Beer "localism"?

We get 2 of these threads a day in the Pacific (CA and HI) forum. I'm proud of my fellow Pacific-BA's--they are always quick to offer up suggestions even though the queries never cease. Someone even consolidated all the SoCal/Orange County threads into one so anyone of us can provide a link when someone asks (http://beeradvocate.com/community/posts/1813428/) but invariably people will chime in with suggestions anyway (oh, and it hasn't stopped or even slowed the queries, but that's ok).

 

This. Exactly. I don't mind sharing info at but when I see ambiguous posts (where your whalez at) with ambiguous data (I'll be in the Seattle area), it just causes me to remain silent.

Also, saw a couple of surfers post here so I will chime in on something that has worked for me in the past. If I was in unfamiliar territory, I would bring a cooler of beer to the beach and invite anyone and everyone to partake. Never got vibed. Quite the opposite actually. So hint: it is sometime a good idea to bring something from you area to share with those who are willing to share with you. The offering can go a long way.

 

I'm on board with everyone. I share this valuable information, and as I try and recruit craft beer novices and newbies I suggest beers and where they can find them if they are interested. If I find one of my favorite spots has gotten something great in, I tell anyone who knows of the beer or is looking to find some great stuff. Sharing is caring.

 

Everyone is predictably responding to this question with echos of "of course not, that's lame, you should always share, etc, etc." That's all fine and good. However, while I'd like to believe everyone is so kind, I would wager that if the situation were more specific, people wouldn't be so generous with information.

For example, let's say you just got an e-mail from you local bottle shop saying a case of KBS is in stock. You're at work and aren't able to go until you get off at 5:00 PM. Then, while on your lunch break and checking beeradvocate, you see a post tin your regional forum hat says "anyone know where I can get some KBS?"

How many of these people responding positively in this thread would put their money where their mouth is on that situation?

Now don't flame me, because if I were in that situation I'd spill the beans. I've discussed at length the importance of getting good craft into the hands of others, especially those who haven't tried it. However, seeing some of the behavior of people regarding rare beer I would bet my next pay check that a lot of people wouldn't say a peep if they were in the above situation.

 

I think, if you're going to an area, look at the regional forum, look for those threads, read it. Then go to the places search for that area.
If you are looking for something specific or specific information, then OK to ask via a thread.
Like for Boston: "I'm coming to town December 6 - 8, staying at the Copley hotel, I will not have a car. What bottle shops are nearby. What bars and breweries are an easy taxi or train ride away?"
Again, most of the time that has been asked, or if not that hotel, one next door. if you can't find something like that, OK to ask.

Also, to piggyback on what Providence said: NEVER expect to get whales when travelling to an out-of-town area. Meaning, never expect KBS, or even BCBS. Anything regular production is fine. I may be heading to San Francisco next year. I will look and hope to get Pliny the Elder. I will not expect to find RR's sours in mass quantities. If I was going to Chicago, and even went south to Munster, I would expect to find FFF ALpha King, Dreadnaught and Gumballhead. I will not expect to find Zombie Dust and Dark Lord.

 

I'm a beer advocate! So yes, I advise of the best beer opportunities.

 

I've been in this exact situation and in that case I sent a BeerMail to the OP about where to buy. Admittedly, if it were a rare I had not tried before (beer in question was FW Parabola) I don't know if I would have said anything.

 

Yes...i do. And I would hope expect nothing less if I were visiting, say, Chicagoland.

 

Just giving you a hard time. I should have used an emoticon. I frequently tell others about my go-to place, which looks like nothing but a Johnny Domestic store from the outside. Nope, it's craft beer heaven.

 

We are pretty good about it here in MD, but the thing is most people only pass through it on 1-95, so we tell them to stop at Stateline if they are headed up that way (PA), or Max's (bar) if they are in Baltimore. Yes there are other good stores, but they are extremely scattered about and in places that tourists would have no reason to visit other than for that store and perhaps a good, local restaurant. However, if they are looking for a specific-beer then I will tell them if it is available in MD still. Finally, I always tell people to perhaps visit or at least try beer from the best brewery in MD, Burley Oak (available at Max's, but the brewery is way out near the shore).

I've met one traveler here and I even gave him a whole Google Maps route with all the best locations in Baltimore for his family trip.

 

I lived in a few place in PA. If you ever decide to go to PA. State College has Ottos brewery, and Elk Creek. Many of the bars there serve both micros.

I currently live in Bethlehem and we have Fegaly. I personally enjoy their maibock and oatmeal stouts. There is two brewworks. One in Bethlehem and one in Allentown. Go to the one in Bethlehem, you might get shot in Allentown.

My family lives in Scranton, so I know Susquhanna brewery is a up and coming thing. But, to be honest just drink Lionshead if you ever decide to go to Scranton. But, the bars are great. A few places you can go in Scranton is the BOG and Backyard Ale house. But if you go on Thursday Kildares has $2 anything. That means even 90 min IPA.

 

I have been guilty of this myself. There is a store in town that has 2009 cantillon on sale for $19.95 a bottle and I kinda kept this to myself until I was done picking up what I wanted to cellar. That said when I did see someone coming to town I offered to pick them up and take them there. I think I have enough and have cleared out many spaces and shipped or traded away much of it so now will not be so protective of that spot. I think the problem being that the best beer stores get raided quickly and the gems are the ones that don't. I help those I can but not indescriminately post the locations.

 

To me it comes down to which community are you more loyal to, the community I live in or the online community I participate in? For me, I am more loyal to the people I work with, drink with and share a common location. As much as I am a supporter of the BA community, I will always support my local community more.

When it comes to limited releases, I definitely share information, I simply do not throw it out on the forums here. I will pass information along to my friends, this information gets passed along the local network fairly efficiently. I also pass this along to non-local friends who may find the information useful. If I happen to be sitting at the bar or at a store and wind up talking to someone from out of town I will gladly steer them in the right direction as well. Sharing is a wonderful thing, I just think there are better ways to share than posting it on a forum on BA. Information travels fast and word always gets out, I don't feel bad about taking care of the community I am loyal to first.

 

How I look at it is I love when people get to try the local flavor. I don't worry about them buying up all the good stuff because since we live here we get it before they do. Hope that makes sense.

 

I share the location my favorite beer shops with friends and acquaintances and BA travelers that share a love of great beer. Met an enthusiast standing in line at 3 Floyds. Casual conversation turned into "where do you like to shop?" I'd like to think everyone shares info about good beers and places to get 'em.
As for limited releases, etc. This site is as social as my media gets . . . no facebook or twiitter. Besides, for a limited release, I'm sure that every bottle shop in in the sights of a BA that hasn't shopped there before. It all works out.

 

Thanks for the info and don't worry - I'll make it a project to find out which store it is and put it out there for everyone.

 

lol. I'm sure you will. I have a few spots I keep to my self. Breweries, on the other hand, I love to let people know which in my area I think are best.

nice job trolling though. you make me so proud.

 

And kudos for you for sharing. You make ALL of us so proud.

 

thanks buddy.

 

I absolutely share any information without giving it a second thought. There's plenty to go around and I don't "have" to get a hold of any limited releases to ensure my happiness. If I share locations and I get less, it just means they need to make more.

Improving exposure to well deserved local spots can only be good for craft beer in my opinion. And it doesn't matter if it's sharing that information with someone that has a casual interest or is already a BA. We were all new to beer advocacy at one time until our interest became more passionate. I also think it's possible to be a casual beer advocate. Everything about this interest points to unadulterated sharing.