Brewer warns of exploding beer bottles

AN artisan brewery has warned that bottles of its beer should be immediately disposed of – saying the containers are “over-carbonated” and could explode.

Cornelius in Easter Road. Picture: Julie Bull

Bosses at Bristol-based brewery Wiper and True said that a batch of bottles of its Mount Hood Porter beer – which is sold at venues in Edinburgh – were affected and that there was a risk of the bottles shattering. The brewery advised anyone who has bought the beer between March 27 and April 17 this year to “dispose of it immediately” and to “wear protective eye wear and gloves” when handling the bottles.

The firm, which says it makes its beer “nomadically at various locations”, sells its bottles of ale at pubs all around the UK, as well as online.

Many shops and bars sell the beer, including Cornelius in Easter Road, which said it had returned a batch as a precaution.

Wiper and True issued a product recall after it came to light that some 500ml bottles of its Mount Hood Porter beer – the first batch it created with a best before date of March 5, 2016 – were “explosive”.

It stated: “If you have any unopened bottles, do not attempt to transport or return them but dispose of the product immediately.

“To ensure your safety, please wear protective eye wear and gloves, and dispose of the beer by placing any remaining unopened bottles in a securely closed box and immediately placing the box in a bin liner inside a closed rubbish bin.”

It adds that if you have already drunk the beer there is “no need to worry”, adding: “There is no risk to your health as this is purely a carbonation and pressure issue affecting only a small portion of the batch.”

It also said buyers should contact the retailer where they bought the beer to get a refund.

The Food Standards Agency issued a recall notice stating: “Wiper and True recalls its Mount Hood Porter beer due to shattering of some bottles.

“The company is recalling the product and has contacted all its retail customers and collected remaining stock from retail customers.

“The company has also updated its website and social media channels with the product recall notice, a copy of which is attached.

“The company has halted production until they feel confident that the issue has been resolved.”

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