Nothing beats the feeling of cracking open a can of your own homebrew! Until recently canning beer was out of reach for most homebrewers, that is why we’re excited to launch our new hombrew canning category that will help you get started canning beer at home today.
The process is very similar to bottling, except you use a Can Seamer and Lid instead of a Bottle Capper and Crown Cap to seal the vessel. Simply purge the sanitized Can with cO2, fill it with your finished beer, then place and seam the Lid. It’s that easy to start enjoying your fresh homebrew in a Can! Why we love Cans: First off they are lighter to carry and shatterproof so you can enjoy them by the pool, camping, etc and won’t have to worry about them breaking.
Being lighter & shatterproof makes them better for shipping to friends and competitions. They also completely block out light that will skunk your beer and when filled correctly there is close to zero head space in a Can. This will keep your packaged beer fresher for longer.
Contents
- 1 Is it cheaper to make your own beer?
- 2 Is it worth making beer at home?
- 3 How long to ferment beer before bottling?
- 4 What type of beer is easiest to make?
- 5 Why does my beer taste like the can?
- 6 Can you make beer in 2 days?
- 7 Are beer drinkers healthier?
- 8 Is home brewing an expensive hobby?
- 9 Is it cheaper to make your own alcohol?
Is it cheaper to make your own beer?
Is Homebrewing Dangerous? – Brewing beer is like manning an open flamed grill. It’s dangerous if you are careless, forgetful, or have little kids running around. Other than that, it’s a harmless hobby. Whelp, we’ve drifted way off the original topic, but I’m happy to answer any other questions if you’re interested.
How hard is it to brew your own beer?
Everybody who loves beer has at one point considered trying to make their own. And while getting into homebrewing can seem like a daunting and difficult prospect, making your own beer at home is not hard to do, and you can get started with an initial investment of well under $100. Homebrewing has come a long way since President Carter legalized the practice of home fermentation in 1978. It’s not just bearded guys in cargo shorts making murky pints in their bathtubs; the American Homebrewers Assn. (AHA) estimates that there are more than a million homebrewers in America, and the hobby is growing fast as more people discover craft beer. Saturday is ” Learn to Homebrew Day,” and it’s a great excuse to dive into the world of making your own beer. Here are four reasons why you should give it a try. It’s easier than you think Getting started can be as simple as getting an all-in-one kit, and you can start with one sold by the Brooklyn Brew Shop, Kits are available from online retailers and local chains like BevMo! and Total Wine for about $40, and each box has nearly everything you need to brew about a six pack of beer. You’ll just need a stock pot, a funnel, and a few hours to put it all together. A dozen different beer styles are available in kit form, and they are a great way to dip your toe into the hobby before purchasing a bunch of specialty equipment. The actual process of brewing the beer is only as difficult as boiling water, stirring things, and being careful about cleanliness (ask any professional brewer and they’ll tell you 90% of their job is scrubbing things). Once the work is done and you’ve transferred the wort (unfermented beer) into the included glass jug, you just let the yeast do all the hard work, and in a few weeks you’ll have about a gallon of beer to drink! >>Los Angeles craft beer guide Making beer at home is an enduring challenge Homebrewing is one of those simple-to-learn, but difficult-to-master activities that offer endless room for experimentation and process refinement. While it’s easy to make small batches with limited space and equipment, if you’re someone who loves gadgets, gear and hardware, then homebrewing will give you ample opportunities to buy, build and collect all kinds of hardware for bigger and more complicated batches. There’s a reason why so many engineers find homebrewing to be a fulfilling creative outlet. There’s no one right way to make beer, and developing your own techniques, methodologies and recipes can be a lifelong pursuit. You can make new friends The homebrewing community in Southern California is thriving and one of the most developed in the nation.L.A. is home to the nation’s oldest homebrewing club, the Maltose Falcons, and there are a dozen other organizations spread across the Southland. These groups hold meetings, club brew days and offer support and advice for newcomers and veterans alike. Another great aspect of the homebrewing scene in California is just how inclusive and diverse it is. You can visit the AHA’s website to find local homebrewing organizations, If you enjoy entertaining, always having a supply of delicious and unique homemade brews around can also make you pretty popular. You can do it your way Even with the nearly limitless options of flavors and styles of craft beer available, you can’t always find exactly what you’re looking for. Homebrewing lets you build your perfect pint exactly to your own specifications. Can’t find a chocolate-flavored IPA at the beer store? You can make your own. Have a persimmon tree in the backyard? Turn your autumn bounty into your own seasonal ale. Sad that your favorite commercial beer is being retired ? Formulate a homebrew clone version so you can sip on it year-round. ALSO: Looking for some sweet dates? You’re in the right place Dining with an Instagram-worthy view at Alain Ducasse’s Rivea at the Delano Las Vegas Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants, 2015: Where to get tacos and more Mexican food
Why is my beer foaming when canning?
