Antique Beer Bottles

Prior to about 1850, most beer was sold only by the barrel, to taverns, for distribution. But independent breweries pioneered individual bottling post Civil War, with the introduction of stamped glass making different brands identifiable. Cork stoppers were used until pressurized caps came along in the 20th Century. And many pre-Prohibition beer bottles were green (aka Aqua glass), in contrast to the later predominant brown, which supposedly keeps out sunlight and preserves freshness.