Beer in Green Bottles

People have cherished beer as a drink for hundreds of years. Even though there are many different kinds of beer available, green bottles are frequently seen when perusing the racks at the liquor store. But have you ever wondered why some beer brands are packaged in green bottles? 

In this article, we will take a deeper look at the history of green bottle beer companies, analyze the pros and disadvantages of green bottle packaging, and uncover some of the most popular green bottle beer brands available in the market today. Join us as we uncover the mysteries behind beer in green bottles and learn what the deal is with this unique packaging.

History of Glass Beer Bottles

The history of glass beer bottles dates back thousands of years. Glass making has been around since 3000 BC in Mesopotamia, with the word “glass” originating from the word “glaze,” an opaque ceramic material fired at high temperatures.

In the early days of land pottery, ceramic beer bottles were used to store and transport beer, made of clay or earthenware and sometimes decorated with intricate designs. These were used until the early 20th century when glass bottles became more popular.

Prior to the beginning of the 19th century, the pontil mark dominated the base of the bottle, and in England through the 1840s and 1850s in America and France, glass houses identified their flasks by side-lettering the molds. By the 1880s, whiskey, beer, pharmaceuticals, and fruit jars were identified on the base of the bottles or jars.

In terms of beer bottle colors, brown glass is made using sulfur, carbon, and iron salts in glass production, while green glass is colored using iron (II) oxide, which is primarily used as an industrial coloring agent. The reason behind the use of green glass bottles for beer dates back to World War II when brown glass was reserved for medical supplies, and green glass was available for beer bottles.

The pleasure of drinking beer may now be improved with the use of various glasses, such as tulip glasses and pilsner glasses. The tastes and fragrances of various varieties of beers are intended to be enhanced by the various styles of glasses.

What is the Green Beer Bottle Brands?

There are several well-known beer brands that come in green bottles. Heineken, which was introduced in 1873, is a Dutch pilsner and one of the most popular green bottle beers available in over 170 countries. Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Stella Artois, a Belgian pilsner-style beer, is another well-known beer brand that comes in green bottles. 

Other green bottle beer brands include Rolling Rock, which was introduced in 1939, Becks, introduced in 1873, and Peroni, which was introduced in 1846.

While the color of the glass has no immediate effect on the flavor of the beer, prolonged sun exposure can change the beer’s flavor. Darker bottles can help prevent this, and while green bottles are not as effective at protecting beer from light exposure as brown bottles, they can still provide some protection.

In addition, the tradition of green beer is also associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Although the origins of green beer are unclear, it is believed that the first mention of green beer can be traced back to a 1910 mention in the Spokane Press, and in 1914, Doctor Thomas Hayes Curtin made green beer for a St. Patrick’s Day event in the Bronx that he was serving as toastmaster for.

• Japanese beer in green bottles: Kirin and Orion.
• American beer in green bottles: Rolling Rock, Dos Equis.
• Canadian beer in green bottles: Molson Breweries, Canada Dry. 
• Chinese beer in green bottles: Tsingtao, Beijing Yanjing
• German beer in green bottles: Beck’s, Spaten.

Why Are Beer Bottles Green?

Beer bottles come in different colors, most commonly green and brown. The color of the beer bottle plays a vital role in shielding the beer from light damage, which can result in chemical reactions and impair the beer’s flavor and quality. 

Green beer bottles are colored using iron (II) oxide, which is primarily an industrial coloring agent and was, therefore, more widely available than sulfur, which is used to make brown glass, and was a critical war resource during World War II. Hops, one of the main ingredients in beer, can react with high-energy light, leading to a reaction that produces an undesirable “skunky” flavor in beer. 

Brown bottles help prevent this reaction by shielding the beer from light. All glass bottles were green in the middle of the 19th century because glass manufacturing was less sophisticated than it is now. However, as glass-making technology improved, beer companies started using brown bottles to protect beer from light damage and prevent “skunky” flavors. Although brown is the most popular color for beer bottles nowadays, many beers still come in green bottles.

Does the Color of Beer Bottles Affect the Taste of Beer?

Beer fans have debated whether the color of beer bottles affects the flavor of the beverage. Several reports claim that the beer’s quality might vary depending on the color of the bottle. Brown beer bottles are said to be about four times more effective at protecting the beer from UV light, compared to green and clear bottles. When exposed to sunlight, beer can become skunked, and green bottles are the most susceptible to skunking.

Some sources, however, contend that the hue of the glass has no real bearing on the flavor of the beer. It is the exposure to sunlight over time that can affect the beer’s flavor, and darker bottles can help prevent this. Green bottles won’t significantly alter the flavor of the beer, even if they might not be as successful as brown bottles at shielding the beer from sunlight.

The type of grain used in the brewing process is one of the most crucial factors that determine the flavor and color of the beer. Lighter beers tend to be smoother and crisper, whereas darker beers tend to be stronger and more bitter.

In summary, the color of beer bottles can affect the taste of beer, but only in the case of exposure to sunlight, which can make the beer skunk. Brown bottles are generally considered more effective in protecting beer from sunlight. Beer experts remind out that the key factor in deciding the flavor of the beer is not the color of the bottle. The type of grain used in the brewing process has a stronger impact on the color and flavor of the beer.