Another Use for Those Beer Bottles

With a few hundred empties downstairs, I could probably start an orchestra.

That is, if I had any musical talent.

H/T Common Sense Evaluation.

Design Flaw?

What could possibly go wrong?

Not that I typically drink from the bottle anyway.

Found here.

A Razor! Or Not.

Over at Gadgets and Gear they're offering a uniquely shaped bottle opener. The 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" brushed stainless steel tool is designed to look like a double-edge safety razor blade. It's cool looking but what popped into my head was this; how do you think the TSA would react to this in a traveler's bag? The agency's list of prohibited items specifically indicates such a blade as forbidden in carry-on luggage.

But it's not a real razor blade you say. Surely the men and women in the police costumes can recognize that. Don't be so sure. These are the same people who detained a teenager because she had a gun-shaped pattern sewn on her purse.

When traveling I'll stick with my trusty, and obvious, Blue & Gray keychain bottle opener.

Tool or Weapon?

Beer Bottle Chandelier

I guess this qualifies as one of those gifts for the beer fan who has everything. Barlite.com makes beer bottle enhanced sconces and chandeliers. The lights are decorative frames that hold beer bottles which are illuminated from behind. Since you supply the beer bottles, I suppose the colors and designs are limited only by your beer preferences.

They're a little rich for my bank account, but if any of my friends decide to order, I'll be happy to help you furnish it.

See more designs here.

(I have association with the company. Simply reporting what I find interesting.)

A gun! Or not.

Politically incorrect packaging. Of course I like it!

The Rohnert Park Coscto has these gun-shaped bottles of Old Carbine Tequila for sale. It gave me a chuckle that the store featured in the article is in California, a state that is not exactly known as being friendly towards guns, even toy ones. Although in other places, the bottles might not have even ranked a mention.

The big box stores in Virginia don't sell liquor so I won't see these at our local Costco. That's probably a good thing. The $49.99 price tag is better spent on ammo.

Beer Bottle Clock

Created by Stanley Clockworks.

Session #52 - Beer Collectibles & Breweriana

I've been remiss in keeping up with The Session, however the fifty-second episode caught my eye. This month's Session is hosted by Brian Stechschulte at All Over Beer. The chosen topic is Beer Collectibles & Breweriana. Brian writes:

So what old or new beer related items do you collect and why? It’s that simple. This is your opportunity to share the treasured objects your wife or husband won’t let you display on the fireplace mantle. You don’t need to be a major collector like this guy to participate. In my mind, just a few items constitute a collection. Maybe you have mementos from a beer epiphany or road trips? You can focus on a whole collection or tell the story behind a single item.

I opted to focus on the "new beer related items" for my post. For several years I've been saving beer bottles. Unlike the beer can collection I built as a kid, I was able to actually consume the contents in building this collection. I can't explain this compulsion, I keep telling myself I'll soak off the labels someday and to store in albums that take up much less room. But that hasn't happened. There are over 400 bottles now, and with each addition that task gets more daunting. I do enjoy looking through the bottles on occasion. Many of them bring back memories of friends, trips, or other good times. Even the ones from beers enjoyed at home often bring back memories of holidays or good foods enjoyed. In some cases I can trace changes in labels or brewery ownership.

I won't keep the assemblage forever. The shelves are filling (not to mention in need of dusting.) But, as long as there's room to squeeze in another bottle, it will keep likely growing.

Update: The Session roundup is posted here.

Old Dominion Brewing - The Bottles

I have been saving beer bottles for many years. There are several hundred bottles on shelves in our basement. While looking at them recently, I was struck by some of the changes in labels from some of our favorite breweries. I'll be posting pictures of parts of the collection in the future.

First up, Old Dominion Brewing Company. This is not representative of every beer produced by Old Dominion, but you can see some of the label variety. Note the Spring Buck, Ale, Lager, and Oak Barrel Stout label changes. Yes, that's a Dominion Ginger Ale bottle.

I hope you will enjoy seeing the variety of craft beer labels and bottles. At the very least, I'll have an excuse to get the bottles down and dust them off!

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Saving beer bottles

Yes, I save beer bottles. Actually just one of each new beer I try. I started mid-2006 and have around 175 currently. I don't collect bottles from beers I don't drink. I occasionally will bring home bottles from restaurants or trips, but most of these were beers had at home. It's fun to look through the bottles from time to time and reminisce about the beers, or the occasion when they were enjoyed. Sure, most beers bottles are the same except for the labels, and saving just the labels would take less space. But, my basement is unfinished right now, so it's easy to keep a couple of industrial shelves up and store the bottles. I've put pictures of the bottles here. The pictures are about a month old and the collection is not static by any means. :-) The bottles are in multiple rows, so it's hard to see the ones in the back.

Someday we'll finish the basement and have to cull out the common ones, but for now it's a pastime I can indulge in freely.