1. Temperature – Temperature of the beer in the bright tank plays an important role in maintaining low DO pickup. Beer that’s too warm (above 35.6°F/2°C) will over-foam and create product waste, whereas beer that’s too cold (below 32°F/0° C) will not create enough foam and cause the lid to sit directly on the can causing high DO pick-up. A proper cap-on-foam aided by tight temperature controls is key for minimizing head space, drastically reducing DO pick-up for minimal Total Packed Oxygen (TPO).
How long does it take to make your own beer?
How Long Does It Take To Brew Your Own Beer? Free Shipping on Most Orders over $59. Learn More » Free Shipping on Most Orders over $59. Learn More » July 1, 2010 Quality Wine & Ale Supply For the beer lover who’s really serious about their suds, there are few things more exciting than getting into the hobby of home brewing. One of the questions every beginning and would be home brewer wants the answer to when they first pick up a beer brewing kit is this: how long is it going to take to go from getting your ingredients prepared to finally uncapping a bottle of your first home brewed beer? It’s hard not to look forward to opening that first bottle of your own homemade beer; but of course, it’s not quite as simple as all that.
- While, it is indeed easy to make your own beer using the kits available at your local home brew and wine making shop, there is of course some patience required (as in, you’ll probably end up paying for some beer from your local liquor store before your home brew is ready to drink).
- Like anything truly great though, your first batch of homemade beer is one of those things that is well worth waiting for.
The time it takes for your beer to go from raw materials to finished, ready to drink beer depends on a number of different factors. Generally, the process takes between four and eight weeks (one to two months). Four weeks is pretty much the least amount of time you’ll have to wait.
The actual process of preparing the ingredients takes only a few hours, but your beer-to-be will need to ferment in your beer brewing kit for at least two weeks (or longer, depending on the type of beer you’re brewing), followed by two weeks of bottle conditioning after you’ve bottled your home brew.
The temperature and the quality of the yeast you’re using to prepare your home brew will also have an impact on the amount of time your beer will take to ferment. While you shouldn’t have to worry about the integrity of your ingredients when you use a beer brewing kit and ready to use packaged ingredients, it’s important to remember that brewing is both an art and a science.
Your beer will be ready when it’s ready and no sooner –patience is all part of being a home brewer. Once you’ve bottled your first batch, you can always start on the next one so that you’re always stocked with a supply of great tasting home brewed beer. This will make waiting for the next batch to be finished a little easier to bear.
There is one very important thing you need to do first – even assuming that you have an all in one kit which includes all of the beer brewing ingredients you need to get your first brew going. Before you do anything else, you need to thoroughly wash and sanitize all of your brewing equipment.
It may be brand new, but even the smallest amount of contamination can mean ruined beer – and that’s the last thing you want to happen with your very first foray into the exciting world of home brewing. After preparing your ingredients for brewing (which will only take an hour or two), it goes into your fermentation vessel, where it will be very active for the next couple of days, followed by another ten days or so of slower fermentation.
