THE COLOUR OF BOTTLES

This subject is not often covered and never discussed in a pub, to my knowledge anyway 


I was enjoying a bottle of Marstons Pedigree ( birthday present from last year ) the other day and I spotted this on the label :-

Marstons Mark of Quality :- All Marstons beers are bottled in amber glass to avoid unnecessary deterioration sometimes experienced with clear bottles, ensuring the highest possible quality at all times 

Now I was aware of this "phenomenon" , if that's the right word but Ive not seen it printed on any bottles by a brewer before. This got me thinking. 

I received for Xmas just gone a fascinating book called "So You Want To Be A Beer Expert?" by Jeff Evans. This book covers all aspects of beer, including how its brewed, how to taste it and the many styles available. 

One section looks at bottles and the issue of clear glass used. Mention is made of the fact that the taste of a beer   in clear glass bottles can be affected by sunlight. Also  that beer stacked on a supermarket shelf, under bright lights, can be affected in the same way. A quick survey of my nearest supermarket revealed about a quarter of bottles were made from clear glass, some of which were on the top shelf nearest the lights. Hmm..

Now I have to say I have not experienced this so called problem and I don't know anyone who has. I have 37 bottles at home ( how many ? ed). Yes 37 - mostly birthday and Xmas pressies - I'm easy to buy for.  Now, only 3 of them are made from clear glass. Besides they are all stored in a cupboard, so no problems there. Well apart from  the fact Mrs Ken keeps going on about the weight may pull the cupboard off the wall. 

Writing this, I've been trying to recall how I knew about the clear bottle issue, then I remembered. It was a book I was given a couple of years ago called CAMRAs Good Bottled Beer Guide. ( I told you I was easy to buy for ). Anyhow, the author of this guide is non other than.............Jeff Evans. Basically he has recycled some information from this earlier work. 

Having said that, both books are worth a read by the way ; recommended.  

End of part 1, the next one will look at the colour of the stuff that goes in the bottles.

Oh no,  what was that loud crash in the kitchen ?