Opening a Beer Bottle With a Lighter

[col klink]

What I learned in college was to use my forearm. Place the cap about 2" from the elbow in the really fleshy part and twist. Of course this only works with twist-offs and if they're really tight (like from the Pyramid brewery) this method will leave a big red serrated circle that I'd wear as a badge of courage. Of course I found out the hard way that Heineken bottles are not twist offs when the cap twisted but never came off. I earned that beer.

[maggiethecat]

What I learned in college: Pitchers! (And yeah, I was an art history minor too!)

[awbrig]

And yeah, I was an art history minor too

you shouldnt be drinking beer if you are a "minor"

[tommy]

I'm 36 years old, and I can't do this.  Can someone tell me how?  In detail.  With diagrams and/or movie clips if possible.

i have had perhaps more beers than most people on the planet (and i'm just talking about this afternoon), and i have yet to be able to do this. that's why i have a bottle opener (and a coke spoon of course) on my keychain. i have, however, resorted to the very unscientific and often painful method of placing the bottle neck, at the cap, on the edge of the bar/friend's counter, and slamming it with the meaty part of my palm. this sometimes works, but most times it turns into the triggering event for some civilized person in my vicinity to fetch e an opener.

[tommy]

Once you get the hang of this you'll be surprised how easy it is. Its one of the most valueable things I learned in college:

I'm right handed, so I grip the bottle with my left. Wrap your hand around the bottle so that your thumb and forefinger are flush with the top of the bottle cap. Take the lighter and wedge it underneath the edge of the cap by pushing down on the fleshy part of the bottom knuckle of your forefinger. Grip tightly enough so that your hand doesn't slide down the bottle as you pry the cap off using that fleshy part as the fulcrum of your "lever".

Piece of cake...

after 10 short posts, i'm convinced that al dente is my hero. this is brilliant. i'm running out right now to try this.

[bigbear]

..., but most times it turns into the triggering event for some civilized person in my vicinity to fetch e an opener.

Then, e opens it for you, I presume?

[Stone]

..., but most times it turns into the triggering event for some civilized person in my vicinity to fetch e an opener.

Then, e opens it for you, I presume?

The e-opener is a new on-line bottle opener offered by IBM e-business solutions.

[tommy]

oy. if you guys don't know what the e opener is then i'm not even going to explain it to you. tourists.

[maggiethecat]

..., but most times it turns into the triggering event for some civilized person in my vicinity to fetch e an opener.

Then, e opens it for you, I presume?

Welcome!

(Back!)

[awbrig]

e opener

eye opener?

[tommy]

[Al_Dente]

No no no no no... Don't use those lighters with the built in opener. You haven't lived until you can master my method. Once you can do it with a lighter, you can use nearly any hard piece of material. I've used a magic marker, a knife, and car keys using the same principle.

I would imagine if you used enough Viagra.... nah, won't go there...

[Blondie]

Once you get the hang of this you'll be surprised how easy it is. Its one of the most valueable things I learned in college:

I'm right handed, so I grip the bottle with my left. Wrap your hand around the bottle so that your thumb and forefinger are flush with the top of the bottle cap. Take the lighter and wedge it underneath the edge of the cap by pushing down on the fleshy part of the bottom knuckle of your forefinger. Grip tightly enough so that your hand doesn't slide down the bottle as you pry the cap off using that fleshy part as the fulcrum of your "lever".

Piece of cake...

The fisherman taught me how to do a version of this with the back of a big ole chef's knife, using the bottom knuckle of the forefinger and thumb for leverage. I've managed it a few times (without hurting myself). Looks impressive (and dangerous)

[Wilfrid]

I used to open them with my teeth. Not doing that any more. I have a good scar on my thumb from doing that once when I didn't realise the top of the bottle had splintered.

[Schielke]

What I learned in college was to use my forearm. Place the cap about 2" from the elbow in the really fleshy part and twist. Of course this only works with twist-offs and if they're really tight (like from the Pyramid brewery) this method will leave a big red serrated circle that I'd wear as a badge of courage. Of course I found out the hard way that Heineken bottles are not twist offs when the cap twisted but never came off. I earned that beer.