Total fermentation time is about two weeks, so factor this into the total wait. After your beer has completed its first fermentation, you’ll need to bottle your brew after adding priming sugar (or if you want to save a little time and trouble, carbonation tablets).
- Once the bottles are capped, you’ll need to store them somewhere dark at room temperature for at least two weeks and perhaps as long as a month for bottle conditioning.
- During this time, a small amount of secondary fermentation occurs as the remaining yeast in your brew converts the sugars from your priming sugar into carbon dioxide; if you don’t wait long enough during this step, you could end up with flat beer.
Different styles of beer may take slightly more or less time to ferment and do better with longer or shorter periods of bottle conditioning. For instance, ales generally do not take more than two weeks to be ready to drink after leaving your beer brewing kit for bottles.
- Lagers do best with four to six weeks of conditioning after being bottled.
- If you simply can’t wait, it’s OK to try them after two weeks, but many beers do benefit from a longer conditioning.
- Admittedly, home brewing does include a lot of waiting, but once you take your first sip, you’ll agree that it was worth it.
Once you taste your handiwork, you’ll no doubt want to start on your next batch right away so that you’ll never be without fresh, home brewed beer ever again. If you want to stay on top of Quality Wine & Ale Supply’s newest content, then: : How Long Does It Take To Brew Your Own Beer?
Is it worth making beer at home?
The Cost of Homebrewing Kits – The cost of homebrewing entirely depends on how you wish to craft your beer. If you wish to craft cheaper beer than what you find in the local store that is entirely possible, but it will limit you substantially. The truth is that homebrewing won’t save you a fortune unless you don’t mind drinking very low-quality beer.
You can save money in the long run, but that requires you to make a commitment and not quit after a few batches. When talking actual numbers in terms of cost of homebrewing your own beer, the prices vary a lot. If you are just starting there are kits online priced at between 5-10 USD. The price then increases as the kits get more advanced all the way up to several thousand USD.
Advanced quality equipment is more expensive, but not necessary for hobby brewers Here is an example of a low-cost brewing kit from Amazon, This kit crafts up to 1 gallon at a time. If you feel you are ready to craft larger and more advanced batches then the next step could be a kit like this one,
In this kit, you have more tools to work with and can make up to 5 gallons at a time. If you want to check out some nice home brew kits for beginners check out My Blog Post About The Best Home Brewing Kit For Beginners. The reason for this big price jump is the increase in quality of the equipment, and the potential acquirement of add-ons for the kits to make a more advanced beer-making process that gives you a better and more personal beer in the end.
Some of the starter kits are very straight forward, with all the equipment and ingredients provided and a clear instruction manual for the entire process. But if you want to make a more personal beer, you have to acquire a kit that allows you to mix whatever grains and herbs you want.
Is beer profitable?
Average Brewery Revenue The profit margin on beers and ales is typically around 45%, while the profit margins for restaurants range from 3% to 15%. Luckily, with both a restaurant and brewery, you can strike a lucrative balance between the profits of your taproom and brews.
How long to ferment beer before bottling?
So, How Long Does It Take To Ferment Beer Before Bottling? – The fermentation process can take anywhere from one week to a couple of months before your batch of beer is ready to be bottled. In most cases, this process will take two weeks, but there are several factors to consider when determining the right amount of time to ferment the beer.
- 1- The first major factor to consider is the type of vessel – or number of vessels – you’re using to ferment the beer.
- Some people prefer to use a single vessel when fermenting, but others feel more comfortable using both a primary and secondary vessel when fermenting the beer.
- 2- The second major factor to consider is the type of beer you’re trying to ferment.
Not only do you have the choice between an ale and a lager, but it can also be classified as a light, amber, or dark type of ale or lager. Believe it or not, both have completely different fermentation processes. In general, ales require a shorter fermentation process, while lagers require a longer fermentation process.
