where to get Brown pop off bottles?

[Jordan303]

hey guys this is my first post. Im just about ready to take up homebrewing and can get all my supplies from http://www.canadianhomebrewing.ca/shop/ i spoke to Matt a couple of days ago and he is more then helpful with great prices. I am going to be picking up my supplies in about 2 weeks and can't wait to start brewing. The only issue is after im done brewing i need to bottle it and cant get ahold of 12oz beer bottles. i called up the beer store and they only have 4 brands of beer that are brown pop off those being Guiness, Bass, Duckstein, and Warsteiner. I dont want to go out and buy 2-3 cases of beer just for the bottles. As a matter of fact im a college student and just getting the homebrew stuff is a stretch. I go to school in Sault Ste. Marie but originate from toronto. Anyone know of any places to get brown pop off bottles in either of those 2 cities? I looked into kegging and thought that was a great idea...then i found out the price and that turned me right off. I also heard about these plastic brown bottles but can't seam to get ahold of any. So if anyone knows anywhere to get them or has so extra they wouldn't mind selling me would be great.

By the way i frogot a formal introduction so here goes. My name is Jordan and i am a college student attending sault college for aviation (i wanna be a pilot). Im a first year and we do most of out flying over the summer. I knew someone who brews his own beer and he got first place in canada. He said for my 19th birthday he will show me ways and i look forward to it. I have allways been a do it yourself guy from waxing and sharpening my skiis, snowboard. fixing my parents cars all the time. building and repairing bikes was a nuce summer job. And adding my own brew is something I would really take pride in. I have been researching this for about 3 months now and have been on these forums for about the past 2 months. I just signed up a few days ago and got my account activated today. There is tons of great info here and everyone seams so friendly. I love the atmosphere and look forward to learning a lot from you all. My first brew will probibly be a cider from Matt at http://www.canadianhomebrewing.ca/shop/ as he has some nice kits. Strongbow has allways been one of my favourite drinks but its just so damn expensive. Just wanted to say hi and I look forward to meeting you all!

[BrewDog]

Jordan-

First, welcome to the site and the hobby-

I'd go down to one of the bars near school and see if one of the bartenders will help you out with some empties. Maybe promise him a six pack of your home brew.

Another option is to throw a "bring your own beer in brown pop top bottles only" party and see if the people you invite will actually follow through. You'd be surprised how "stupid" themes like this will actually attract a crowd and can get you what you need.

Good luck and keep posting.

[Jordan303]

Hey brewdog. thanks for the welcome and I saw your kegerator...i just keep thinking one day when i get a job hehe.

I'm gonna try a local bar and see what i can get. I can't throw a party at my house cause i live with 3 other guys that never party, drink, or go out (yes all of our grades are the same with a A average). The I live with I actually had to convinve them to "let" me brew. They didn't want it in the house incase their dad's ever showed up even tho they are all of age. That was my rant. But the bar idea I think is a great one, but when fiends throw parties i keep collecting the emties. The only problem is they're all clear (sleemans, mgd, and corona) once in a while i can get a heineken but i really dont want to skunk my brew. So I'm very reluctant to use clear bottles.

[Dextolen]

Most of my bottles are Sam Adams, when our local grocer was selling the Holiday variety 12 pack for $10 I couldn't pass it up. The labels are fairly easy to remove, compared to some other brands, too.

Although you can stare a Salvator label off, and it's a great brew.

[Jordan303]

Well here in Canada I dont think we can get sam adams..and if we do definitly not that cheap. But you did give me a great idea, i live just 15 minutes fro, the american border to the upper penninsula of michigan. Maybe i can round up a bunch of guys go to a store we'd have to drink the beers there but come back with the bottles or something. But maybe it will work.

[barleyburps]

You might check to see if there is a local homebrew/winemakers shop on the USA side of the border. If not, I know you can find bottles at online suppliers like www.morebeer.com. There are many online retailers that cater to homebrewers.

[barleyburps]

sorry about the faulty link. . .the actual is morebeer.com and upon rechecking the site, the smallest bottles they sell are 22 oz.

[dparsons]

The local restaurant, bar, frat party, neighbors are good sources of bottles. I'd be more tempted by the Warsteiner, but that is a good bit of beer to drink by next weekend. And your roommates wouldn't even help.

