the U.S. in 1936, many breweries began marketing beer in steel cans. The glass industry responded by devising short bottles with little necks, nicknamed stubbies, and types with short necks were called steinies. Capacities varied, with 12oz being the most common size used for soft drinks. The steinie dominated in the U.S. by 1950, and the neck became longer, such as seen with the familiar Budweiser bottle. Stubbies were popular in Canada until the 1980s. Today, standard SP Lager from Papua New Guinea is one of the few beers still sold in 12oz neckless stubbies. The U.S. steinie shape now dominates for small beer bottles the world over, in sizes from half-pint to the European 500ml. The word stubbie is now only in common use in Australia.

Stubbies are used extensively in Europe, and were used almost exclusively in Canada from 1962 to 1986 as part of a standardization effort intended to reduce breakage, and the cost of sorting bottles when they were returned by customers. Due to their nostalgic value, stubbies were reintroduced by a number of Canadian craft brewers in the early 2000s. In the U.S., stubbies have generally fallen out of favour, with only a few brands still using them such as the Session Lager by the Full Sail Brewing Company, and Red Stripe, a Jamaican brand import. Coors Brewing Company currently uses the stubby form for nostalgic packaging of Coors Banquet .

Belgium

Belgian beer is usually packaged in 330 ml (11.6 imp fl oz; 11.2 U.S. fl oz) bottles in four or six packs, or in 750 ml (26.4 imp fl oz; 25.4 U.S. fl oz) bottles similar to those used for Champagne. Some beers, usually lambics and fruit lambics are also bottled in 375 ml (13.2 imp fl oz; 12.7 U.S. fl oz) servings.

Britain

Through the latter part of the 20th century, most British brewers used a standard design of bottle, known as the London Brewers' Standard. This was in brown glass, with a conical medium neck in the pint and with a rounded shoulder in the half-pint and nip sizes. Pints, defined as 568 ml (20.0 imp fl oz; 19.2 U.S. fl oz), and half-pints, or 284 ml (10.0 imp fl oz; 9.6 U.S. fl oz) were the most common, but some brewers also bottled in nip (1/3-pint) and quart (2-pint) sizes. It was for example mostly barley wines that were bottled in nips, and Midlands breweries such as Shipstone of Nottingham that bottled in quarts. This standardisation simplified the automation of bottling and made it easier for customers to recycle bottles as they were interchangeable. They carried a deposit charge, which in the 1980s rose to seven pence for a pint and five pence for a half-pint. Some brewers however used individual bottle designs: among these were Samuel Smith, which used an embossed clear bottle, and Scottish and Newcastle, which used a clear bottle for their Newcastle Brown Ale (both designs survive in the 500 ml (16.9 U.S. fl oz; 17.6 imp fl oz) size today). Other brewers such as Timothy Taylor had used their own embossed bottles and rare examples continued to be reused into the 1980s. During the 1980s the industry turned away from refillable bottles and UK beer bottles are now all one-trip, and most are 500 ml (16.9 U.S. fl oz; 17.6 imp fl oz) or 330 ml (11.2 U.S. fl oz; 11.6 imp fl oz) in volume. The compulsory high recycled-content of these bottles makes them very dark and the lack of temper makes them chip easily when being opened.

Beer.

De Nederlandse Bierfles (pijpje)

Most beer producers in the Netherlands sell their beers in a 300 ml (10.6 imp fl oz; 10.1 U.S. fl oz) bottle called De Nederlandse Bierfles. De Nederlandse Bierfles is more commonly known as pijpje (little pipe) and carries a 10-cent deposit.

Longneck, Industry Standard Bottle (ISB) or North American longneck

A 12-oz Industry Standard Bottle (left) compared to a 40-oz bottle (right)

A North American longneck is a type of beer bottle with a long neck. It is known as the standard longneck bottle or industry standard bottle (ISB). The ISB longnecks have a uniform capacity, height, weight and diameter and can be reused on average 16 times. The U.S. ISB longneck is 355 ml (12.5 imp fl oz; 12.0 U.S. fl oz). In Canada, in 1992, the large breweries all agreed to use a 341 ml (12.0 imp fl oz; 11.5 U.S. fl oz) longneck bottle of standard design (named AT2), thus replacing the traditional stubby bottle and an assortment of brewery-specific long-necks which had come into use in the mid-1980s. In Australia, the term "longneck" is applied to bottles of this style with 750 ml (26.4 imp fl oz; 25.4 U.S. fl oz) capacity.

Large bottles

In the U.S. a "bomber" (shown) is 22 U.S. fl oz (650.6 ml; 22.9 imp fl oz); the European standard large bottle is 750-milliliter (25 U.S. fl oz; 26 imp fl oz) (in South Africa referred to as a "quart")

In the United States, large bottles are 22 U.S. fl oz (650.6 ml; 22.9 imp fl oz) (colloquially called a "bomber"); the European and Australian standard large bottle is 750-milliliter (25.4 U.S. fl oz; 26.4 imp fl oz). In South Africa and Canada they are referred to as a "quart"; in Australia they are known colloquially as a "longneck" or "tallie".