How long does it take to ferment beer?
The short answer is that, on average, it takes about four hours to brew beer, one to two weeks to ferment and condition, two hours to package in bottles, and one to two weeks to naturally carbonate in bottles.
How much does it cost to start brewing?
Even microbreweries or small operations cost at least $250,000 to open. For larger breweries with more varied craft beer offerings, startup costs can reach as high as $2 million. On average, the cost to start a brewery is in the range of $500,000 to $1.5 million.
Can you ferment beer too long?
It’s happened to the best of us. You brew then get busy and totally forget about bottling your beer! You may think it’s no good and should toss it, but hold a sec! We break down how long is too long in this week’s episode. So let’s paint a picture, you brew an awesome Mr.
- Beer recipe, but then life gets busy.
- You forget you brewed a batch and then one night you’re sitting there and you realize that your beer has been sitting there for 4 weeks! It’s happened to all of us.
- Things come up and bottling your homebrew is just not a priority at the moment.
- A common question we get is from people that have left their beer for to long and are thinking about dumping it.
Before you ever dump your beer always try it. You may think something is bad but when you taste it you could be surprised. It could be totally fine, or if you did get some type of infection it could be a good one that turns your beer into a nice sour! For brewing with Mr.
Beer, we always recommend that you bottle your beer no later than 24 days in the fermenter. You can go longer but the longer your beer sits the more chance you have to get an infection and get off-flavors in your beer. The 24-day mark has always worked well for us. We have gone over in some cases but mostly by a few days.
If I had to put a date on it, I would say you want to bottle your beer around 28 days, or if you cannot bottle it then you would want to rack it into a secondary fermenter to get it off the yeast. The main reason you want to get your beer off the yeast is due to Autolysis.
This happens when the yeast cells die and rupture they release several off-flavors into your beer. So getting your beer off the dead yeast will help prevent those flavors from happening. When you have a brew that has succumbed to Autolysis it will have this burnt rubber taste and smell to it and will most likely be undrinkable.
At that point, you would want to toss it. Now I do want to note that you can keep beer in the fermenter for longer. When you have healthy yeast and good temperatures your beer can sit longer and be fine but the longer it goes the chances of infection will increase.
What type of beer is easiest to make?
As a beginner level homebrewer, it can be quite overwhelming to pick a type of beer to start off with. In this blog post, I will go over some of the easiest types of beer to brew to help you pick a beer recipe you can complete without any trouble. What Is the Easiest Type of Beer to Brew? Ale is considered the easiest beer to brew among most homebrewers.
How long does brew your own beer last?
How Long Homebrewed Beer Will Keep – Homebrew keeps well for about a year, and its flavor often continues evolving. The flavor tends to keep improving for a month or two after bottling, stays steady for several months, and then starts to deteriorate and turn stale after about 12 months. Some beers continue to age well even beyond that, especially beers with an ABV of 8% or higher.
Why does my beer taste like the can?
– You ever take a sip of beer and notice a bit of a metallic taste? Sometimes, yes, bordering on the unpleasant? Unless you accidentally poured a pale ale into your loose change jar, there are a few possible culprits behind that tinny, nasty taste. The first makes a lot of sense: contact with metal.
- Believe it or not, this has nothing to do with beer cans, since they’re lined with a polymer coating, the beer never actually comes into contact with the aluminum.
- If you take a sip of beer and notice a metallic flavor, it might actually be coming from the proximity of your nose to the can itself; as you smell the aluminum can and sip the beer, the sensations can be intermingled.
Which is why it’s always a good idea to pour your beer into a glass (plus you get a cool visual that way too). But contact with metal might happen within the brewery itself. Iron and copper are used in the brewing process (the iron tends to come from brewing water).
Why is my home brew so fizzy?
