How to Open a Beer Bottle with a Key

Cracking open a cold beer is a great way to wind down from a long day or liven up a party. But if you don’t have a bottle opener, it can be hard to get to the beer! Luckily, the keys jangling in your pocket or bag provide a convenient solution to your problem. Whether you pop the lid right off or pry the ridges first, it's easy to open a beer bottle with a key!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Popping the Lid Off

1. Grab the neck with your non-dominant hand. You should be holding the bottle securely so that it doesn’t slide in your hand when you push against it. Don’t worry about squeezing it too tight, a firm grip is enough!^[1]
   
2. Put a strong key, like a car key, under the cap. This is not a job for a small file cabinet key or an aluminium house key. Pick a strong, larger key like a car key or a heavier office key. It’s best to pick a key with multiple ridges at the tip--it will be easier for it to get under the bottlecap’s ridges.^[2]
   
3. Twist the key upwards until you hear the beer bottle pop off. Move the key in your dominant hand so you’re twisting the key up towards you. It’s the same motion you’d make if you were turning your car on. Since the key is lodged under the bottle cap, the key should pry the cap open!^[3]
   
   
4. Try a different side of the cap if it didn’t pop off immediately. Depending on the bottle cap, the strength of your key, and your experience with this method, the cap might not pop off on your first try. I fit doesn’t, turn the bottle until a new part of the cap is facing you, and try again!^[4]
   
   

[Edit]Prying the Ridges Open

1. Look for any bent ridges. If there are any ridges on your bottlecap that are already bent slightly, start there! If not, you can pick any ridge to get started with.
   
2. Slide the tip of the key under a ridge. Work your key tip until it’s slightly under one of the bottlecap ridges. It’s okay if it doesn’t go all the way under -- all you need is a little bit of leverage.^[5]
   
3. Twist the key until the ridge bends upwards. Twist the key back and forth gently but firmly until the bottlecap ridge starts to bend. Be careful not to press the ridge against the bottle -- you want the ridge to be pointing outward or upward when you’re done.^[6]
   
   
4. Repeat until at least 4 ridges in a row are up. Keep twisting the key under the ridges until you have at least 4 in a row that are pointing up or out from the bottle. Make sure they’re all next to each other -- it won’t work if they’re scattered around the rim of the bottlecap.^[7]
   
   
5. Grasp the bottle firmly in your non-dominant hand. You should be holding the bottle tightly enough that you don't injure yourself or anyone nearby. Don’t squeeze it too hard, though--you may be strong enough to break the bottle!^[8]
   
6. Push the key tip under the bent ridges. Press the tip of the key underneath the bent ridges as far as you can. It’s okay if it only goes in a little bit. You just need enough space to actually use the key as leverage.^[9]
   
   
7. Press the key upwards until the cap pops off. Grasp the key firmly in your dominant hand and press upwards until the cap pops off. Be careful not to press too hard. If you’re too rough with the bottle, you might break the top off!^[10]
   
   

[Edit]Tips

• Be careful of the ridges--they can be very sharp!
• Check if the bottle is a twist-off before trying to open it with a key!^[11]
• If you often find yourself without a bottle opener, consider purchasing a bottle opener keyring for your keys!

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Open a Beer Bottle with a Lighter
• Drink Beer
• Shotgun a Beer

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BcpLr4qJv0&feature=youtu.be&t=4
2. ↑ http://www.wral.com/16-ways-to-open-a-beer-bottle-without-a-bottle-opener/12540305/
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BcpLr4qJv0&feature=youtu.be&t=17
4. ↑ http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-drink/how-open-beer-bottle-without-opener
5. ↑ http://www.wral.com/16-ways-to-open-a-beer-bottle-without-a-bottle-opener/12540305/
6. ↑ https://www.askmen.com/fine_living/how_to_400/447b_how-to-open-bottles-without-bottle-openers.html
7. ↑ https://www.askmen.com/fine_living/how_to_400/447b_how-to-open-bottles-without-bottle-openers.html
8. ↑ http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-drink/how-open-beer-bottle-without-opener
9. ↑ http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-drink/how-open-beer-bottle-without-opener
10. ↑ https://www.askmen.com/fine_living/how_to_400/447b_how-to-open-bottles-without-bottle-openers.html
11. ↑ http://www.wral.com/16-ways-to-open-a-beer-bottle-without-a-bottle-opener/12540305/