How do you source beers?

You could trade here on the BA forum . Use apps like Tavour or Half-Time.

 

I have used CraftShack and Beer Drop, to have beer shipped to me. And whenever I'm traveling I always ask the bartender what's the best beer store in town...

 

I want to be a beer source-er-er

 

TBH I don't usually bother. I have a few beer shops that I frequent that can get just about anything, and I'm near enough a few world-class breweries.
There's always enough variety available to me that I don't usually worry about other white whales that don't get near me. If I'm travelling, I'll always (well, if I have some time to myself) look to avail myself of the local color (preferably a nice amber shade...)
I do have a few places and beers I'd like to try - more Russian River, Abbey ales and so on, but I'm not a trader or anything like that.

 

For a beer that you want, check online at the brewery's website to see if they ship, and then check to see if they ship to your state.

 

For most here it is one of 2 things
1) Trading
2) Dedicating a lot of time traveling

3rd would be spending tons of money but i guess that falls into 1 and 2

 

In the words of Ian MacKaye:

Make do with what you have, take what you can get

 

Tavour is good for getting stuff you might not see on the shelves. If you have something particular in mind and don't mind second hand prices then * is the way to go

 

BA's beer boxes with Half Time have been insanely good and almost all of the beer is not locally available for me in California.

Otherwise, local breweries keep their taps rotating frequently enough, I don't worry too much about what I can't get distribution-wise. Trading is too much effort to me.

I've seen other people mention Tavour. I've tried them, too and it works great, but you definitely pay for the convenience.

 

This. Before Tavour and the like, the trading forums on BA (and that other site!) were the way to go, and served my ticking needs well.

Prior to that (early 2000s) there were certain* retail liquor stores in Colorado as well as the East and West coasts that would ship to certain states, and sometimes Minnesota was included in those states.

I would suggest that you look into the “liquor stores that ship” option, and also consider trading. It is worth the time and effort if you are serious enough about the beer drinking hobby, and also feel limited by the local retail options.

*R.I.P. Liquid Solutions!

 

Depending on where you are in Illinois, you should have access to a real decent distribution with a little bit of driving. If you're in northern Illinois, then Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana are a reasonable drive. In southern Illinois then Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee could be close. Scope out what craft stores in nearby states are closest, then check their website and Facebook pages to get an idea of how much craft they have. I wish we had the distribution you get in Illinois!

I live five minutes from Minnesota and Iowa, but the closest craft selection is a 90 minute drive to Sioux City IA for Charlie's Liquor. Otherwise a 3 hour drive to Omaha for Wine, Beer, and Spirits, a 4 hour drive to Minneapolis for Total Wine and others, or a 4.5 hour drive to my favorite craft store, Casanova in Hudson, WI. Those drives helped me achieve 'all-styles' twice, with some trading too. I usually tie these trips to family activities/vacations. Once or twice a year, I remind the womenfolk they haven't made an outlet-mall trip to the Minneapolis or Omaha area lately, and I of course have stores I'll run to while they shop.

We either fortunately or unfortunately can't do mail-order here. I'd probably be ordering/spending too much if I could. I did order from Belgium once.

 

The first thing you should do is try the stuff available in your area and then ask yourself if you think the stuff outside your area will be much different.

 

Total Wines in Norfolk, Chesapeake and VA Beach (worst to best for total wine)

Casual Pint in VA Beach
Earlybirds in Poquoson
Boonies in Moyock NC for an adventure

I wish RVA was closer and the traffic didn't suck. Corks n Kegs there rules.

 

I don't know where in the Illinois you are. I'm Chic ago based, so I really don't know anything about Garfields, or Liquor barn. But, Binny's is actively a hoover for beer, and will have a much broader range of the not local, and also import than nearly anyone else.
There is also the Beer Temple in Chicago proper. Which will also have a MASSIVE selection of things that you will probably not see anyplace else. Including Binny's. They also serve food, and have a taproom.
p.s. As you may be discovering, there will be breweries that have canning lines, and the rare Meheen that is still out in the wild that will also have taproom only product.

 

And even if do think that, you're probably going to be disappointed more often than not.