I’ve recently started brewing with extract and my beers have been consistently over-carbonated. What could be the cause? – There are several possibilities, including too much carbonating sugar, bottling too soon, and using poor-quality malt or yeast. Let’s walk through each of these one at a time.
- First, it is possible you are using too much sugar to carbonate the beer.
- For example, a lot of beer kits come with a generic amount of corn sugar (or other sugar) to be used for carbonation.
- It’s not uncommon to see a package of 5 oz (142 g) or more of corn sugar.
- However, to achieve an average level of carbonation on a 5 gal (19 l) batch, you really only need about 4.2 oz (119 g) of corn sugar.
You can also run into similar problems if you try to measure carbonation sugars by volume. Old books often had things such as “2/3 cup of corn sugar” to carbonate. Not surprisingly, corn-sugar density varies depending on source, so 2/3 of a cup could be too much or too little.
To avoid both of these issues, I recommend you calculate the proper weight of sugar needed using software or an online calculator and then weigh the corn sugar (or other sugar) to get an exact amount. Another possibility is that you simply bottled your beer too soon. When you do this, the beer will continue to ferment in the bottle, over carbonating your beer.
Many new brewers are quick to bottle their beer so they can enjoy it. More experienced brewers are a little more patient. Don’t rush to bottle your beer just because the bubbler on the airlock stopped bubbling. Use a hydrometer and make sure you have a stable finishing gravity for at least a few days.
- If you can, give it another week after you think fermentation is done.
- This will give you some extra insurance to make sure fermentation is done before bottling and also aid in developing clarity in your beer.
- Finally, it is possible that the quality of your ingredients led to over-carbonated beer.
- Low quality or older malt extract, for instance, can often ferment and finish much more slowly than fresh malt extract, again leading to continued fermentation in the bottle.
The same can happen if you use poor-quality yeast or an insufficient quantity of yeast. So whenever possible, only brew with high- quality fresh malt extract and a sufficient quantity of fresh yeast. If you have a question for the experts or want to share your expertise, email us at or visit our website at beerandbrewing.com.
Can you make beer in 2 days?
I see fermentation duration questions a lot in forums and homebrewing Facebook groups. It’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are simple guidelines to follow, especially if you want to err on the side of caution. Beer fermentation time is largely dependent on the beer style.
- Just to preface this article, a beer’s time to ferment versus time spent in a fermentation vessel are two separate questions with different answers.
- The short answer: Although most ales ferment in 2-5 days, I always recommend you wait at least 2 weeks before moving to bottles/kegs for the best results.
Lagers on the other hand ferment in 2-3 weeks followed by several weeks or even months to condition. Lagers require a much more rigorous and extended fermentation schedule. Lagers also ferment at much cooler temps (45-55°F.) I’ll be honest, I’ve never actually brewed a lager because I don’t really drink them.
Does homemade beer have alcohol?
The alcohol in beer is a direct result of the yeast eating sugar. As the yeast consumes the sugar in the wort, it creates alcohol and carbon dioxide — the carbon dioxide floats up and out of the beer while the alcohol stays behind and turns the beer boozy. So yes, alcohol is essentially yeast pee.
What is the quickest alcohol to make?
The Easiest Alcohol to Make – Most would consider mead to be the easiest alcohol to make, however as straightforward as it is to make mead it is not the easiest. The easiest alcohol to make is fermenting fruit juice. It is not the highest quality alcohol by any means and may not taste the best, but it will do the trick when you are in a pinch and is very simple to make.
Simply buy a bottle of your favorite fruit juice and a packet of dry yeast. Any fruit juice will work as long as it is 100% pure fruit juice. As for the yeast, it is recommended to visit a homebrew shop to buy it, champagne yeast is what is typically used, however, bakers yeast will also work. You will also need an airlock of sorts to let the CO2 gas created during fermentation out, while not allowing oxygen in.
