Overzealous beer geekery: "back to basics"?

You've just described my whole philosophy to beer trading and beer in general. Mostly though I just 'let it happen' in the knowledge that whales fall into my lap without forcing the issue.

 

Ill trade you some of that awesome local Antwerp Gin for some beer!

 

Constantly. I focus on "little-time wants" almost exclusively and leave the "whale slaying" to the chumps. Ok, "chumps" is excessive, some of those whales are damn good.

 

I hunted for whales for a couple months before I realized most of them were equal or worse than what I can find off the shelf for cheaper. Most of them, but not all.

My philosophy is if I see one in a beer store I'll grab it, but I wont go out of my way for anything hyped or crazy highly rated anymore. I say good for you!

 

I recently did a nice locals for locals trade. Basic stuff is always interesting.

 

I think it's really cool that you've come to this point in life. It's good for the scene. I feel like beer has become a huge fad, recently, and many newcomers are getting into the scene by just naming/chasing the popular whales instead of appreciating the entire world of alcoholic beverages. Many new guys on the scene are unfortunately in my age group (mid-20's) and don't really take the time to find their own niche, but rather chase what everyone else rates highly. There is plenty to learn about the entire history of beer as well as what once evolved into beer. Simplicity really will teach you more than complexity in the long run. So goes with brewing if you ever get into that. Simple recipes with alternating yeast brings out just as much flavor as packing in tons of hops, fruit, and grains. Learn the roots before trying to appreciate the complex blends and you will appreciate those complexities ten fold. As they say, walk before you run.

 

Agreed. It's difficult to not get caught up in the hype. I speak as someone who is relatively new and needs to take a reality check every once in a while. I am fortunate to live in Chicago and have access to many spectacular beers, but still find myself day dreaming about the BA Speedway's and what not. Great to get back to the basics, because, aren't they what got us into this to begin with? Now to crack open a mirror pond pale...

 

Completely agree, i've decided to make 2013 a year of beer drinking, instead of 2011/2012 which were whale hunting and shelf stacking. My ethos for this year is "drink more beer".

 

Weyerbacher Insanity is my poor man's Sucaba (though I still love me some Sucaba).

 

I like to read about the whales, but whether I can get them or not doesn't bother me. I drink what I find interesting to me.

 

I am lucky to live just outside Philadelphia with access to great craft pubs around every corner. Not tons of competition, so everyone has decent prices and wants to spread beer advocacy, talk beer, build friendships, and even meet up outside of work. If you're going to Total Wine and trading online for whales (which other people call whales, but may not even be a style you understand, yet) you're missing the entire experience that this site was built on. One of my first jobs was at John Harvard's Brew House. I didn't know much, but I got to learn the basics of brewing from a guy named Keith. A kid named Ian worked with me and eventually lived right by my first apartment a few years later. He suggested going to a local pub. A few years ago, I met up with Todd and Jason in Philly and talked brewing with Todd for a good half hour. I'm a nobody, but I know my stuff (no matter how much of an asshole I come off to be) because I love learning, talking, drinking, and brewing with people that love the same. That's what beer advocacy is, and although it's cool to trade for rare beer, you're missing the entire point, experience, and scene that is fucking awesome. To me, if you're excited about a 4oz. pour and don't care about finding Moylan's Hopsickle on draft, your're not doing this right.

 

I plan to search for rare beers one at a time. I actually am hoping to hit the jackpot and do very little trading. I am seeking out physical locations to scavenge! I've never had a whale by the standards of this site. Personally, im not even interested in seeking out every whale. Unless i love the style anyways THAT much, it seems pointless to me. But i feel there will always be the basics; more reasonably priced beer that I love. Good beer is good beer, it doesn't matter how much i paid for it, rather how much I enjoy it!

 

And it's an incredible treat and a lot of fun when 'whales' from your region are released and are relatively easily accessible. It's the attitude of wanting to try the top 50 beers (as determined by a flawed system) and they loose the enjoyment and care-freeness that it is.

 

I imagine it can be a very fine line between not hunting whales and becoming a ticker. I love trying new beers but not for the sake of adding to my hads or getting to another Untappd badge. I left my local bottle shop afew minutes ago, the owner cracked open a bottle that I had no idea about (Evil Twin Ashtray Heart) and I left with a few bottles based primarily on his recommendation
A few months ago, I would spend time trying to find the rarest (or most expensive) bottle that I could find. I now know what I prefer...

 

I can tell you're from Europe because you're not too lazy to spell out "et cetera."

 

I turned 21 in October of 2011. I started out trying to find all the wales because I thought my friends would be jealous. That got expensive. Now I'm focusing on locals and trying to find everyday beers. I'll go out of my way for some special beers (Parabola, BCBS, and a couple others) but I'm cool for now buying local beers that fit my budget.

 

There's also no better feeling than finding a beer no-one knows about that you love.

 

This.

I would also say that anyone who can't enjoy a well made pilsner needs to take a step back as well. And don't get me wrong, I'm a fan for the most enamel peeling sour and your most over the top well made stout. (Black Water Series, Black Tuesday, Black Damnation series, etc.) But if you can't appreciate something on the lighter side, like someone who automatically adds salt to their food, you need to retrain your palate.

 

i like your attitude. As an old guy and longtime beer drinker my high ABV, overhopped beer love phase was thankfully short and sweet. I loved my trip to Belgium, drinking all the high end Belgians I could find, but since then I've gone back to my comfortable stouts, porters, and of course my all time favorite pale ale Mirror Pond.