Bottles becoming passé?

Not in any store's beer section I typically patronize. If anything, the space for beer is constantly shrinking with the addition of more and more hard seltzers, from both macro companies and (so-called) "craft brewers".

 

Cans are king these days no doubt about it, ironically though I still do prefer bottles but part of that just might be the nostalgia and I grew up with them so much for a long time.

There's still some on the shelf at some of the places I go so all is not lost. Actually got a few six bottled packs lately cause it has an extra bonus. The bottles are great for homebrewing and then gifting the made beer to others

 

Yeah, the price point can be tough. I suppose I'm spoiled back Jack's Abby. Usually $10.99 for a six, yes six pack, of 16 oz cans of House Lager.

 

Yup!

I recently purchased a six-pack of Victory Hop Devil in bottles and those six bottles will indeed become part of my homebrew bottling. I will later this week bottle my last batch of lager of the lagering season: 1896 Michelob.

Cheers!

 

That is indeed one example of beer in 16 ounce cans that is reasonably priced.

The only example I am capable of providing is Mainstay Poplar Pils which is $9.49 for a four-pack/16 ounce cans (a six-pack equivalent price of $10.68 plus tax). My most recent four-pack/16 ounce purchase was Schilling Alexandr Czech Pilsner at 15 bucks which is:



Cheers!

 

Your favorite beers that you mentioned, I just can't see pouring them out of a can.
Sometimes the ritual is just part of the whole experience as is using the proper glass.

 

Delirium has switched to 500ml cans in my area. Since their glasses are marked at the 250ml. level it makes a great form for sharing. So, if I wish to drink it by myself, I pour to the line and wrap the top of the can with plastic wrap and a rubber band to keep the beer chilled while I enjoy the first half at my leisure. If I leave it in the fridge unsealed beers seem to absorb weird flavors.

 

I admire a man who sticks to his convictions.

 

Even in death.

 

Well said, and very true!

 

BRING BACK RETURNABLES~!

 

Thankfully I’m an old dog and played spin the bottle when I was a youngster. I couldn’t imagine these kids having to spin a Heady Topper can

 

Good idea but . . . . You will need a standardized bottle to minimize return costs (sorting, shipping, etc.). You will need to have either communal bottle washing facilities or new decentralized washing and storage at craft breweries. Brand proliferation cuts down the space available to stock both reusables and single use items. Finally, and most difficult, you will need to retrain the consumers to buy and return these bottles. States with beer distributors like PA and, to some extent, NY might be able to start stocking reusables. Straub in PA offers 16 oz reusables. Maybe start from there and try to expand to adjoining areas?

 

Thank you for bringing that point. Aesthetics is a big part in drinking beer for me. I like the feel of the bottle, the label, the glass, and the ritual. I just prefer glass over metal. Call me weird . . .

 

I had heard that Straub had discontinued returnables, but evidently that isn’t the case (pub intended)!

The most difficult part would be training (and in some cases re-training) consumers to return rather than dispose.

As for a standard, the glass makers used to have moulds going back for decades, and I believe that the “heritage” 12oz brown glass (think: Sierra Nevada) would be closest to a universal in the Microbrewery and Craft Era.

A man can dream...

 

Standard US returns included the brown 12 steinie, the 11 stubby (Pacific Northwest), the tall 12 export, the 16 export, the 32 steinie quart, the Ballantine green tall 12 and tall 32 "bumper". A brown 12 export might be a good choice. Straub uses the 16 export.

 

I like them too for new beers I’d like to try, but don’t want to commit to a 6er.

 

Yeah, I actually like that size. Perfect when you only want to have “a couple” of regular strength beers.

I lived in Massachusetts for a short while and took a liking to the 16oz “bar bottle” returnables of Stegmaier*. Cheap enough ($7.99 or so) and reminded me enough of the “classic American pilsners” of the Midwest that I had grown up with.

Still, even with those states that have a robust Deposit and Return system in place, the recycling craze seems to have gained the upper hand.

*The Lion definitely did dismantle their returnable line.

 

Cans are great for many beers but, like newspapers, they have a “disposable” quality. Today’s breaking headline is used to wrap tomorrow’s fish.

Some beers are simply unimaginable in cans. Orval, Cantillon, Westmalle Tripel come to mind. So while cans may be on the rise, bottles will always have a place as far as I’m concerned.

 

I prefer cans, but most of the time I don't have a choice.