Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is Mr. Beer 16oz Swing Top Glass Bottles.  These became my go to bottles for my small batch mead this year.  I started out using 32 oz bottles but in the end these just work better.  Smaller quantities to savor your mead with.  Not to mention the 32 oz ones seem like a good deal until you realize shipping is a killer and none of them are on prime.

Of course they are fine for beer, cider, etc.  I was going to get these up on Item of the Day eventually but moved them to today, let me share why with you.  Recently I ordered two boxes of these for my next few gallons of mead, currently in a secondary fermenters.

I got the text from amazon saying my order was delivered, went out to the gate and the box had seen better days.  Knowing it was glass, I was concerned.  One of the boxes was fine, the second sounded like well, shattered glass.  I went in and printed a return label and explained why to the seller though Amazon’s system.  In less than two hours I received the following email,

Hello,

I’m sorry to hear about the condition in which your  Mr. Beer 12 Count Swing Top Glass Bottles, 16 oz  arrived. We make every attempt to pack items securely to protect them during shipping, but sometimes damage does occur.

We always appreciate customer input on how we can improve our services.

On this occasion, we don’t require you to return the original. You’re welcome to keep, donate or dispose of it – whichever option is most appropriate and convenient for you.

I would like to help you, I’ve created a replacement for you at no additional charge. Here are the details:

Order Number: redacted
Shipping Speed: Two-Day Shipping
Guaranteed delivery by: Friday, July 22, 2016

Here is a direct link to check on the status of your replacement order: redacted

I hope you understand that we do our best to ensure that all our customer orders are delivered safe and on time.  Unfortunately, in spite of our efforts sometimes there are unforeseen delays and circumstances beyond our control, and we sincerely apologize for inconvenience caused.

Your patience is highly appreciated in this matter.  We look forward to seeing you again soon.

We’d appreciate your feedback. Please use the links below to tell us about your experience today.

Best regards,
Vishal G

Ten minutes later I received a shipping confirmation from Amazon.  This was about the best level of service one could expect in this situation.   Today I will CAREFULLY open the broken box, perhaps I will get a few non broken bottles in it, for all I know more that half are okay, once I realized many were smashed I just didn’t open it.  If nothing else I will get 12 spare caps and gaskets.

I love swing tops for bottling, while I now always keg 5 gallon batches, 1-2 gallon batches always get bottled for practical reasons.  Generally after two rackings of my 1 gallon batches I fill 5-6 of these for a gallon, with a half pint or a little more in a mason jar that goes in the fridge for “early quality analysis”.

The bottles do ship with the tops not installed, but they are very easy to put on.  The reason for this is the box won’t quite close for packaging with them on.  However it is fine for storage, another reason I love them.  Bottle up two gallons, put them back in the box, label the top and put them into the aging room (okay it is just an upstairs closet).

For many years I used to save returnable beer bottles and cleaned the labels off them, what a pain in the butt.  I get it but if you have the budget these are just much more convenient.  And again 16oz Swing Top Glass Bottles are just perfect for meads, 2 people can have two 4oz servings or 4 people can each have one.  Mead isn’t something one just guzzles, it is to be savored and enjoyed with select friends.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com