Hardly a human exists that does not have some odd, irrational collection that in reality may be less of a collection and more of a habit. Some rational collections are to be expected; like shelves full of beer. Make Mine Potato wisely stated, “Collecting is the mark of obsession,” followed by proud photos of his beer cellar. But what of those collections that are created and maintained without any coherent reason?
I am guilty.
On top of my refrigerator sits a bucket filled with bottle caps. Immediately after opening a beer, I rush to the refrigerator and deposit the small metallic lid into the bucket. I relish the soft clinking sound. I look forward to my frequent deposits into this odd bank.
I do not know why I collect these caps. There seems to be no purpose. I often ask my wife, “What am I going to do with these things?” Make a bar top? An end table? A suit of armor? Who knows? Certainly not me.
At least twice a week I pull the bucket down and peer inside. I love doing this. I like to dig my hand into the colorful mixture. With so many caps (hundreds? thousands?) they feel more like sand than crimped pieces of round steel. I enjoy the memories associated with each one. The 3 Floyds cap reminds me of the standing in line with Mike in Munster, IN to purchase Dark Lord. Any of the Rogue caps bring to mind the bottle of Morimoto Imperial Pilsner my wife got me for Christmas last year. We were so broke at that time, beer was a luxury, and the Morimoto was loving treat! The cap from my first home brew brings to light the feelings of trepidation I experienced as I pitched the yeast into my first batch of wort: “Will this actually work?” I recall saying aloud.
Maybe that’s why I collect bottle caps (amongst many other beer paraphernalia). I don’t have a problem remembering such great moments…just remembering to remember. I guess my weird fixation is a great antidote for neglecting the warm and fuzzy moments of life.
What bizarre collecting behaviors do you find yourself victim to?
I collect nice bottles, especially Rogue and Stone. I love bottle that are printed right on the bottle with no label. I also have a few jars that I fill with bottle caps and corks.
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LOL! I have the same bottle cap collecting issue. I can’t throw them out. I even bring them home in pocket from friends houses… I love seeing all the unusual and cool looking bottle caps. I’m in need of a new jug, my Poland springs jug is almost full!
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@Mike: I have seen your bottle collection! I think if my wife permitted, our house would be littered with bottles. I thought Breckenridge’s small batch 471 IPA (deklicious!) was a nice simple, printed on bottle design. Look for that beer!
@SimplyBeer: It is good to know I am not alone in my lunacy! lol. I also save the bottle caps when I am out at friends or a bar. Like you, I can’t throw them away!
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[...] Beer Obsessions | Thank Heaven for Beer thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/10/15/beer-obsessions – view page – cached On top of my refrigerator sits a bucket filled with bottle caps. Immediately after opening a beer, I rush to the refrigerator and deposit the small metallic lid into the bucket. I relish the soft… (Read more)On top of my refrigerator sits a bucket filled with bottle caps. Immediately after opening a beer, I rush to the refrigerator and deposit the small metallic lid into the bucket. I relish the soft clinking sound. I look forward to myfrequent deposits into this odd bank. (Read less) — From the page [...]
A friend of mine carefully opens his bottles so as not to warp the design on the top of the cap. He then glues a magnet to the inside of the cap and… voila! Stylish, beer geek approved magnets for your fridge.
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Seriously, we are weird. I bring my, in pocket, from friends houses. I recently got rid of most beer bottles I had. The sole reason was a space issue. Yet, I kept my caps. My plan with them is to fashion some wood into a beer shaped bottle and make a mirror with it. Then I plan to line it with the bottle caps. I have way more caps than I need to accomplish it but I keep them anyway.
@Nate, I remember that you used to do the cap keeping as early as Springfield Missouri. Odd creatures, indeed!
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Yeah, when we moved to toledo I started the collection over…man I miss those caps.
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You’ll find something awesome to do with them at some point. A bar top would be dope if you could do some kind of clear epoxy fill so its smooth.
Wow that gives me an idea…
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I really hope you use all of those beer caps to make a suit of armor!
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@cbjerricgaard: I have thought about that…when we move if the house is big enough, it is a major option!
@Sandra: i doubt you saw my latest Craigslist posting: http://toledo.craigslist.org/bar/1422662013.html Looks like sexy bedroom wear is necessary now. Armor it is!
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@Big Tex: I really like the magnet Idea. I too open my bottles with tender care.
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I’m not sure I had a collecting obsession, but thanks to this post I do. I feel strangely compelled to start collecting trophy caps myself. I have the bucket picked out already.
What do you do with beer corks? I’m gonna throw them in, too. Maybe my bottlecap suit of armor will float!
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@Jim: I save my corks too. It’s an illness…
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Harmless fun and I think that their ability to spark a memory is good enough. Same reason people buy souvenirs when on vacation or whatever. Its amazing what cool things you otherwise forget unless sparked by something as seemingly insignificant as a beer cap. Makes them quite significant actually.
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I thought it was weird of me to collect the bottle caps until I went to Saraveza in Portland. All of their tables have the caps under glass in cool patterns. Now if I can convince my wife, I just might do the same.
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@Sean. Are you ready for that battle? I’m kidding, of course, but it does help to have an understanding wife.
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Nice point, Scott. Sometimes symbols, like a beer cap, are significant.
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I too have a growing pile of beer bottle caps. Heck I even keep the cork and wirecages from those 750ml beer bottles too. Every so often I take them out and turn them all face up and take some pictures of them in no particular order. Sometimes it will simply remind me of all the great beer I’ve had. I’ve turned a couple of pics into my PC screensaver just for fun. Try it sometime. Taking photos is yet another way to spread the addiction further.
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You are talking to a recovering addict. Please don’t give me any more ideas. The rabbit hole only gets deeper and weirder the more you get into this stuff. Of course, there are a lot worse things to be obsessed about (and not any better that I can think of).
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