[Ralph]

I am about to brew my first batch of beer and am wondering about using plastic bottles as i found a site online that suggests using old 2 litre cola bottles. I am wondering how long the beer will hold it's fizz in these bottles and if they leave a plastic taste to the brew. Any comments would be appreciated.

[hevimees]

Plastic bottles do "breathe" a little, but if the caps are airtight then I think that your beer will be just fine for at least 6 months.

Also I don't believe that plastic bottles leave any flavours to the beer, since it's also a plastic container that you're making it in (?).

[NigelPacker]

My first beer kit from Boots in England was a tin kit in a barrel and 12 plastic bottles (pet) just like small coke bottles but brown. In England we have comecial brewers that sell there products in them in supermarkets, 2 Litre and brown plastic.
They keep their head just as good as crown caped glass bottles. But if you intend to keep the beer for any length of time in clear pet bottles do keep it in a dark place. Check the caps for damage and don't over charge the bottles with sugar. Remember to keep everything sterile.

Enjoy
Nigel

[sudsmonkey]

I agree with Nigepacker, Light could be a problem with the clear bottles. I've bottled five batches using plastic bottles of 20oz., 32oz., and 2 liter sizes. No problems at all. Well, I did have a couple to explode in the first batch(overprimed). I now store them in a black trashbag lining a cardboard box. The bag keeps the light out and contains any potential mess. I'm transitioning over to 40 oz. glass bottles with screw tops, they're just a handier size for me. I don't notice any flavor difference between glass and plastic. Go for it.

Sudsmonkey