Which Glass Bottles To Choose: A Simple Guide For Cider Brands

Launching your cider and ready to choose a bottle? Read this guide to help you choose.

There is a lot of information available on which bottles are best for your cider and why. This is a simple starter guide, so you can do more than just produce cider, you can establish a brand with your packaging that represents your product values.

What do you need to know?

When choosing the right cider bottle, producers often consider:

Carbonation
Light protection
Closure compatibility
Cost
Customer preferences
Environmental impact
The product positioning (premium or traditional)

Three glass cider bottles, amber, clear and green, on a white background.

So why bottle cider in glass?

Glass is often chosen for its reusability and recyclability.

These values are at the heart of our history and sustainability ethos, so if your focus is on both the environment and producing high-quality cider, choosing glass can be a viable option.

A collection of different sizes and colours of glass bottles and glass jars, on a white background.

So…what are your options?

Shape

Choosing the correct shape bottle for your cider can make an impact.

Standard Cider Bottles

Ideal for craft ciders and traditional apple-pressed batches
Useful for brand positioning and customer recognition
Traditional feel

Standard Beer Bottles

Easily compatible with bottling lines
Widely available
Cost-effective

Long Neck Bottles

Can be reused
User-friendly design for pouring
Often used for larger volumes e.g. pubs and supermarkets

Champagne Bottles

Thicker glass (good for high carbonation)
Used for bottle-conditioned, or naturally carbonated ciders
Perfect for a more premium look, e.g. for seasonal gifting

Swing Top Bottles

Often used for smaller batches and an artisanal feel
Good for strong carbonation

There are multiple other variations, such as lightweight, taller beer bottles, and stubby bottles, which offer a distinctive look.

Colour

How can this impact your cider quality?

Flint (clear)

If the cider is your branding, Flint will show your product and liquid colour clearly
Often best for still ciders

Green

Offers a traditional look
Can protect lightly carbonated drinks

Amber

Strong natural UV protection
Useful if your cider contains hops and to ensure quality for delicate flavours

For example, our Vichy Bottles have strong protective UV glass and so are a durable solution for craft breweries to protect flavour and keep a classic look.

Our sister company Vigo has you covered with a range of cider-making equipment.

And don’t forget to complete your bottles with the right closures!