In Canada, they are known as "Mighty Beers".

Forty

A "forty" is American slang for a 40-U.S.-fluid-ounce (1,200 ml; 42 imp fl oz) bottle commonly used for cheaper varieties of beer and of malt liquor,^[4] though some 32-U.S.-fluid-ounce (950 ml; 33 imp fl oz) bottles are erroneously called forties.

Growler

64 U.S. fl oz (1,892.7 ml; 66.6 imp fl oz) Growler

A growler (/ˈɡraʊlər/) is a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer in the United States, Canada, Australia and Brazil. They are commonly sold at breweries and brewpubs as a means to sell take-out craft beer. Rarely, beers are bottled in growlers for retail sale. The exploding growth of craft breweries and the growing popularity of home brewing has also led to an emerging market for the sale of collectible growlers.

Growlers are generally made of glass and have either a screw-on cap or a hinged porcelain gasket cap, which can maintain freshness for a week or more. A properly sealed growler will hold carbonation indefinitely and store beer like any other sanitized bottle. Some growler caps are equipped with valves to allow replacement of CO₂ lost while racking. The modern glass growler was first introduced by Charlie and Ernie Otto of Otto Brothers' Brewing Company in Wilson, Wyoming in 1989.^[5]

While 64 U.S. fl oz (1,892.7 ml; 66.6 imp fl oz) is the most popular growler size, growlers are commonly found in 32 U.S. fl oz (sometimes known as a "howler", which may be short for "half growler"), 128 U.S. fl oz, 1-liter (33.8 U.S. fl oz; 35.2 imp fl oz), and 2-liter sizes as well. The two most popular colors for growlers are amber (a brownish hue) or clear (often called "flint"). Clear growlers are often 25% to 35% cheaper per unit than their amber counterparts. Glass handles are the most common type of handle for growlers, although metal handles, with more ornate designs, can also be found. Some growlers do not have handles; this is especially common with growlers smaller than 64 U.S. fl oz that have Grolsch-style flip-tops.^[6]

The term likely dates from the late 19th century when fresh beer was carried from the local pub to one's home by means of a small galvanized pail. It is claimed the sound that the CO₂ made when it escaped from the lid as the beer sloshed around sounded like a growl.^[7]

Growlers can be refilled for between $5 and $30 in the United States. Their initial purchase can carry a significant (sometimes non-compulsory) deposit.

Small bottles

There are also smaller bottles, called nips,^[8] ponies (United States), cuartitos (Mexico, "little fourth", compare to larger mediana "half"), throwdowns or grenades (Australia), among other names.

In the United States, the size of these bottles is usually 7 U.S. fl oz (207 ml), and are similar to the size of original Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola bottles. The term pony dates to the 19th century,^[9] and is due to the diminutive size,^[10] being used earlier for a pony glass, and similarly for a pony keg. The best-known brands of ponies are Rolling Rock (pony introduced 1939?) and Miller High Life (pony introduced 1972^[11][12]), and the 7 oz size of Rolling Rock likely contributed to the standardization on this size. Other major brands (Budweiser, Coors, Miller) are also regionally available in 7 oz bottles; these were introduced in the early 1970s, around the time of Miller High Life being so-packaged. More recently, Bud Light Lime has started to be sold in ponies, called "Limeys".

The popularity of Rolling Rock ponies has led to the folk etymology that "pony" is from the Rolling Rock horse logo. This is incorrect: the term "pony of beer" in the United States predates Rolling Rock (introduced 1939) by over 50 years, and advertising for Rolling Rock from the 1950s uses the term "pony bottle" generically, stating "... Rolling Rock is the Largest Selling 7 oz. Pony Bottle of Premium Beer in Pennsylvania".^[13]

Among Mexican beers, Corona sells ponies, branded as Coronita, from the Spanish diminutive -ita.^[14][15]

In Australia, a limited range of beers are available in a 250 ml (8.8 imp fl oz; 8.5 U.S. fl oz) bottle,^[16] nicknamed a throwdown or grenade.

In the United States, small bottles are most popular for the on-premises market, where they are sold by the bucketful.^[17] The motivation in the 1970s was to target lighter drinkers, and to ensure that the lager beer stayed cold until finished. The market for beer in small bottles is smaller than that in regular size bottles, which cause added difficulties and expense: the bottles themselves are harder to source, and require either a separate bottling line or retooling the bottling line between runs.^[18] As a result, US craft breweries only rarely bottle in small bottles; temporary examples include Flying Dog Brewery (2007–2009) and Rogue Ales^[8][19] (2009–2011, using extra bottles from Flying Dog).

