IP Trading

Bring extras and be generous! I usually like to meet up at a craft bar to grab a pint and talk beer or whatever.

No matter what you do, it always feels like a low end drug deal haha

 

I am really only capable of trading through shipping - extras are a fun surprise - how do you give extras in person? 'and I got you one of these! and one of these!'

Sounds awkward.

 

Probably not as awkward as you think. The awkwardness might come from the receiver who isn't expecting the extra, but someone who gives an extra "just because" probably isn't looking for something in return other than appreciation. My advice: Be gracious, and pass it forward. This is beer, after all, and sharing is what it should be about.

 

something little from the cellar is always nice as an extra

 

How would you feel if they brought you extras and you didn't bring any for them?
It doesn't have to be big, just something they can't get (use seekabrew) or haven't had, hopefully!

 

That's exactly what I would expect... I'd be standing there blushing and feeling guilty, myself having no access to stellar extras.

 

You bust out some extra liquid and say "Let's drink it". done!

 

I do understand. It's partly a matter of geography and partly a matter of access. Some of us just live in parts of the country that are known more for great beer than others. And some of us just have better opportunities to get our hands of these beers, whether because our jobs permit us the ability to get in line or because we have personal relationships with retailers and distributors.

But if I can get you something, and you've never had it before, well I'm gonna do what I can. Why? Because, I think it's cool give someone else a try for a beer they may have wanted and never have tried.

I'd go even further to say that 1:1 IP trades are seldom equal anyway. Both parties may agree on the trade, but I can about guarantee you that one person values the beer they're getting more than the other. I recently traded for a Dark Lord, and while I think the other person got a fine beer from me, I cannot tell you how much I valued the opportunity to get a beer that has been on my list for years. Years.

 

Just work it out with the guy. I always ask the guys if they want to do extras or not. Sometimes I'm not in a position to do it, other times I throw a few in. If you just communicate with the person, you can work it out. I always feel that when all else fails, just ask! Hell I've thrown in locals to a local and he appreciated it.

 

You can just be up front with the trader and ask extras? You're not dating so no need for mind games.

 

It has been awkward when they aren't visiting Wisconsin so we have access to all the same "normal" shelf beers. Not a big deal though...it doesn't hurt to establish if you are doing extras before the trade. I always try to have one or two beers I really like or seasonals at least to give away if I don't have anything semi-rare or out of normal distribution.

 

Same as mail trading except in person. Extras are always nice but if you're on the fence about it, just email your trading partner. Also, extras don't always have to be beer. Be creative. I once did an IP with a guy and I put together a nice box for him and he gave me cookies....trust me, I was very happy

 

The awkward dynamics of IP beer trading would've made a great Seinfeld episode

 

My most recent trading partner included (in addition to many fine extra beers) a collection of coasters and stickers, and some beer newspapers from his area. I thought it was really cool!

 

I never give extra’s unless if agreed upon prior.

I don’t find IP trades awkward at all, finding the person that you are trading with can be a hassle though. You don’t know how they look like, if you are trading at a beer festival, try getting hold of them. You arrange a spot & an hour and then they sometimes don’t show up there & you need to go looking etc.

 

I view extras as a way to drop some of my personal favorites in rather than trying to match or outdo the caliber of the trade itself. Usually shelf beers that I like but may not get much attention, taking into consideration what I know about my trade partner. For IP trades, the probability that you share the same distro increases, so that's when non-beer extras (bottlecap magnets, glassware, cookies) make more sense.

 

It comes down to communication, as you both said, since everyone is different. I've seen it all, from no extras agreed upon, to 1 showed up without extras, to embarrassingly out-extra'ed that I begged my partner to take some back which he refused, to both partners showed up with identical extra, to agree on no extras then show up with some anyway (both sides).

It's just a lot easier to agree on "no extras" right up front, especially if you don't do a lot of shipped trades. Without something interesting that can't be obtained locally, being in the same general distro area makes it hard to come up with extras. That said, one of the last IP trades my partner said he's bringing an extra, so I told him I would too. No reason not to be flexible. I have another upcoming IP trade and my partner seems relieved when I said "let's keep it no extras if you don't mind" because he was having a hard time coming up with extra(s) himself.

 

For some reason I have almost come to expect extras in regular trades, but not in IP trades. Don't know why that is, just is. I will usually just sit down and have a beer with the dude. Bottom line, I won't bring extras to an IP trade unless agreed upon before hand.

 

I've done two recent IPs, threw in a BBQ for one, a Luminous in the last one in which I had no problems doing and went into the trade not expecting anything in return, but got a beer or two back. Although now I realized I may be putting the other person in an awakward position by doing this. I did just somewhat recently move so it was easy to bring an extra not available here and I guess I just wanted to be generous to the person who took the time out of their day to meet and trade with me.