Do you use standard 12 oz. bottles for high carb beers, like a Berliner Weisse, especially for competition?
I would like to bottle condition a BW, but I’m not sure how the bottles will handle the higher volumes of CO2. I know the general consensus is nothing above 3 volumes in standard bottles. So does that mean everyone sends higher CO2 beers in special bottles?
I use the Belgian 375ml bottles (from MoreBeer or Northern Brewer - or collect your own). They are thicker and can handle higher volumes of CO2.
I use the heavy Belgian bottles for highly carbonated beers. A few years ago there was an event at a local bar where the representative from Rochefort visited. A friend picked up a whole bunch of those empties and shared the excess.
I regularly go over 4 volumes in standard 12oz bottles without incident. They’re more robust than people would have you believe.
Your best bet would be the Belgian stubbies. These are quite thick and can hold a great deal of carbonation. You’ll have gushers way before a bottle fails.