Homebrew should be bottled using brown bottles that are not twist- off in design.
Bottling is one of the final steps in the homebrewing process, but it is also one of the most important. It is here, in the bottle, that a small amount of fermentation will take place and natural carbonation will occur. It is also here that your beer will age and mature, making it just right for consumption. What important considerations must be made when selecting bottles and completing the process? Does it matter what you use and how you bottle?
The way you bottle and your selection of bottles does make a difference when you brew beer and the utmost care should be taken to improve the odds of a fresh batch of brew in the end. First, there is the color of the bottles themselves. As most beer lovers already know, clear bottles and green bottles offer little protection from light and should thus be avoided. Brown bottles are best and using brown bottles will better ensure the quality of your final product. There are no guarantees, but your odds are greatest if you go brown.
Next, one must consider the type of bottle. Many homebrewers simply save previously used bottles from their favorite 12- pack or 6- pack of craft beer. They wash the bottles, sanitize them, dry them, and use them for bottling. This is fine, but one must be careful never to use bottles that once contained twist- off caps. The reason to avoid these bottles is because the bottle cap will not be able to seal completely, and that means the natural carbonation will be lost. Always use bottles that require the use of a bottle opener. Samuel Adams is one such beer- all Sam Adams products are bottled in traditional, non- twist off bottles. In the absense of leftover bottles, one can also order bottles for use in brewing. Homebrew supply stores and several online stores sell bottles, ready for use. The homebrewer can purchase 12- ounce bottles or larger bottles. Again, as long as the top of the bottle isn’t twist- off (look for spiral grooves at the top, which indicate the bottle is twist off), it should be fine to use.
Another important consideration is the capping process. A good table mounted bottle capper is best, but some homebrewers opt for the manual, hand- operated bottle capper. Both work fine and what matters most is achieving a solid seal on the top of the bottle- a seal that will not allow air to enter the bottle and will not allow carbonation to escape. Make sure you supply a good deal of pressure to improve the odds that the bottle is properly sealed.
In summary, always make certain that your bottles and caps have been cleaned and sanitized before you begin bottling your beer, and strive to use brown bottles that are not twist- off in design. Following these simple steps will improve your chances for a delicious, memorable, homemade brew with just the right level of carbonation.
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