Firestone Walker 18 - Drink now or age?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Phoam, Jan 9, 2015.

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  1. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Each year's blend varies; some are cellar-worthy others are not. You should drink it fresh and then decide whether you want to buy another to cellar.
     
    #41 Jwale73, Jan 10, 2015
  2. Phoam

    Phoam Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2014 New York

    Thanks for the advice, everyone. I just found out another store has a few left. In general, are these good trade material? There are some many things I would like to try, but I have a hard time finding stuff around here WNY that is listed as an ISO.
    Again, thanks for the input. I'm even more excited to try it now.
     
    #42 Phoam, Jan 10, 2015
  3. ASak10

    ASak10 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014 Colorado

    It sees pretty wide distro so trading is a bit limited, but it also sells out really fast in certain markets (Denver, Chicago, probably many others) so it'll pull something. Probably $4$ of more limited distribution/shelf stuff. So depends on what you are looking for...it won't pull anything crazy, but will certainly get you some excellent beers.

    Also, in NY, you have plenty of stuff that people will trade for - Sixpoint, Bells, Carton, Ithaca, Jack's Abby...not sure what all you get in western NY but I'm guessing you have more than you realize to trade. A lot of ISO are for crazy beers, but I think most trades that happen involve fairly regular beers that are simply out someone's distribution...but those trades don't get the hype or attention so you don't hear much about them.
     
    #43 ASak10, Jan 10, 2015
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  4. Phoam

    Phoam Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2014 New York

    Thanks, this is exactly the info I was looking for. I'm not looking for anything more that $4$, just looking to try some stuff we can't get around here. It's good to hear that most trades aren't for the big ticket items I've been seeing in the trading forum. This may be slightly off-topic, but is posting my own ISO POST the best way to initiate some trades along those lines? Sorry for the noobish questions, I'm fairly new to the whole process.
     
    #44 Phoam, Jan 10, 2015
  5. ASak10

    ASak10 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014 Colorado

    Yes, that's definitely the best way to start. Even something like ISO: You locals FT: NY Distro (or list some of the things you have access to). Try to get familiar with the trade forums and how things are done...and have fun. What's the worst that can happen? You post and get crickets, or a few people posting something, and that's that. You learn and move on, try again. Recently I had to pursue a trade for a few weeks, posting offers, responding to threads, etc. trying to track down a beer...and finally got it done.

    Also try to find threads like this that usually have great advice on getting started:

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/how-to-break-into-trading.242944/

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/trade-help.242905/

    And for my statement on most trades...I mean, there are only so many big ticket beers out there for trade, yet look at all the trades that are done. It just makes sense that most aren't for crazy, 300 bottle brewery only releases. I'm certainly no trade expert...and most of my trades now are with people who I just swap boxes with and we don't really "trade," we just kind of swap beer. Quite frankly, there's so much beer I have available here that I haven't tried that I should just stop trading altogether...
     
    #45 ASak10, Jan 10, 2015
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  6. Phoam

    Phoam Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2014 New York

    That makes a ton of sense. I'm not looking for crazy exclusive stuff; I just want to try things that we don't normally get around here. It makes perfect sense that there are other people who are looking to do the same.

    Thank you for taking the time to offer such good advice. I love the spirit of generosity that so many people in the beer community have.
     
    #46 Phoam, Jan 11, 2015
    ASak10 likes this.
  7. tbone1384

    tbone1384 Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2010 Wyoming

    You must not have had the 16th. Tasted by far the thinnest to me (and others), probably due to way too much velvet merkin and not enough parabola.
     
    #47 tbone1384, Jan 25, 2015
  8. tbone1384

    tbone1384 Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2010 Wyoming

    On the 18th anniversary, I'd drink it fresh if you only have one. Drinking great right now, although I expect it to age quite well.
     
    #48 tbone1384, Jan 25, 2015
  9. TWStandley

    TWStandley Pooh-Bah (2,166) Jan 15, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Drink fresh or you will have no idea if cellaring improved it or not...
     
    #49 TWStandley, Jan 26, 2015
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