Simple question: How do you store a lot of bottles (empty and full) in a small space?
I get a lot of bottles from friends, often arriving to me in 6-packs, and I have some odds and ends (i.e. 500mL, 1L, etc) that really don't fit anywhere. I've tried using milk crates, but they don't really work because the grid doesn't really let a bottle sit flat. Has anybody found a relatively inexpensive solution?
I keep the bottles in 24 bottle cases for my 12oz-ers. And I keep my 22's in a 12 bottle case that they get shipped in. You can get these at your local beer store as most beer is shipped in 6 pack holders in a larger box.
I had a bunch of 1L belgian style bottles that I kept in a rubbermaid bin. But I had to be honest with myself recently and I tossed them out, because I just wasn't ready to use them anytime soon.
So in boxes is a must for stacking, and a bin for oddball sizes. Most importantly is to be honest with yourself whether you'll really use them. Keep you inventory to a reasonable size.
Wine/champagne cartons are useful for the odd sized ones like the squat 500 mL and 1 L bottles, as they are taller and the spaces are wider than typical beer cartons. I get these at grocery stores that stock wine/champagne.
