Our custom caps shouldn't be just for homebrews. Why not trick out your favorite craft brew for a special occasion: birthdays, bachelor parties, weddings, really cool corporate get-togethers, or that long-awaited 21st?
But
can you uncap and recap a beer without any loss in quality? That's what Cameron and I are determined to find out...
Stand back. We're going to try science!
OFFICIAL BOTTLEMARK EXPERIMENT: #1 RECAPPING
Phase 1
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD87ut7j-qt5IQle_ZStYmNi_R8wPV6nZ7bbkzOD37JtqdDJcMNPr96KDUfloKK0BWszHsakv9fYB2hijORz2DiZ6xjcTkew78ssovhEtqp59Xa9FvqD4V_e-To1vba8HaRJMYR6FAiDY/s280/RecapEinstein.jpg) |
Einstein thirsts for science! |
Purpose: To determine if a distributed (non-homebrewed) beer can be uncapped and immediately recapped without any noticeable loss in carbonation or alteration in flavor.
Hypothesis: We think this is gonna work.
(Here's why: oxygen = bad, flat beer. We're not exposing it to oxygen for very long, and unlike growlers, we're not drinking any to create more space for oxygen in the bottle.)
Materials:
1 6-pack of local craft brew: Independence Pale Ale (brewed in Austin, TX)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglmWHzBe5YC8zlDqQzcfKlQQSipsOL7eiFmFrpntTqV-UoEx4KQKHrMeoqehnegG2WBvxOo5wOfYwchve5MrQB-QcmtY5xxi1Zv6IGxE2seZ8jVubUIm5SuXJb3GkgLfAnqhI2kBLQlTq/s320/RecapIndependence.jpg) |
Note the plain gold caps. This pack is about to get an upgrade. |
3 awesomer caps
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVqV_U7qXBY9azKM8fJM9RhYXGqvYCfjWdbpYVBwROXo12xhiScJDApQeGHcRSxV8f6hhIs2EooTnr94FXtShVTIiSs0dhLwLwnobQIA6Tm0jsyYSMQp1Y8hr1y1w-Kwvtrx6oZZp3p-u/s320/RecapPile.jpg) |
Showing here |
1
Klein bottle bottle opener
1 really ancient antique capper
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQqUINnwkmJwaiDfvK5k_sEoos3xKFmIJhqFAhtRPgwibvVLQAE0SvLawmNqDi3sf5xKr3FkZFmeDGs8NwUoI8D8PSU5pikFXHHxol-UonLQjLbKnjImOYQexx10UoG9-1bcHhHrFkVZV/s320/RecapCapper.jpg) |
Cooper legend has it that this bottle capper has been in the family since the Prohibition era, when it was used to, ahem, cap "ketchup." |
Iodophor sanitizer solution (poured into a glass) to sanitize
Control: We left 3 of the bottles untouched. When the proper time has elapsed, we will uncap both an original and a recapped beer at the same time to compare carbonation and taste.
Procedure:
1. Sanitize the new caps and the capper's hands in standard sanitizer solution. Very important step!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBsjLzG9m_SpuQnaWtpXsUoypGSe72GXnz2cD2o1d8nFHHD7OF3y7gkKtRjDB7MxOhs2XE4kDxlSt3CZRI4fFeF3VWYEytl-l26nBNxLzVC_p0KO6_jXxJHim_mPVzwqabGtFWQZDLpUX/s320/Recap1.jpg) |
Step 1 |
2. Pose for the fanatical photographing wife while waiting 2 minutes for caps to sanitize.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI0tkwKso8WyN9E4bS9gOnX2-hJpdBZZlQvpOTmjpaLWMy5fJBbUjpg3obSxmaBX2xgeGDfZ3VK3MrkB0qg92VPlp8S7pjXp7pqZV71Mnwxf_zQZcEJh0lzDzied8t9qoQAk8RaPTIkc8/s320/Recap2.jpg) |
Step 2 |
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3. Uncap 1 bottle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01GYSeSt4IeUyXsmVnWdnYlrZ_Ot8wwMyod8hMudl1CZ4F0JMfMc8mhzCkitfgXdEwBX8sjeAUoo9fWrDSTc9ibh40pSyIiG6_s5ZhwCSl766RuXVAEbb6hVB_eheBmeuywwHIOtwnT_E/s320/Recap3.jpg) |
Step 3 |
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4. Place new cap on bottle and use capper to crimp it into place. Try not to allow more than a minute to elapse with the beer open.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv58WCB_2eXlF0Ba9MhW8135LJxa7zEn8WWiGTI86S6i5K4dyv3Ev1fJ0jXwsW2cPz7UKHGE4SQoqi_G9fkBKc9J-9qtMqcJTV5f50aI7ernVXELno9sOgXcMFVDxIrVieaFukCDt6f39/s320/Recap4.jpg) |
Step 4 |
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5. Look at the cute dog,
look at it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9So5lzwMH9-IyrgU4ijlNg_sE1I1b49D8RWomO4VJSHjMLvQDNla6jx4amcQx53W4-WbRikukFpeuYma63uMkoVM_LztPNfwhyphenhyphenGXz6apl8wNvfdge8WDXv26ePeCEX_vHwi5fTKQwHYR/s320/Recap5.jpg) |
Step 5 |
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6. Repeat Steps 3-4 for a total of three bottles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7cDrxIi2tRGYHC_xuriTEDP2Gv5t7slqnzkiF-3BR1WdzZ9OcRzKIzyxKX_gTMiO14c0JCSobmuHSyxsCREW3SZmuKcdjiJ-MLMA4Q9DprRHEySh2UgINtMPULvPrPpgwZqz7sdt1Bdg/s280/Recap6.jpg) |
Step 6 |
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7. Wait, my precious....
DAY FOUR RESULTS
Phase 2
After four days in the fridge, the capped and recapped Independence Pale Ales are ready for the first test.
Procedure:
1. Take one gold-capped and one Einstein-capped beer out of the fridge.
2. Uncap the normal bottle, attach a pre-stretched, helium quality balloon.
3. Give the bottle 3 hearty shakes.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for the recapped beer.
5. Compare the balloon sizes.
6. Remove balloons, pour both beers into tall pilsner glasses, and compare heads.
7. Taste test!
8. Taste test some more...etc.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYNtUvt4kpVZZD2isvmRQCY-x7phO1wMvdoLbH0XwrRC1mLzeQgYCzkcqc_HVRWjaSL6VlgYQQnHGFMq7xViMOOI_jDnTm4zgzm0xanuHn2-mb0X9UMEfZfm1EOR_7wjxzfdpjGK49qrU/s280/RecapD4-4.jpg) |
I love my job. |
9. Delicious.
Here's the video showing the Day Four experiment results in real time.
DAY FOUR CONCLUSION (drum roll, please...)
Conclusion 1: Recapping a beer and opening it again in 4 days (or less time) has no effect whatsoever on carbonation or taste.
Conclusion 2: This beer is particularly delicious.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf0oAzW1oeoOm70TrKBJf515YLOwdCt3Z56MSiioAroZ0sUvQdz4g1o8U5LODUhd-WNAqwCr5V6kg4n3XOFDWeKzJq0GKqKR5gSrjJNbPLvObQgBW1le17GTtoL5xuDbp93tgzD5uQu_G/s280/RecapD4-3.jpg) |
Double fisting for science. Beer for women. |
Stay tuned for results after one week and results after two weeks.