Cheap Beer Labels

Whenever I share a homebrew or take a homebrew to a club meeting, it never fails that someone asks a technical question about the beer. What was the OG and FG? What yeast did you use? What was the grain bill? This would require me to dig my phone out and check my saved recipes, if I remembered to save them to the cloud. Instead of digging around for this information, I thought why not place this all on a beer label so people could view this information right on the bottle!

I created this beer label which I feel gives a good synopsis of the beer. In order to attach the labels to the beer bottles, I used a very cheap method that only involves two things all homebrewers should already have: milk and gelatin. Please note that if you print this label with an ink jet printer, expect disaster. Use a laser printer to print the labels.

Here is how to make the label adhesive and the best way, IMO to attach the labels:

1/2 c warm milk (~90F)
1 tsp gelatin

Sprinkle the gelatin over the warm milk and let proof for 20 minutes.

Stir the mixture until no more gelatin is visible. Be sure to have everything ready to apply the labels; the adhesive will begin to get sticky within 30 seconds of applying it to the back of the label.

Apply the adhesive to the back of the label

                                   

Using your fingers, it is best to press the label onto the bottle at the center and work your way towards the edges of the label to remove any air pockets. Don't worry if the label appears wet, it will dry.

 After you have applied all of the labels, it is a good idea to wipe the bottles down with a wet cloth to remove any adhesive residue. These labels will come off cleanly after a quick warm water soak!