Why are beer bottles only green or brown?

[Lysander]

Sitting here having a Grolsch and I just noticed that the bottle's green. OK, I noticed that years ago but I started thinking about it now.

Why are beer bottles only green or brown [or clear in the case of the lighter beers, but they don't count ]. What a strange choice of colours. Does anyone know the answer?

 

[theo]

because the general poo like colour is off putting?

all in my opinion of course

 

[G-MAN2004]

I've always thought it was to protect it from light (which I assume affects the taste).

EDIT: From Wikipedia:

Dark glass prevents light from spoiling the beer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_bottle

 

[Things change I've changed]

I've always thought it was to protect it from light (which I assume affects the taste).

did you know that off by heart, I just did a quick google and was about to post pretty much word for word what you posted lol, anway yes apparanty it is to help keep the beer cooler.

 

[G-MAN2004]

did you know that off by heart, I just did a quick google and was about to post pretty much word for word what you posted lol, anway yes apparanty it is to help keep the beer cooler.

Yes, I think we did something about it at school (not sure to be honest). I never knew why they have both green and brown coloured bottles though. Why not just stick to one?

 

[Lysander]

Yes but why green and brown specifically? Are those colours easier to reproduce or recycle? Why not maroon, grey or dark blue?

 

[I_Am_Vengeance]

Ah, so thats why Sol tastes so bad. Clear bottle, repulsive taste, makes sense.

 

[G-MAN2004]

People are used to seeing brown bottles of beer, and new beers that are marketed in bottles that are any color besides green or brown have a hard time being successful.

http://www.professorshouse.com/food-beverage/wine-and-spirits/why-are-beer-bottles-brown.aspx

That's the nearest I can get to an answer.

 

[HangTime]

I guess brown kinda makes sense because beers are traditionally brown-ish in colour, so in the early days of bottled beer it was probably less off-putting to customers.

 

[Zefan]

Light beer tastes disgusting anyway so they don't need to stop it spoiling

 

[Toryglen-boy]

i thought bottles where colour coded of sorts?

kinda so you knew what was supposed to be in them?

 

[Tommy B]

I can imagine it's to prevent light from ruining the beer but it also looks better than transparent or clear glass. Makes the product look (and mentally taste) better.

 

[Toryglen-boy]

I can imagine it's to prevent light from ruining the beer but it also looks better than transparent or clear glass. Makes the product look (and mentally taste) better.

i drink Corona ....

thats in clear bottles?

 

[Zefan]

i drink Corona ....

thats in clear bottles?

Yes but it's refrigerated nowadays so there's no need for it to be in green/brown bottles. Read the link posted above, it's quite informative.

 

[nutcase]

Spitfire comes in clear bottles, and that's a fine beer unlike the likes of Corona, Sol etc.

 

[danza]

Innis and Gunn sell a beer in a clear bottle. Never tried it though. Most do come in brown bottles, and some in green.

 

[Angus-Higgins]

I think it is to annoy colour-blind people when they want to recycle the bottles.

(I always have the problem of telling which of the bottles are brown, and which are green).

Angus Higgins

 

[A.N.Other]

That link said what I was told a while ago, though I didn't figure the bit with refrigeration. And it can't be completely correct, as a fair number of ales come in clear bottles nowadays - surprising when you go looking for it actually. The likes of Fursty Ferret etc. So there must also have been an improvement in a) the seals they use now b) sterilisation of equipment and bottles before bottling to stop the beer going funny.

That or no modern beer sits around anywhere near long enough to go off before it gets drunk, so brewers really couldn't care less.

 

[Rotty]

i drink Corona ....

thats in clear bottles?

and as such it taste like pee

 

[Tefal]

Yes but it's refrigerated nowadays so there's no need for it to be in green/brown bottles. Read the link posted above, it's quite informative.

I still find Zefans name above that picture deeply disturbing