How many bottles do I need for a 23-litre batch?

A standard 23L batch with typical trub loss of 1-2 litres yields about 21-22 litres of beer. That is approximately 43 x 500ml bottles, 64 x 330ml bottles, or 28 x 750ml bottles. Always have a few spares ready.

What size bottles should I use?

500ml bottles are the UK standard for homebrew and widely available. 330ml are good for stronger beers or sharing. 750ml (wine bottles with crown caps) are great for Belgian styles. PET bottles are convenient for beginners and eliminate breakage risk.

How much trub loss should I account for?

Typical trub loss is 1-2 litres for a 23L batch. This includes yeast sediment and hop debris left behind in the fermenter. If you dry hop or use lots of adjuncts, allow 2-3 litres. If you cold crash and transfer carefully, you may recover more.

Should I have spare bottles ready?

Always prepare 5-10% more bottles than you think you need. This accounts for the last bottle that may not fill completely, any breakage, and the fact that you may recover slightly more or less beer than expected.

What type of bottles are best for homebrew?

Brown glass bottles offer the best UV protection for hop-forward beers. Avoid clear and green glass as they allow light to create skunky flavours. Swing-top bottles are reusable and convenient. PET plastic bottles are safe and ideal for beginners.

BrewCalcs

Bottle Calculator

Calculate the number of bottles needed for your batch size.

Batch Size

Bottle Size

Trub / Loss

Beer left behind in fermenter

Spare Bottles

How We Calculate This

Bottle Count Calculation

Packagable Volume = Batch Size - Trub Loss. Then Bottles Needed = Packagable Volume / Bottle Volume, rounded up to the next whole number. Spare bottles are added as a percentage on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify values and adjust based on your equipment and ingredients.