Dude! You too?

I love that method.

Ben

[Stone]

I think my hand's too fat.

[Jim Dixon]

I'd split the no-opener methods into two general categories:

1. Prying

use a screwdriver, key (I have broken them, a pain when it's the only car key), knife tip, or almost anything that fits between the bottle and cap and pry the crown away a bit at a time until it pops off.

2. Popping (for lack of a better term...maybe whacking works)

rest the edge of the cap (bottle pointing up is safest) on a suitable edge...car bumber, strikeplate of door, edge of table...the main thing is that you want something hard, preferably metal, and at a 90 degree or so angle so it catches the cap. Hold the bottle firmly and sharply strike downward on the cap...it should pop off...I opened a Brooklyn Brewery IPA while waiting for a plane home at La Guardia like this, using the steel base of the seats in the concourse.

Jim

[jaybee]

Uh, between this thread and "how do you pronounce Otto", we see evidence how the absence of OTC has brought a laser like focus on food and elevated the level of excellence on EG.

[Stone]

I'd split the no-opener methods into two general categories:

1. Prying

use a screwdriver, key (I have broken them, a pain when it's the only car key), knife tip, or almost anything that fits between the bottle and cap and pry the crown away a bit at a time until it pops off.

2. Popping (for lack of a better term...maybe whacking works)

rest the edge of the cap (bottle pointing up is safest) on a suitable edge...car bumber, strikeplate of door, edge of table...the main thing is that you want something hard, preferably metal, and at a 90 degree or so angle so it catches the cap. Hold the bottle firmly and sharply strike downward on the cap...it should pop off...I opened a Brooklyn Brewery IPA while waiting for a plane home at La Guardia like this, using the steel base of the seats in the concourse.

Jim

As Jaybee points out, this is getting way off-topic. I only asked about the lighter gimmick.

edit: (this is not necessarily directed at Jim. it goes for all of you thread-wanderers.)

Edited January 16, 2003 by Dstone001 (log)

[Fat Guy]

Uh, between this thread and "how do you pronounce Otto", we see evidence how the absence of OTC has brought a laser like focus on food and elevated the level of excellence on EG.

Not to mention heavy-handed and intrusive moderation, all in the name of greed!

[Deacon]

I used to open them with my teeth.  

I get the best results opening beers when I use someone else's teeth.

Next: opening a beer bottle with a barometer!

Edited January 16, 2003 by Deacon (log)

[awbrig]

I get the best results opening beers when I use someone else's teeth.

Next: opening a beer bottle with a barometer!

You guys thought I was weird...

[snowangel]

Once you get the hang of this you'll be surprised how easy it is. Its one of the most valueable things I learned in college:

I'm right handed, so I grip the bottle with my left. Wrap your hand around the bottle so that your thumb and forefinger are flush with the top of the bottle cap. Take the lighter and wedge it underneath the edge of the cap by pushing down on the fleshy part of the bottom knuckle of your forefinger. Grip tightly enough so that your hand doesn't slide down the bottle as you pry the cap off using that fleshy part as the fulcrum of your "lever".

Piece of cake...

I thought this was a college requirement! That or using the table Paul had -- he and his buddies had stolen manhole covers, welded legs on them, spraypainted them, and voila! tables (or bottle openers). Problem with the latter was that after one had opened a few too many, there was too much broken glass and beer on the floor.

My sister and I shared a car (1970 orange bug) during college, and we always made sure we had a "church key" in the glove box, along with limes and salt. When my dad asked about the salt (a disposable Mortons shaker), she lamely said "in case it is icy."

[suzilightning]

The fisherman taught me how to do a version of this with the back of a big ole chef's knife, using the bottom knuckle of the forefinger and thumb for leverage. I've managed it a few times (without hurting myself). Looks impressive (and dangerous)

and this is how we used to open beers in the kitchen...

micheolb ponys

[Stone]

I used to open them with my teeth.  

I get the best results opening beers when I use someone else's teeth.

I do it all the time. Open their mouth, place the rim of the cap against the top of the front lower teeth, whap down hard on the top. Pops off every time, and when you're good at it, you don't break their nose.