[stronk]

I seem to remember there are a few brewpubs in Toronto. Maybe they'd be more likely to use pop-off rather than twist-off bottles (that's the issue, right?). Also, I seem to remember that the big bottles of micros (there was one called Tin Whistle Brewing in BC, but you probably can't find that around the East coast) tended to be pop-cap rather than screw-cap.

If all else fails, don't let green and clear put you off, if you can get your hands on them. Personally, I use them if I'm forced because what matters to me is the beer rather than the presentation. As long as you're careful about storage away from light, they'll be fine.

[barleyburps]

true, Ive used clear and green bottles over the years. . .as long as you shield them from flourescent and sunlight, you'll be ok.

I cover my bottled ales with a thick dark towel. . .

[shugalou]

Welcome aboard....You've choosen a good hobby to get into and one that will reward you for and future friends (sounds like current ones haven't taken beer appreciation 101 yet)

Two ideas for you...1. go to local beer store and see if they have any Grolsch empties (Pop Top Type)...I've done this and some beer stores will help you out while others won't...but if they are cool you can buy them for 10 cents. This is the best way to go because then you avoid the capping process.

If you can't find enough Grolsch bottles (which will most likely be the case) I have found using sleeman bottles works the best. My hand held capper likes these bottles and the glass is a little thicker.

In the meantime start drinking Grolsch for the bottles. If you look at buying these bottles they are usually 2-3 bucks each. Check E-Bay though as you may be able to find them for a good deal.

[BigE]

Hey Jordan, my buddy and I (his name is Jordan too?) home brew and buy almost all our stuff from Matt, he's awesome and knows his shit!
I can tell you if you hit the LCBO you can get Sam Adams, the bottles are great for home brew, as well the Grolsch bottles are excellent...I also found brown flip tops at the LCBO, for the life of me I can't remember what the beer was but I'll check the bottle when I get home and post. It was just like a Grolsch bottle but brown? If you like dark beer grab some Hockley Valley Dark if you can find it, the huge flip top bottles are amazing!!!!
Also, Mill St. Brewery makes a great Pale Ale called Tankhouse as well as a good Coffee Porter, those bottles are great for home brew as well!

[BigE]

The beer in the brown flip tops was from Fischer, I got it at an LCBO in Kitchener. It's the Fischer Traditional and comes in the 650ml brown glass flip top bottle:

FISCHER TRADITIONAL
LCBO 676296 | 650 mL bottle

Price: $ 4.25
Beer, Non. U.S. Beer, Regular Brewery
6.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 5

Made in: France, France
By: BRASSERIE FISCHER SA


Tasting Note
Golden colour; clean aromas, with slightly hoppy, fresh apple notes; smooth, light, creamy and refreshing pleasant finish.

Serving Suggestion
English style fish and chips, tempura shrimp.

[markaberrant]

In Saskatchewan, you can go down to any of the glass recycling depot and buy beer bottles back for the same price as the deposit (10 cents).

I also believe that Pacifico comes in a brown pop-top, and is reasonably priced. As well, most craft beer is sold in brown pop-tops, and actually tastes good.

[Jordan303]

wow i go to sleep and wake up with 8 more posts. Thanks to everyone im gonna do my best to get ahold of some without having to purchase any beer. But now i know i can get brown bottles if i have to. Im more likely going to look into the sam adams first but if you guys say clear bottles are do able then i'll see how many i got then go from there.

Thanks BigE i'll be sure to get a few fisher bottles the only issue is beer here is so expensive rathen then across the boarder. But using bigger bottles seams nices as i wouldn't have to bottle as much

Thanks to everyone who helped it really is appreciated!

[Jordan303]

actually i did have one more question while im here. My friends dad makes wine and has atleased 40 carboys. He offered me i think 5 glass carboys that hold 19litres. He said this is because allmost all the wine kits use 23L batches now. I said sure id be more then happy to take them the only thing is im curiouse do you guys use the 19L or 23L carboy for kits? Which one are kits meant to bew used with?

Thanks

[D0nc0smic]

well 19 liters is almost exactly 5 gallons so thats a pretty good size, though i don't know much about what the kits call for.

