Does bottle style have any effect on the conditioning/aging process?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by AllForAugust, Nov 8, 2013.

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  1. AllForAugust

    AllForAugust Initiate (0) May 24, 2012 New Zealand (Aotearoa)

    Obviously, light permeable bottles are going to skunk the brew quicker. That's not the question here.
    Much like how different glassware enhances the experience of drinking specific styles, does the shape of the bottle effect the the beer at all?
    Does the shape of the bottle direct the yeast movement in a specific way? Is the amount of beer exposed to the air in the bottle accounted for? Is there an advantage to using stubbies vs. longnecks? Why do most weissbeirs come in a tear shaped bottle?
    Or maybe this is just a cultural/traditional thing that dates back to the dawn of specific areas' initial bottle designs?
     
    #1 AllForAugust, Nov 8, 2013
  2. sjverla

    sjverla Initiate (0) Dec 1, 2008 Massachusetts

    The differences are negligible but present in some cases. Most noticeably, the punt at the bottom of 750 mL champagne style bottles is there to provide a lower area for the yeast to settle to - important for some varieties (especially the sour ones).

    The size of the bottle plays a role in oxidation. It's all about surface area-beer ratio. A 22 oz bomber has proportionally less air contact than a 12 oz with a neck of the same size. So the O2 that's in the headspace of a bomber is basically diffused through a greater volume, minimizing the impact.

    I haven't measure and differences in head space with stubbies and longnecks, but they should be just about the same, so I don't think length plays a role. If there is more headspace though, it means there's more room for O2 in the bottle - thus increasing oxidation risk.

    If the weissbeirs you're talking about are imports, I'm guessing that's a cultural thing because they're 500 mL (half a litre) bottles - a convenient, round measurement. I don't think the shape plays a role, other than it's just what's been done for a while.
     
    #2 sjverla, Nov 8, 2013
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  3. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    I have NO proof other than my tastes buds, but Dupont Saison tastes better to me in the 750ml versus the 330ml, I have no idea why and it could be in my head.
     
    #3 azorie, Nov 8, 2013
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