[arp242]

> That's why we stopped using it.

Except we didn't; wine and spirits come almost exclusively in glass bottles, beer is frequently in glass (although cans are also used), almost every store will have some sodas and bottled water in glass, most people at home and restaurants use glasses made from, well, glass, etc.

[stdbrouw]

Glass is a little bit better at keeping oxygen out than plastic, dark glass keeps UV rays at bay, and thick glass bottles can better withstand the pressure of a second fermentation in the bottle, as with champagne and abbey beers. It also looks nice. These are advantages for beer and wine, but mostly irrelevant for soda, water and juices.

[The_Colonel]

Maybe it's some mass illusion, but most people say that drinking from glass bottles tastes significantly better. Personally cans taste bad, plastic somewhat better.

[dgroshev]

Cans are lined with plastic on the inside, otherwise aluminium would react with acidic soda. There is no practical difference in that regard between a plastic bottle and an aluminium can lined with plastic

[arp242]

I like drinking from a can; your mouth still touches the metal while you drink, so while the flavour of the liquid as such is unaffected, it still changes the overall "flavour experience" (for either better or worse, depending on personal tastes).

If you pour it out in a glass it makes no difference.

[The_Colonel]

When I'm drinking from the can, I'm "licking" the metal which changes the taste/experience.

[NoZebra120vClip]

It's easy to purchase Mexican sodas around here, and these are never in plastic. Also the more upscale or organic soda companies such as Jones or Reed's, always glass.

[Ekaros]

I don't use drugs. But my understanding is that plastic bottles aren't exactly uncommon even for spirits. And then with wines you get the boxed stuff. A carboard box, with plastic/foil bag inside.

[Balero]

I do use drugs. I have never seen spirits in a plastic bottle, even own brand super market vodka.

Boxed wine exists, and is a bit under half the market (by volume). Wine in glasses is still the majority of sales. Beer/cider/larger is sold in cans or bottles, with cans being about 2/3rd by volume.

[doubleg72]

I do drugs as well, but I don't typically drink alcohol. Maybe I am not qualified to speak on this, but in the US most of the cheap vodkas have been coming in plastic bottles for around 15 years now at least.

[throwbadubadu]

Hm... I think in Europe most if not all of the alcohol comes in glass (or also still sometimes a tin can). Only some beer is in plastic bottles, but most would say that is a sin and a no go and never touch it.

[arp242]

I've only seen plastic bottles for very small bottles: the type you get in a mini-bar or airplane. If you go to a supermarket or off-license you typically won't find non-glass bottles for regular-sized wine or spirits.

[domh]

Or strangely enough in the US cheap spirits often come in very large plastic bottles... think Costco brand tequila and vodka in 1.5l containers.