Since you are going to ferment the alcohol in the juice bottle itself, you can either use a standard homebrew airlock used for making beer or wine as long as you can find a stopper that will fit your juice bottle, or simply use a balloon with a pinhole in it.
- To begin we recommend removing approximately 2oz of the juice from the bottle, which prevents an overflow of what is referred to as krausen (foam) during the fermentation.
- Next, add the yeast, you only need approximately ¼ of a tsp spoon of yeast, you can add more if you want a higher alcohol percentage, however, keep in mind the higher the alcohol the less sweet the finished product will be, this is because the yeast eats the sugars in order to make the alcohol.
Once you have added the yeast, fit the airlock or balloon in place over the mouth of the bottle. Next, place the bottle in a room temperature location in your home and let it ferment. Fermentation should be completed within 4- 7 days. When there is no more activity happening within the bottle it will be ready to drink.
- If you want it to be sparkling or carbonated after it has finished fermenting, put the original lid back on for a few days so the gas can build back up somewhat.
- It is important to make sure fermentation has completed before putting the cap back on or you risk overpressurizing the bottle and having it explode.
When it has finished carbonating, store it in the fridge. When serving we recommend you drink it out of a separate container or glass, this is because there will be a build-up of what is referred to as trub at the bottom of the bottle, pour the liquid slowly and on an angle into your glass so as not to disturb the trub and have it end up in your glass.
Does brewing your own beer smell?
Fruit Aromas – During fermentation, yeast produce fruity aroma and flavor compounds called esters, These aromas might remind you of bananas, or strawberries, or even bubble gum. For some styles of beer, a strong, specific ester production is a trademark.
- The banana aromas from a good German Hefeweizen are completely produced by the yeast, even though some people will insist they blend a Chiquita in every batch.
- American ales often have a character that may not be attributable to any specific fruit, but is just described as “fruity”.
- An ester aroma is not considered a negative character by itself.
The problem with esters comes when they begin to overpower the rest of the beer. If every homebrew you make smells like strawberry bubblegum or freshly cut pineapple, you will want to start making adjustments to the fermentation part of your brewing process.
Are beer drinkers healthier?
– Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage that’s been around for thousands of years. In the United States, a standard beer is 12 ounces (355 mL). Drinking one or two standard beers per day may have positive effects, such as benefits to your heart, better blood sugar control, stronger bones, and reduced dementia risk.
Is home brewing an expensive hobby?
3. Starting Isn’t As Expensive As You Think – Many people seem to have this idea that all sorts of special expensive equipment is needed to start homebrewing. This couldn’t be further from the truth. You can by a “Starter” Equipment kit for around $75, and it will have everything you need to brew your first batch of beer.
- This is a great way to dip your toes into the hobby to see if it’s something you want to proceed with.
- Sure there are other pieces of equipment that are handy to have, that make the brewing life easier, but for your first couple of down and dirty batches of beer a minimalist equipment kit is all you really need.
Plus, maybe a few extras when it comes time to bottle or keg your new creation, but all told you can get all the essentials you need for under 100 dollars.
Can you save money making your own beer?
Homebrewing to save money on beer is a bit like buying a fishing boat to save money on fish. Don’t expect to save money for a while after starting up your home brewery. If your aim is to save money you need to acquire expensive equipment for large batches, to save money by making large batches at a time.
Is it cheaper to make your own alcohol?
2. IT’S EASY. – Really, we promise. Making your own wine is easier than you think. In fact, many find it easier than brewing your own beer. Most wine-making kits come with step-by-step instructions to follow. The basics won’t take you long to master, and once you have them down, you can start experimenting and playing with more complicated winemaking recipes and formulas.
Are beer making kits worth it?
YES! Beer kits produce delicious craft beer. You’ll be surprised just how good homebrewed beer will taste!
Is it cheaper to bottle or can beer?
