I noticed in an ad that Penn Brewing will begin to bottle their beers
in 22oz bottles. Is this a trend? I like to purchase Yuengling beer in
22oz bottles because it seems to be a more efficient way of selling
the beer. Also two people can share beer like they share wine. I
remember when I visited Quebec City it seemed as if all the beer was
sold in something like 220z bottles.

Tom

wrote:
> I noticed in an ad that Penn Brewing will begin to bottle their beers
> in 22oz bottles. Is this a trend? I like to purchase Yuengling beer in
> 22oz bottles because it seems to be a more efficient way of selling
> the beer. Also two people can share beer like they share wine. I
> remember when I visited Quebec City it seemed as if all the beer was
> sold in something like 220z bottles.

From what I understand, the 22oz bottles are for specialty beers only. The four
standard beers (Pilsener, Gold, Weizen, and Dark) will continue to be sold in
12oz bottles. I heard of plans to bottle the maibock, to be called Penndemonium,
and a dunkelweizen. They brewed a few kegs of a weizenbock and I had a couple
pints at D's, but when I was at the brewery a couple of days ago, the bartender
told me they ran out quickly. If you look through Post-Gazette archives you
might find an article about bock beers from a month ago by Bob Batz where a Penn
rep talks about what will be going into the 22oz bottles.

Another thing I learned is the new owners now have 90% of the business and Tom
Pastorius isn't going to be involved in day-to-day operations. So the new beers
and 22oz bottles come from the new ownership.

Tom W

wrote:
> I noticed in an ad that Penn Brewing will begin to bottle their beers
> in 22oz bottles. Is this a trend?

Yeah, I'd say so.

> I like to purchase Yuengling beer in
> 22oz bottles because it seems to be a more efficient way of selling
> the beer.

"Efficient"? How so? It's less packaging, I suppose- but if that's
efficient, why not go back to the quart bottle? More beer (4- 8 oz.
glasses of beer), even less packaging per ounce.

I can pick up a six pack, 12 pack or even a case of beer with one hand
and carry it to the register easier than I can 3 loose 22 oz. "bombers"-
so where's the "efficiency" in that?

"Use a shopping cart?" You know, when I'm forced to buy single bottles
(12 oz, 16 oz, 500 ml., 750 ml or 22-24 oz.) I find myself ALWAYS buying
less total beer than if I just bought a six pack and those "loose"
bottles just tip over and roll around, knocking against each other in
the bottom of "not designed for glass bottles" chromed-metal shopping
carts.

I like choice and would like to see a variety of packaging, rather than
"either/or" (altho' the fact that shelf space is limited does mean that
some beers are going to be deleted). The "bomber" seems to appeal to
the "quantity (of beer styles/brands I've tasted)" beer "rater" versus
the "quality (I just want to drink good beer)" beer drinker. The
ever-increasing number of higher alcohol beers in bigger bottles just
makes no sense at all to me. The 6-7 oz. bottles of Courage Russian
Imperial Stout, Anchor Old Foghorn and others sure made more sense than
1 and 1/2 liter bottles of HotD "Fred" or bomber/champagne bottles of
10-15% beers.

> Also two people can share beer like they share wine

Is it really that much more work to pop the cap off of *2* bottles? Or
is that somehow not "romantic" or "wine-like/cultured" enough?

I can pick up a six pack, 12 pack or even a case of beer with one
hand
and carry it to the register easier than I can 3 loose 22 oz.
"bombers"-
so where's the "efficiency" in that?

"Use a shopping cart?" You know, when I'm forced to buy single
bottles
(12 oz, 16 oz, 500 ml., 750 ml or 22-24 oz.) I find myself ALWAYS
buying
less total beer than if I just bought a six pack and those "loose"
bottles just tip over and roll around, knocking against each other in
the bottom of "not designed for glass bottles" chromed-metal shopping
carts.

++++++++++++++++++++++

i don't know where you're buying your beer, but here in Western PA
where the Penn Brewery is, you can't buy single bottles, or as you
say, 3 loose 22 oz. bombers to put into a shopping cart to tip over
and roll around. So, as long as it's a packaged case, why do you care
how many ounces are in the bottle, the can, or in the aluminum
bottle??? Augustiner is available in a 18 aluminum bottles of 16
ounces per. And the aluminum bottle is a work of art!!!

tomkanpa wrote:
>
> i don't know where you're buying your beer, but here in Western PA
> where the Penn Brewery is, you can't buy single bottles, or as you
> say, 3 loose 22 oz. bombers to put into a shopping cart to tip over
> and roll around.

Well, the "Pennsylvania exception" is unique in the US, but, as a
neighbor (NJ) who's bought beer in PA for 30+ years, I'm aware of the
case law but I'm also aware of a number of retailers in PA where I can
buy singles and sixpacks (aka "bottle shops"- this is one I visit often
on "my side" of your state
http://www.trentonroadtakeout.com/inventory1.htm ) and I'm always
surprised when PA people say the "can't" buy less-than-case quantities.
Now, if you're talking about *cost*, well, that's another thing...

> So, as long as it's a packaged case, why do you care
> how many ounces are in the bottle, the can, or in the aluminum
> bottle???

Since I'm not buying the majority of my beer in PA., I don't REALLY care
but just was playing devil's advocate to "tombats" pro-22 oz. bottle
post (say, what's with 3 "toms" in this thread...) but, in general, I do
find the "bomber" bottle to be more expensive per. oz., and more
annoying for the reasons I listed...and, in my "old age", I'm getting
annoyed at some segments of the young whippersnapper beer geek culture
(like the fascination with "bomber" bottle). Heck, I'm nostalgic for
the steinie deposit bottle...