A polyester container with enhanced gas barrier properties includes a polyester composition having an IV of 0.65 dL/g to 1.0 dL/g and including a polyester and a reactive organic gas barrier enhancing additive. The polyester is made using at least one first polycondensation catalyst, non-limiting examples of which include metals in Groups 3, 4, 13, and 14 of the Periodic Table and includes a catalyst residue remaining in the polyester from formation of the polyester. The catalyst residue includes at least a portion of the at least one first polycondensation catalyst.