When you’re running a business, margins are important to success in a capitalist market, and at the same time, being environmentally friendly is a priority for many brewers. But what goes in bottles, and what should be canned? What makes consumers choose a bottle over a can and vice versa? A couple of breweries gave their insights into the goings on inside their own breweries.
- At Ecliptic Brewing, an Oregon brewery, an individual bottle will cost a consumer $3.99 and a six-pack of cans goes for $10.49 within the All the Time and Seasonal Series options.
- Of course the $10.49 six-pack is technically a better price point for consumers at $1.74 a can, but bottles are better for a true single serving experience, explained Sales Manager Erin Grey Kemplin, since the cans are only sold in a 4, 6, and 12 packs.
“Bottles are also good for anything that may be a bit higher in ABV or with Belgian yeast because we have found beer ages better in glass,” Kemplin said. The other side of the equation is that bottles are breakable, so consumers won’t want to take them on outdoor adventures, whereas cans are lighter and more adventure-friendly.
However, some cans still have BPA in their lining. Exposure to BPA can be a concern because it can lead to possible health effects, though the FDA has said BPA is safe at very low levels. When choosing whether to bottle or can, Ecliptic takes into account the style of the beer as well as the cost of the product.
That’s used to determine the series and packaging of each beer the brewery produces. For Double Mountain Brewery, with taprooms in Hood River and Portland, Oregon, the upsides of bottles outweigh the initial higher cost to the brewery. Cans are cheaper on the initial buy-in, but they’re not reusable, which in turn actually makes them more expensive than bottles.
“Cost and quality are the ultimate drivers for breweries to choose refillable glass. In terms of production equipment, canning lines are also more expensive capital investments than traditional bottling lines,” Marketing Director for Double Mountain Hames Ellerbe said. A canning line can cost significantly more than a bottling line, but will require fewer employees to run.
However, some manufacturers require a higher initial can purchase than they require of bottles, which can be hard for small brewers to afford. One way to offset this investment is to order blank cans and send them off to be shrink wrapped individually or label them in house according to the different types of beer going in them.
- Glass bottles arrive blank, which factors into the lower cost, and bottle labeling machines are cheaper than shrink sleeve labelers for cans.
- In 2018, President Donald Trump’s administration announced a 10% tariff on aluminum imports.
- With the beer industry relying heavily on aluminum, it increased the manufacturing costs for American brewers.
The tariff has since been exempted for Mexico and Canada, brining aluminum costs back down to pre-tariff levels. Ellerbe said there is a misconception that the excess weight, breakage, and additional space used in shipping actually increases the carbon footprint of refillable glass.
However, taking these factors into account, the carbon footprint is still lower than cans. “Even though refillable bottles are designed to be used up to 25 times or more, even the first single use of a refillable glass bottle creates a smaller carbon footprint compared to cans,” Ellerbe explained. On the consumer side, bottles and cans are relatively the same price for most craft beer.
“The large mega breweries with the ability of scale can produce cans more cheaply and that has been passed onto to lesser prices for mega beer in cans,” Ellerbe said. “That being said, consumers are able to purchase a more sustainable container with refillable bottles.” Bottles keep a better quality of beer because they have less dissolved oxygen, and Double Mountain recently invested in a CO2 catch system, which allows the brewery to reuse much of the CO2 used in the brewing process.
- Double Mountain’s mission is to support sustainability, and with bottles, they feel consumers get a better taste with less waste.
- Similarly to cans, dark brown-colored bottles provide great light protection.
- Bottles are more environmentally friendly, with a 90% smaller carbon footprint than cans.
- Hence, the choice for Refillable Bottles, which may be reused an average of 25 times, have a 90% lower carbon footprint than cans, do not contain a plastic lining, and have less dissolved oxygen, providing superior taste,” Ellerbe said.
“Accordingly, this is a no brainer, as we consistently strive for a more sustainable future, which, along with numerous other projects, why we covered the roof of our 27,000-square foot warehouse with solar panels two years ago.”