XXXX

[retro8ball]

I have discovered a shit load of old XXXX beer bottles, they are the ones with the castlemaine man on them. They are in original XXXX boxes. Are these good for home brew? There are dates on the boxes 1979-1980. All bottles are in good nic! Are they rare?

[Daron]

Washe 'em, fill 'em, drink 'em! No doubt they're stronger and would make a great talking point as you neck them.

[Oliver]

These types of bottles are the absolute finest for homebrew. They are strong and sturdy. I've got about 300 of the buggers and have never broken one, and I've even dropped a few.

They're probably not worth much and aren't particularly rare, but are priceless to a homebrewer.

However, the fact that they're in their original bottles might add some value.

Out of interest, how many did you find, and where?

Cheers,

Oliver

[silkworm]

I've been looking for these bottles on e-bay and they seem to fetch quite a good price. About $1 each for twist tops and more for your old style.
Good score!

[Aussie Claret]

Silk,
I scored 180 twist top xxxx long necks for $40 on ebay, the older crown seals fetch a higher price.
AC

[retro8ball]

I found about 150... i found them under a post war home.
Yeah they are the older crown seal style! ...The dates on them are only written on, with nico pen..I'm not sure what year they were produced, but i'd like to find out! Oliver are yours crown style?

[Oliver]

Fortunately, all of my homebrew bottles are the crown-seal type. My XXXX bottles are some of the last of the crown-seal types, when they were a bit thinner than they had been in their heyday.

You're a lucky man, Retro. What a find!

Depending on the year of manufacture, some may have a code or date (maybe just a year) embossed on the bottom. Some Pickaxe bottles (South Australia's XXXX equivalent) have the date embossed on them. Most don't, unfortunately.

Oliver

[beermeister]

I'm just drooling, thinking of all those King Browns. What a relic.

BM

[retro8ball]

Well ive got them all out from under the house. Some of them have CUB stamped on them, same crown seal type. CUB would stand for Calton United Brewery! wouldnt it?
They have alot of dirt in them. What is the best way too clean these bottles? .. These bottles and your respones have sparked up an interest in me starting my own home brew!...Thanks!! Looks like i'll have an advantage by the sound of the wrap you guys give these King Browns! thanks for that phrase beermeister !

[gregb]

Retro,

Your local HBS should have a bottle washing powder called 'Neo Pink' or 'Pink Stain Remover'. With a bit of a soak and a bit of a scrub your bottles will come up sparkling clean.

Cheers,
Greg.

[Oliver]

I agree. Soak well then give a good shake. Then rinse to get rid of any loose dirt that may scratch the inside of the bottle. Finally, give a good scrub with a bottle-brush then rinse well.

It sounds like hard work, but it shouldn't be too difficult.

Cheers,

Oliver

[Paleman]

They're probably not worth much and aren't particularly rare, but are priceless to a homebrewer.

Dead right Oliver, i managed to score around 120 old South Aussie Pickaxe, large bottles from a mate. A good talking point, a joy to cap, very sturdy and theyve got some history.

Even if i gave up homebrewing ( which is impossible ) i'll stash my Pickaxes somewhere forever !!

[beerboy]

I got most of my old XXXX roll tops from the dump, (300 approx.). I soaked them overnight in a strong water and bleach mixture, which nothing would have lived through. Next day I gave them a thorough rinse and they came up a treat, a bit of work initially but worth it in the long run. Got 5 different brews in the fridge at the moment which are pretty decent.