A method of making a plastic container, comprises injection molding a container preform having a finish portion and a body portion, engaging the container preform with a transfer arm with the finish portion located in a predetermined orientation with respect to the transfer arm, contacting the container preform with a first brake adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the transfer arm, transferring the container preform from the transfer arm to a blow molding wheel with the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the blow molding wheel, enclosing the container preform within a blow mold cavity, and blow molding the container preform into a plastic container. A blow molding apparatus for making a plastic container is also disclosed.