[Bel Air Brewing]

What beer bottles are allowed for BJCP type contests?

Can we use bottles from a commercial brewery, such as Boston Beer Co.?

My local store can't get any bottles...COVID-19, saying the breweries are buying them up.

Yes, I would remove the labels first. But there is a number embossed in the bottom of the bottle. Do all bottles have these type of numbers? Is this acceptable?

[mainebrewer]

From the comps I've judged, I've seen pretty much every kind of beer bottle.
But the kind of bottle and any restrictions are up to the organizers of the comp.

[Wilbur]

Like Mainebrewer said, it's up to the organizer. I'd just email them if you have any questions, everyone I've talked to has always gotten back to me really quickly.

From the BJCP Handbook:

Bottle Size – 10 to 14 ounce bottles are standard so as to increase the convenience of
storing them in standard beer case boxes. Any size or shaped bottles that do not easily fit
in standard case boxes are generally not allowed; oversize bottles are difficult to store and
may lead to breakage. However, large (16 oz., 22 oz. or 750ml) bottles are often accepted
for meads, ciders and some beer styles. Any lettering or graphics on the caps should be
completely obscured with a black marker so as to maintain anonymity. Raised lettering
on the bottles is not typically a problem, and the color of the bottle should not matter, as
long as they do not obviously associate an entry with a specific brewer. Some
competitions do not allow swing-top bottles to be used. Some competitions accept beer in
any size container, which benefits brewers who keg their beer.

[allenhuerta]

From the comps I've judged, I've seen pretty much every kind of beer bottle.
But the kind of bottle and any restrictions are up to the organizers of the comp.

Same. I say as long as it's brown and not a twist, you'll generally be ok. I personally avoid Sam's and New Belgium bottles but I've judged tables with them.. I guess I just want mine to be as plain as possible.

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[Oiscout]

Can you use swing tops?

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[Andy Farke]

I often use the Anchor bottles, because their sides are plain, and the labels slip off super easy. Never any issues on the competition side.

[denny]

Can you use swing tops?

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I believe those would be too large size wise.  Also I'm not sure I'd trust the tops in shipping

[Bel Air Brewing]

Thanks for the feedback!

I can buy a case of beer (Boston Lager) for around $24. That's $1/bottle. No shipping charges.

Or I can order a case of empty bottles online from a brew supplier for about 45 bucks with shipping.

That's a no-brainer!

[Oiscout]

Can you use swing tops?

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I believe those would be too large size wise.  Also I'm not sure I'd trust the tops in shipping

I mail my brother beer from PA to georgia no problem I just throw some tape on top

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[Oiscout]

But I don't know what judges think of all that

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[allenhuerta]

But I don't know what judges think of all that

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As an organizer, I wouldn't allow it but each competition has their own rules.

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[denny]

Can you use swing tops?

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I believe those would be too large size wise.  Also I'm not sure I'd trust the tops in shipping

I mail my brother beer from PA to georgia no problem I just throw some tape on top

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Good to know. I still think they'd be too big.  For storage reasons, they need to be the size of a 12 oz. bottle.

[Oiscout]

But I don't know what judges think of all that

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As an organizer, I wouldn't allow it but each competition has their own rules.

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What would be the reasoning too big? Or they don't want your bottle to be distinguishable between the other entries?

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[erockrph]

But I don't know what judges think of all that

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As an organizer, I wouldn't allow it but each competition has their own rules.

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What would be the reasoning too big? Or they don't want your bottle to be distinguishable between the other entries?

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Most of the swing tops I've seen are generally 22oz and wouldn't fit in a standard 6 pack or case. The smaller Zum Uerige ones might work.

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[allenhuerta]

But I don't know what judges think of all that

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As an organizer, I wouldn't allow it but each competition has their own rules.

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What would be the reasoning too big? Or they don't want your bottle to be distinguishable between the other entries?

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I had enough issues with the competition we cancelled this summer, but the call was pretty basic. 12oz brown and crowned bottles. Just the way I put it out. Don't really want to deal with them. Storage or size concerns aside.

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