Glass or plastic?

[Manngold]

Brewing my first ale. Was wondering if there was consensus on plastic or glass bottles? If going bottle route, can I use a crown capper on any bottle, or are there specifics?

Thanks fellas

[Exiled Bradfordian]

For ease, plastic wins hands down. As I understand it, your beer will keep longer in glass than in plastic.

In terms of crown capping, you can crown cap anything that's been crown capped before, broadly speaking. Ensure the bottle is designed to hold the pressure of carbonated drinks. Old beer bottles are ideal. Brown if poss.

[Jim]

Glass is definitely better for long-term storage. Plastic allows gas to permiate both in and out, resulting in loss of condition and staling (apparently).

Re crown caps, yes in theory you can cap anything that was capped, but some bottles have a peculiar shaped neck that won't take a 2 lever crown corker. A bench capper will cap those no bother though.

[Manngold]

Thanks so much for the quick responses. For a first timer what would you suggest? I don't have a bench capper, and probably won't be able to invest in something like that for a while. I have been collecting fullers, shepherd neame, and brakspear bottles. Most are Brown, and the tops look the same. Are they an ok bottle? Thanks for your help.

[timbo41]

Should be fine with care...especially if using one of those dappers that you have to hit with a hammer! I've been using the ox bar plastic bottles that can be crown capped.
Very pleased so far. Lots supply them. Coopers do same with screw tops

[Greatcthulhu]

I've never come across a 500ml beer bottle that wont accept a crown cap fitted with a two handled capper, so if that's what you've got you should be OK. As far as plastic bottles go, I've stored beer in them for a few months with no problem. If you go with glass, it can be useful to use a single plastic bottle so that you can feel how tight it gets and hence, how conditioning is proceeding.

[Jim]

I've never come across a 500ml beer bottle that wont accept a crown cap fitted with a two handled capper........

You obviously haven't tried a Wychwood bottle.

It's not impossible, but can be very awkward for a 2 lever capper. Bottles can end up on the floor quite easily.

[Manngold]

Thanks, I think for ease and success with my first brew I am going for plastic. Already considering my second, what is the wilkos golden ale like? Thabjs

[Exiled Bradfordian]

Three quid dearer than Woodforde's Wherry, and remarkably similar from what I've heard.

[themadhippy]

what is the wilkos golden ale like

very nice,i prefere it to wherry.its even better with 25g of citra boiled for 15 mins in a couple of litres of water and another 25g citra dry hopped after a week.

[Manngold]

This citra you talk of, is it a hop? Can I add hops to any kit beer? I have also seen people sell pellets, are they worth it? Also if I was thinking of changing the flavours a little, could I add, say lemons to the fermentation process? Thanks xxx

[themadhippy]

This citra you talk of, is it a hop?

yep

Can I add hops to any kit beer?

cant think of any reason why not

Also if I was thinking of changing the flavours a little, could I add, say lemons to the fermentation process?

thats the idea behind using adional hops to a kit,citra gives a nice citrasy bitterness

[LeeH]

I've kept a festival kit beer in the Coopers oxy bar bottles for months and months. Maybe knocking on for a year.

I drank the last one last week and it was great. I do mainly have glass swing tops though but for 9.99 a box, coopers bottles are great.

[cellone]

When I first started brewing I used plastic but over the last few years I have amassed a fine collection of several hundred glass swing tops.

I admit I have only had them all full once, it was a true thing of beauty. Brought a tear of pride to my eye and I don't think plastic would have done that.

[mattwilson]

In relation to original question, I use glass every time. Specifically, bulmers bottles. They hold 568ml in each, which means when you pour into. Pint glass, with a slight head you have just under an inch if beer left in the bottle, therefore no worries about sediment in the glass.

Also, its usually on offer at my local, so at 18 bottles for 16 quid, I get some mates round for the football, and for just over 30 quid I have enough bottles for a whole batch.

I have about 100 bottles collected this way.