"Darwin Stubby"

A Darwin Stubby refers to several large beer bottle sizes in Australia. It was first introduced in April 1958 with an 80-imperial-fluid-ounce (2,270 ml; 76.9 U.S. fl oz) capacity.^[20] The 2-liter (70.4 imp fl oz; 67.6 U.S. fl oz) Darwin Stubby is available by NT Draught in the Northern Territory. The 2.25-liter (76.1 U.S. fl oz; 79.2 imp fl oz) Darwin Stubby has an iconic,^[21] if kitsch status in Australian folklore.^[22]

"Caguama" and "Ballena" bottles

In Mexico, caguama and ballena are popular names for a 940 ml (33.1 imp fl oz; 31.8 U.S. fl oz) beer bottle. The Mexican beer brands which are sold in these bottles include Tecate, Carta Blanca, Sol, Indio, Victoria, Corona Familiar and Pacífico. The name "caguama" refers to the Loggerhead sea turtle, which is called "caguama" in Spanish.^[23] There are larger sizes of beer bottle called a super caguama or a caguamon. The ballena is Spanish for whale.

Gallery

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  Cone-shaped bottle of an Estonian beer

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  Two pijpjes

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  Darwin Stubbies in several variations

• 

  Half gallon growler

Closure

Bottled beer is sold with several types of bottle cap, but most often with crown caps, also known as crown seals. Some beers (for example Grolsch) are sold in "beugel" style bottles, known as "flip-top" or "swing top" in some English speaking countries. A number of beers are sold finished with a cork and muselet (or cage), similar to champagne closures. These closures were largely superseded by the crown cap at the end of the 19th century, but survive in premium markets. Many larger beers, including most forties and some growlers, use screw caps due to their resealing design.

Gallery

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  Crown cap, unopened

• Play media

  Video of homebrewers bottling beer using crown caps

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  Twist off beer bottle cap, unopened

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  Swing top beer bottle closure, unopened

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  Cork and muselet closure, unopened

Bottle fermentation

Some beers undergo a fermentation in the bottle, giving natural carbonation.^[24] These beers are usually referred to as bottle conditioned. They are bottled with a viable yeast population in suspension and to start what may be a second or third fermentation. If there is no residual fermentable sugar left, sugar and or wort may be added in a process known as priming. The resulting fermentation generates CO₂ that is trapped in the bottle, remaining in solution and providing natural carbonation. Bottle conditioned beers may be either filled unfiltered direct from the fermentation or conditioning tank, or filtered and then reseeded with yeast.^[25]

Use as weapons

Beer bottles are sometimes used as makeshift clubs, for instance in bar fights. As with glass pint glasses, the use of glass bottles as weapons is known as glassing. Pathologists determined in 2009 that beer bottles are strong enough to crack human skulls, which requires an impact energy of between 14 and 70 joules, depending on the location. Empty beer bottles shatter at 40 joules, while full bottles shatter at only 30 joules because of the pressure of the carbonated beer inside the bottle.^[26] A test performed by the television show MythBusters suggested that full bottles are significantly more dangerous than empty bottles. They concluded that full bottles inflict more damage in terms of concussion and skull fracture. However, they found that both full and empty bottles do the same amount of scalp damage.

As with pint glasses, the main solution to glassing with bottles is not to dispense glass bottles where there is risk of fights or accidents, most simply either using plastic glasses or plastic bottles.

Lightstruck beer

Lightstruck, or "skunked" or "skunky", beer has been exposed to ultraviolet and visible light. The light causes riboflavin to react with and break down isohumulones, a molecule that contributes to the bitterness of the beer and is derived from the hops. The resulting molecule, 3-methylbut-2-ene-1-thiol, is very similar chemically and in odour to the musk-borne mercaptans that are a skunk's natural defences.^[27]

In some cases, such as Miller High Life, a hop extract that does not have isohumulones is used to bitter the beer so it cannot be "lightstruck". A dark brown glass bottle gives some protection to the beer, but green and clear glass bottles offer virtually no protection at all.^[28]

There are also other solutions available to prevent beer bottled in clear and green glass from becoming skunked or light-struck, such as taller walls on 6-pack carriers, which is common with craft beers and highlighted in Samuel Adams marketing.

See also

References

Further reading

• Colin S. Burns, Arne Heyeric, Malcolm D. E. Forbes, (2001) "Mechanism for Formation of the Lightstruck Flavor in Beer Revealed by Time-Resolved Electron Paramagnetic Resonance"
• Richard Pozdrik, Felicity A. Roddick, Peter J. Rogers, and Thang Nguyen, (2006) "Spectrophotometric Method for Exploring 3-Methyl-2-butene-1-thiol (MBT) Formation in Lager"

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beer bottles.

• Article on stubbies which mentions the newer longnecks.
• Glass Manufacturer's marks & logos seen on containers and other glassware, both antique & modern (including beer, soda, & other bottles --Primarily American)