Hello all. My first post here. IvI' been reading posts the last few days trying to learn how the trading of beer works. I'm in a situation that I don't know what to do or how to get started. My current situation. I live in a small town with very little good beer around. There is a gas station that will get a few craft beers and a liquor store that has a somewhat decent selection. Nothing rare or hard to get I think. I have to drive about 45 minutes to an hour to find a good selection. That makes my offers selection kind of limited. I use untappd. My local liquor store is verified and keeps their stock updated. Anyone interested in adding me on there and seeing if there's anything at my local place that you are interested in? What else could I do? I like to try all the different beers I can. I don't have the access to the high dollar or rare beers so I'm not expecting to trade for those. Suggestions for a newbie on how to get started?
Do you have access to local breweries? I’ll trade for local that I have not had that you enjoy or recommend.
Also, have you read this? https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/how-to-get-started-with-trading.353318/
I've read that link. As far as local breweries, there's one in my town that just started. The only way to get their drinks is on draft at some local bars. Growlers are possible. Not many breweries that I think are considered local. Nothing fancy. I live in middle TN. Ole Shed is fairly close. I can find some of their cans. Some Mayday Brewery cans. A few Honky Tonk. Bearded Iris, Jackalope, little Harpith, Monday Night (GA but a bunch here), New Heights, Southern Grist, Tailgate, The Black Abby, Wiseacre(I love their Gotta Get Up to Get Down coffee stoit), Wild Heaven(another GA I can get), and Yee-Haw. I don't have access to everything they make, but can look for specific things .
On Bearded Iris I could get these easily: Chasing Rainbows IPA Overcast festbier Ever Clear DDH IPA Forcast Lager Tunnel Vision IPA Technicolor Pilsner Southern Grist DDH Mixed Greens XXX IPA Pressing Matters Reisling IPA Loud Whispers Pale Ale They aren't cheap but can get them. Think some trading is possible? How should I go about getting that out there and start trading? I know being new that I don't have a reputation yet.
Just post a trade offer in the locals for locals trade thread. FT: Bearded Iris and Southern Grist hops. ISO: list something you want to try.
Yeah, OP, not sure if you are looking for particular styles in return but if so, mention that in your post. Also, as you might expect, being a new trader you will be expected to ship first. Not a big deal but just mentioning it. Also, make sure you a trade request is accepted by the other party prior to anything being shipped by either party. The feedback system is one of the benefits of trading through BA. Good luck!
Be sure to check dates... I, too, lived in a small town with mostly outdated stock on beers that were desirable. Be sure to communicate with your trade partner canning dates. I only say this because bearded iris and southern grist are ipa’s that can turn quite quick.
Good point. And conversely, if OP is looking for a style where freshness is key (e.g., IPAs) make sure you ask the other trader what his/her can/bottle dates are as well. I know most traders are diligent in getting fresh beers but there are always some who will send less than fresh beer.
OP, I will add that you need to be aware of dates. Not sure if you have read on here yet about IPAs and dates, but freshness matters when it comes to hops. So when you are trading Bearded Iris, you need to make sure that you inquire about how fresh people want them, or how fresh they are available. It can go either way. Read in the trading forum about shipping, packing, etc. Know that the price of Bearded Iris really is not that expensive, and that other hops can be just as expensive. Know that shipping can add up, but if shipping mostly cans and receiving cans, you can get a lot in a USPS flatrate box, and the cost per beer will only bcrease by a buck or 2. Might seem like a lot, but not that bad when you want to try new stuff. I travel through TN sometimes, especially in the winter. Whereabouts are you other than "central"?
I live about and hour and a half southeast of Nashville. If you drew a triangle using Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville as the points, I'd be in the middle. Maybe it's my area or maybe I'm still green when it comes to small breweries but they sure seem expensive to me. They are up there in price with Dragon's Milk. I guess I'm used to going to breweries and getting flights for $6-$10 and having more beer than I get in a 4 pack. I have only been enjoying craft beer for about a year now. I spent over 2 decades drinking "normal" beer thinking everything else was just "weird" beer. I couldn't stand an IPA. Too hoppy and grassy tasting. Stouts we're too heavy and thick it seemed. I just wasn't drinking them at the right time. Now if I've been outside working and extremely hot I want the hoppiest IPA I can find.
you can hit me up if you want to do a simple locals trade too man. I’ve got some stouts and some IPAs I can send your way to get you started
