Why do manufacturers use glass bottles for alcohol instead of plastic?

Answer 1

glass has a higher density, a smoother texture, and has no effetc on flavor. Plastic, however, is porous and can effect flavors, especially liquids containing alcohol. Also over gime some alcohols can eventually breakdown some plastics, so glass is the perfect storage medium for booze. A beer company advertised their "glass' lined cans were better for not reacting with the beer.
But this may require hic more research.

Answer 2

They don't. The last bottle of Vodka (40-50% alcohol) I bought was plastic. The bottles of rubbing alcohol you buy at the pharmacy (70%) are plastic, I haven't seen a glass one in 30 or more years. Plastic is cheaper, lighter and more break resistant, why would you use glass should be the question.

Answer 3

I'm not sure what you mean by "manufacturers" for alcohol. When I think of "alcohol manufacturers" I think of chemical-grade alcohols for industrial or research use, such as Sigma Aldrich. Looking only at high-purity ethanol, different products are packaged in 1L glass bottles, 7L stainless steel drums, and 20 L polymer (plastic) containers.

My guess is that their decision to sell 1L containers in glass bottles has to do with the economics of obtaining glass vs. high-quality plastics that will be stable in standard laboratory operating conditions (i.e. no container breakdown) and the economics of shipping.

If, on the other hand, you are inquiring about consumer liquor manufacturers, you can still see a variety of packaging methods. Beer (an alcohol product) often comes in aluminum and steel cans. Wines may be purchased either in plastic bags (typically packaged within cardboard boxes, primarily for bulk sales) or in glass bottles. Hard liquors often come in glass bottles, but many brands are switching to using hard plastic containers.

While plastics are capable of replacing much glass, there are some significant factors to consider in the conversion. First, glass remelting is somewhat easier than plastic recycling. Second, the price of glass is not as volatile as that of plastic because the raw materials of plastics come from the oil industry. Third, and probably most important, consumers are used to glass packaging and are demonstratedly wary of using alternative packagings, regardless of proven efficacy and safety.
This is particularly true of wines and liquors with expected "short" shelf lives of only a few years; as all plastics are prone eventually to thermal and ultraviolet degredation, it is unlikely that fine wines or things desired to be stored for long periods of time (such as 18-year malt liquors) will experience packaging changes. The rate of breakdown is dependent on the type of plastic, however, and many plastics operate well for several years with no detectable deterioration, making them safe storage containers for the majority of alcohol uses(despite much public misinformation, as can be seen even among the other answers on this page).

Answer 4

If you mean liqour they are not ALL glass. Depends on the product. Some are glass some are plastic. Infact it also depends on the size a lot of the 1.5's are plastic compared to the 750's.

If you prefer on way or the other...check the sizes you might be able to get it in plastic.

Answer 5

It may well have something to do with the open structure of plastic compared with glass, maybe some of the esters and so on can pass through the plastic.

Answer 6

Only the good alcohol is in glass. The cheap stuff is in plastic. It is the same reason most wine is in a bottle.

Remember to recycle!

Answer 7

Many do use plastic for the 2 liter sizes. I have seen them in one liter as well but not many. People expect to get glass including me. If I pay top dollar fopr good liquor I want quality containers. And nothing beats glass.

Answer 8

Generally speaking, because practically anything aside from glass will flavor the spirits somewhat.

Oh - and FYI - plastic IS routinely used, though usually not with the top-shelf liquors.

Answer 9

ingesting water from any glass is definitely greater useful than plastic bottles. the chemical compounds from the plastic will infiltrate the water which you drink. you could actual flavor the version. in case you purchase it bottled it somewhat is style of costly so top off filtered water into the glass.

Answer 10

It is more expencive to use plastic bottle we run a bar and have to have alco pops in plastic bottles....and they on ave 4 - 6p more each
crazy i know...We do it from safty point of view.