Using Grolsch “Premium Lager” bottles for bottling

Question

In my first bottling, I decided I wanted to try using half normal reused glass bottles with new bottle caps and half reused Grolsch beer bottles.

Probably the worst part of the process was having to drink the Grolsch beers. They are horrible and half of them were skunky (could it be because of the green bottle versus brown?), and the other half just weren't good at all. What I noticed was that all of the normal bottles that I cleaned and sanitized tasted fine, but the Grolsch bottles tasted skunky, but only at the top of the bottle. Once I had been drinking a little bit further into the bottle, the skunkiness went away. Before I bottled it, it was hard to make sure the cap was fully sanitized. I closed the bottle with the sanitizer in it, and tipped the sanitized solution toward the cap.

Has anyone else noticed this problem with using Grolsch beer bottles? Are they just not a very good bottle to use? I think after my experience, I would not recommend them.

Answer 1

I would fully immerse the bottles in sanitizer to make sure the lids got dealt with adequately, and boil the rubber gaskets in water like you would with normal bottle caps. That should really take care of all the sanitation issues. Due to the bottles being green, I would highly recommend keeping them away from light if at all possible. I have some friends that use these bottles with no ill effects, so I know it can be done.

Answer 2

Green beer bottles lead to light contamination, in my experience.

I do not recommend you use green bottles. If you want bottles with bale stoppers, you can buy them, although they are expensive in comparison to regular bottles.

I know there is a lot of controversy regarding light struck beer. I say why bother risking it. Recycle the Grolsh bottles and be done with it.

Answer 3

I use green Grolsch bottles all the time, without problems. The bottles don't see light until I crack them open. Fill, close, box to carbonate, and then to the firdge.

I leave the cages and ceramic tops on the bottles when soaking in sanitizer, but I boil the gaskets separately, I don't trust a sanitizing solution.

As to the flavor of Grolsch, I guess it's an acquired taste, but that is one of my favorite hot-weather beers, hand down. I buy by the case, so they're enclosed and more protected from UV light, I would imagine.

Answer 4

I use swingtop bottles all the time that are either clear or green. As long as you keep them out of the light they will not skunk the beer. I have found that bottling in 1 liter swingtops takes a fraction of the time that using 12 oz. bottles or even 22's does. I remove the gaskets, run the bottles through the dishwasher with no detergent, and soak the gaskets in starsan or vodka before closing.

Answer 5

Grolsch bottles work fantastically for homebrew apfelwein, since there aren't any hop chemicals to get skunky. And I used to be OCD about sanitizing the gaskets separately, but it dawned on me that a) it's a ton of extra work and b) the amount of handling involved in re-seating the gasket was probably negating the extra work. So I just fill the bottles with sanitizer and shake well. But I just use the Grolsch bottles for the Montrachet & apple juice, not wanting any extra help in having my homebrewed beer come out weird/bad.

Answer 6

I agree with Coyote. I've used Grolsch bottles but have found brown Fischer d'Alsace bottles to be better. The problem is not the stopper, it's the glass.