How to Collect Beer Labels
Collecting beer labels is a hobby taken up by many beer enthusiasts. The popularity of microbreweries has made sampling beers from around the world as much of an art form as wine tasting. Beer, produced by brewing and fermenting starches derived from grains such as barley, is one of the world's oldest forms of alcoholic beverage. Many collectors forgo saving and displaying bottles in favor of the space-saving practice of label collecting. If you are searching for effective methods of removing and displaying beer labels, the process takes some time but little effort.
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Things You'll Need
- Dish soap
- Oxygenated cleaner (like Oxi-Clean)
- Solid-color towel
- Wax paper
- Blotting paper
- Heavy books
- Acid-free photo album
Instructions
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Remove the Label
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1
Soften the glue on the label by filling the bottle with very hot water. Let the bottle sit while you fill a sink with warm, soapy water.
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2
Immerse the filled bottle into the water and let it soak for several days. This will loosen the glue.
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3
Spray the bottle with a commercial oxygenated cleaner. This dissolves the glue. Peel the label off immediately. Use this as an alternative to soaking the bottles for days.
Dry and Display the Label
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4
Lay a solid-color towel on a flat surface. Place the wet label on one end. Fold the towel over and press down gently to blot out excess water.
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5
Flatten a piece of wax paper on a sheet of blotting paper. Place the label, glue side down, on the wax paper. Cover it with a second piece of blotting paper.
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6
Cover the label and blotting paper with several heavy books.
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7
Let the label sit, pressed on the blotting paper, for three days minimum.
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8
Display the labels in an acid-free photo album. Lay one or two labels flat per page, sealed under the plastic cover, to prevent curling.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Some labels might require a razor blade for removal .This is not the best method and should be avoided if possible. Try the other methods first, several times if necessary.
