Best place to be a beer trader

"Portland - there seems to be a shortage of Portland traders, at least relative to the number of great breweries there (HotD, Cascade, Upright)."

Portland is a rather interesting when it comes to trading, you have an excessive amount of breweries, many of which make world class beers, combined with very small bottle releases and very few ratings. Portlanders love their local breweries, and rightfully so, but they also do not rate beers that often.

The result is a lot of the rare and/or would be highly rated beers that do not leave the city. I love the fact that people show up to tastings with local beers and everyone is excited.

Great city, great beer, great people, but few bottles leaving the area, which I am perfectly fine with

 

This is a Catch-22. The more you live in an area with great tradable beers, the less likely you are to really need to trade them. Some still do it for fun or to try other beers, but lots of people just never get started due to costs and it not being necessary.

 

We're gonna be neighbors in a few weeks .... I'll be in Stowe!

 

Welcome welcome! Feel free to drop a line if you ever want to grab a pint. I work in Stowe and drive past Crop often

 

Hell yeah bro! I'll be working at Fletcher Allen in Burlington ... but I'm down for a brew or 8!

 

You don't say... BM sent.

 

That means you'll be driving through Waterbury for work. Yep, we'll be grabbing beers at some point, I'm sure!

 

Brussels, 3F & Loons will trade for just about anything,anywhere! Besides why trade them when you can drink them.

I almost have the same problem here in Northern Vermont, just not enough good sours here.

 

I'm from Chicago so...Portland would be my answer.

 

bingo. i want to slap people who complain they can't trade alpine for hill farmstead*.

*lol, technically pat couldn't pull it off either. too soon?

 

Inbox explosion in 3...2...

 

Where, geographically, would you locate the winning place? I like to be there.

 

I'd agree somewhat with Franklinn, that he lives in the best place. Waterbury is such a great town. But I live closer to HF (30mins) and pass by where Lawson's and Alchemist make a drop off every friday, every day on my way to/from work (Hunger Mtn). They also are the 2nd best place for beer in the state (Bevy being #1).

My second place would be Portland OR. I was only able to spend 4 days in Portland, but it is a great city.

 

I wouldn't mind living a little bit closer to HF.

Plus, you guys have Grateful Hands up there now, right? I'm looking forward to getting up there for a growler soon.

 

Closer to HF, but in the middle of f'ing no where, even by HF standards. Yea I haven't had any Grateful Hands either yet. They'll be at Groton Farmer's market this weekend, and Morrisville Farmer's market the weekend after that. Supposedly bottling for the first time too. The brewery isn't really opened (IE: Lawson's), afaik.

 

Anywhere in belgium then you got access to most the good stuff!

 

Great Odin's Raven! I'm surprised a whale's vagina hasn't come up. Between Alpine, Ballast Point, Lost Abbey & Alesmith there's a ton of delicious beer available.

 

Back off Ryan! I've got all of Frank's Minnesota needs take care of already.

 

There doesn't really seem to be a lot of mention in regards to So Cal. Tons of great breweries with great beer coming out all year long. Sure a lot of it seems to find its way to the other side of the country but it still carries its grasp of trade-able beer with its brewery only releases.

And Im not sitting too bad up here in Nor Cal. We all know Russian River nestles quietly in Santa Rosa. And Toronado be tossing out CCs. But we also see a lot of solid distribution. Even though it takes a while..