Empty Beer Bottles: Where To Buy Them?

There are several options available for those looking to purchase empty beer bottles. Online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart offer a variety of empty beer bottles in different sizes, colours, and pack quantities. Alternatively, local breweries, pubs, or liquor stores may be willing to give away or sell their empty bottles, and some people choose to collect bottles from friends or recycle bins.

Online: Amazon, eBay, Craigslist, etc

If you're looking to buy empty beer bottles online, there are several options to choose from. Here's a detailed guide to help you find the best sources:

Amazon

Amazon offers a wide range of empty beer bottles for various purposes, including home brewing. You can find different sizes, such as 12 oz, 16 oz, and 22 oz bottles. Some popular options include:

• FastRack 24-Pack 12oz Amber Longneck Glass Beer Bottles
• YEBODA 16 oz Amber Glass Beer Bottles with Flip Caps, Case of 6
• North Mountain Supply 12 Ounce Long-Neck Amber Beer Bottles - Case of 24

EBay

EBay is another great option for finding empty beer bottles. You can often find unique and rare bottles on eBay, including vintage and collectible options. Keep an eye out for listings that include multiple bottles, such as:

• Case of 20 Empty Grolsch Swing Top Green Glass Beer Bottles
• Vintage Beer Bottles, Empty Liebotshaner Cream Ale and Standard Dry Ale
• Rare Heineken, Lowenbrau, and Yuengling Empty Beer Bottles

Craigslist

Craigslist is a popular platform for local classifieds, and you may find people selling or giving away empty beer bottles. Keep an eye on the "for sale" section of your local Craigslist page, or consider posting a "wanted" ad to see if anyone in your area has bottles available.

Other Options

In addition to the major online retailers, don't forget to check out other websites like Letgo, OfferUp, and specialty brewing supply stores. These sites often have a variety of empty bottles for sale, and you might be able to find some great deals.

When purchasing empty beer bottles online, be sure to compare prices, read reviews, and consider the intended use. Whether you're a homebrewer, collector, or simply need bottles for a specific event, there are plenty of options available to choose from.

Local breweries or pubs

If you're looking to buy empty beer bottles, a good place to start is your local breweries or pubs. Here are some tips and suggestions for acquiring empty beer bottles from these sources:

Local Breweries:

Local breweries can be a great source for empty beer bottles, and there are a few approaches you can take. Firstly, you can simply ask the brewery if they sell or give away their empty bottles. Some breweries may be happy to sell you their empty bottles, especially if they have a high turnover of bottled beer. It's worth noting that you may need to clean and de-label these bottles yourself. Alternatively, you could offer to return or recycle their empty bottles in exchange for a few fresh ones. This way, you can get your hands on some empty bottles while also helping the brewery with their sustainability efforts.

Another strategy is to build a relationship with the brewery by becoming a regular customer. Frequent their taproom, attend their events, and get to know the staff. You could then politely ask if they have any spare bottles they could give you or if they know of any homebrewers who might be looking to give away their bottles. Sometimes, breweries have connections with homebrew clubs or individuals who are always looking to offload their empty bottles.

Pubs:

Pubs and bars are another excellent source for empty beer bottles. Similar to breweries, you can simply ask the staff if they have any empty bottles they don't need. Many pubs go through a large number of bottles, and they may be willing to let you take some off their hands, especially if you explain that you're a homebrewer. It is important to note that you may need to offer to pay a small fee or bottle deposit, and cleaning and de-labelling may be required.

Additionally, you can try to find pubs that sell craft beers or have a rotating selection of seasonal beers. These establishments often receive unique bottles that are more interesting or aesthetically pleasing than standard beer bottles. By timing your visit to when they're switching out their seasonal offerings, you may be able to get your hands on some varied and attractive empty bottles.

Remember, when approaching breweries or pubs, it's essential to be polite and respectful. Explain your purpose for needing the bottles, whether it's for homebrewing, crafts, or some other project. Building a good relationship with these businesses can often lead to a steady supply of empty beer bottles.

Local stores: Walmart, Home Brew Ohio, etc

Walmart stocks a variety of bottles, including a case of 24 12oz amber beer bottles. These bottles are sold and shipped by Home Brew Ohio and are available for free shipping.

Home Brew Ohio also offers a range of beer bottles on their website. You can find 12oz crown cap amber longneck bottles in cases of 24, as well as 22oz bottles in cases of 12. They also provide a FastRack Homebrew Beer Bottle Drying Rack that can hold up to 24 12oz bottles, making it convenient for storing and transporting your empty bottles.

Additionally, Home Brew Ohio has a selection of liquor bottles with corks, such as the Morgantown and Oregon bottles, which come in sets of 6 or 12. They also offer the Moonea and Liberty liquor bottles with similar quantity options.

It is worth noting that Home Brew Ohio provides free shipping for orders over $99.99 within the Continental United States.

Friends and family

If you're looking to buy empty beer bottles, there are a few options you can consider. Firstly, why not ask your friends and family to save their empty beer bottles for you? This can be a great way to get some for free, and you can offer to return the favour or give them some of your home-brewed beer in exchange. You could also ask your local bars and pubs for their empties, or check out package stores and liquor stores, which may have old returnables. Some people on forums have suggested that you could even try asking nicely at your local bar or liquor store, and perhaps buy a six-pack, and you may be able to purchase their empties for a small fee.

If you're looking to buy new bottles, there are several online retailers that sell empty beer bottles, including Amazon and eBay. You can also try specialist home brewing websites, such as Northern Brewer, which offers a range of different-sized bottles, including 12 oz, 16 oz, and 22 oz options, as well as swing-top bottles. Walmart also offers a 24-pack of 12 oz amber beer bottles, which you can order online.

If you're looking for a particular type of bottle, such as etched or painted ones, you may have more luck finding these online through sites like Craigslist or eBay, or by asking local breweries or pubs if they're willing to keep some for you.

Recyclables from bars or package stores

If you're looking for empty beer bottles, a good place to start is by checking the recyclables from bars or package stores. While it may require a bit of cleaning and de-labelling, it's a cost-effective way to get your hands on some bottles. Start by visiting bars in your area and politely asking the staff if they have any empty bottles you could take off their hands. Explain that you're a home brewer, and don't forget to buy a drink while you're there!

You can also try your luck at package stores, which sometimes have old returnables. It's worth asking around and letting people know that you're happy to give them your homemade brew in exchange for their empty bottles. This approach can be a great way to build connections with fellow beer enthusiasts and ensure a steady supply of bottles for your brewing endeavours.

In some places, like Massachusetts, there is a deposit system for beer bottles and cans. You can return clean, empty deposit bottles to a retailer that sells them or to a redemption centre. Retailers are required to redeem containers at full deposit value, while redemption centres may deduct a small processing fee.

Another option is to keep an eye on sites like Craigslist, where home brewers sometimes offer bottles for free or at a low cost when they switch to kegging. You could also try your local Yellow Pages and look for bottling or distributing companies that might sell old bottles at a discounted price.

So, if you're looking for a cost-effective way to get your hands on some empty beer bottles, don't shy away from recyclables. With a bit of legwork and some friendly conversations, you might just strike gold!

Frequently asked questions