[markaberrant]

Originally posted by Jordan303
actually i did have one more question while im here. My friends dad makes wine and has atleased 40 carboys. He offered me i think 5 glass carboys that hold 19litres. He said this is because allmost all the wine kits use 23L batches now. I said sure id be more then happy to take them the only thing is im curiouse do you guys use the 19L or 23L carboy for kits? Which one are kits meant to bew used with?

Thanks

Most kits on the Canadian market are 23L kits. And when you say "kit" I assume you are referring to concentrate/ pre-hopped extract? Again, this is typical for Canada, but in the US, a kit is typically a recipe of sorts which includes extract, hops and specialty grains.

Now that we have that out of the way, I would actually recommend making a 23L kit in a 19L carboy. Most of the Canadian kits are pretty tasteless, so cutting back on the water gives it a lot more flavour.

AND, AND, AND, you'll probably want to get away from the kits at some point, in which case the 19L carboys will come in handy for making whatever the hell you want. In other words, get as many carboys as you can, and welcome to the hobby!

[Jordan303]

WOW thanks Mark. By kit i mean ones like coopers kit with a can, yeast, and dextrose.

Ok so perfect so all i have to get now are the bottles.

Thanks to everyone I will be looking into everyones information then come up with whatever i think would work best. Everyone who posted contributed something and i really do appreciate the help.

[BrewDog]

Here in the US, the kits are designed for 19L (5 US Gal).
Over in the UK & Australia, they are 23L kits generally.

[markaberrant]

Originally posted by Jordan303
WOW thanks Mark. By kit i mean ones like coopers kit with a can, yeast, and dextrose.

Yep, that's what I'm referring to. If you make it according to the directions, you'll definitely want to make it 19L, as the cider kit is not very strong.

Also keep in mind that ciders ferment slowly. I'm not sure what the fermentation instructions are with this kit, but if you plan to make a sparkling cider (carbonated), I would give it a month in the carboy(s) before bottling, and definitely use a hydrometer to ensure fermentation is complete. Otherwise, your bottles will overcarbonate and KA-BOOM!!!

If you continue on with the Coopers kits, I would make the following changes for the next batch:

1. Use 2 cans for each batch.
2. Don't add any dextrose, except for the 3/4 cup at bottling time.

My only personal experience with Coopers was the stout. I used 2 cans, and it was actually pretty damn good for a kit.

[HogieWan]

you can take a 23L kit and just use less water and have a stronger beer - I'm sure no one would mind

[shugalou]

Another thing with those kits. Buy better yeast, those kits are known for low quality yeast, go to your LHBS and replace it.

Also make sure your fermentation temps don't get too high. It took me years to find these things out. Aim for mid to high 60s when I was brewing with those kits they always recommended between 70-80. When you do it at higher temps you will get esters.

[markaberrant]

Originally posted by shugalou
Another thing with those kits. Buy better yeast, those kits are known for low quality yeast, go to your LHBS and replace it.

Coopers yeast is actually pretty good, as long as it isn't too old.

[Jordan303]

perfect I'll use the 19L for beer. Sorry for the late reply, got exams for another week. But i'll be sure to keep comming back and watching everyones posts. Allmost any question I was ever gonna ask gets answered in another topic so it works out very well.

Everyone is a great help and can't wait to start brewing.

[teacup13]

i am originally from the Soo...

go down to Northern Breweries on Bay St... they may be able to help you.. i am not sure if they have anything but twist offs but its worth a shot...

go down the the Stationmall to Bordertown U-Brew.. i always went there to drink and buy good buy... they may sell you empties... i use to deliver beer to them

Best Cellars
1510 Wellington Street East,
Sault Ste Marie, ON
P6A 2R2
Canada
(705) 946-5776

or you could take a trip across the bridge and go to

Superior Coast Winery And Brewery
410 Ashmun Street
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 49783
United States
phone: (906) 635-8463

[AMcN]

Talking about bottles, I have about 20 0ne-litre PET bottles I don't use. they are the green plastic ones with screw tops.

Someone can have them if they are near Oakville ontario and can pick them up.

I use glass these days, picked up from steady drinking of Bass and Magnotta IPA...(note the Magnotta have now gone to the screw top bottles)

[Jordan303]

i'll for sure check out those place in the soo.