Toronto's Steam Whistle Brewery has run out of its signature green beer bottles and will have to slow production this week unless consumers return their empty bottles en masse. 

Steam Whistle founder Cam Heaps said Wednesday the brewery is bottling with what little they have left.

Steam Whistle Brewery has been forced to slow production due to a shortage of their signature green bottles.
(CBC)

"What often happens is people have more bottles at home than they drink on a weekly basis because they tend to buy regularly and bring them back irregularly," Heaps said.

The brewery has cut workers' shifts but doesn't anticipate any layoffs due to the shortage.

Hot weather and brisk sales coupled with delays from the company's bottle supplier led to the bottle predicament.

Heaps expects a new shipment of bottles July 11 but is hopeful customers will return their empties and keep production running.

"Basically, we'll be packaging as bottles come in from the trade so the more bottles we can get people to bring back, the greater the likelihood we'll be able to stick to filling demand," said Heaps.

Steam Whistle normally produces up to 200,000 bottles a week, delivering to Ontario Beer Stores, LCBO stores and licensed bars and restaurants.