1st Time Beer Trading

Id start with local for local....being in cali u have access to some good beers....find some shelf stuff and trade for shelf stuff around the u.s. and build ur rep and try some new beers....get a few trades under ur belt then try going after brewery releases to get stuff u like and want to try....hope that helps gl op

 

Yup I would maybe list a few that u can get and list as your ft (for trade) and then find a few ud like to try and put them as ur iso (in search of)

 

I am pretty new to it too but one thing that really helps your rep is including nice extras. Being in SoCal Modern Times is a great one to use for extras as they are relatively inexpensive not available very far outside Cali and of course they are awesome.

 

Also you will probably have to ship first on your first trade or two. Just make sure you get an official trade opened before you send anything.

 

Depends on who and where your trading too, shipping to Ca takes a bit longer obviously boxes always sit over a weekend. Be mindful where your shipping, as it gets colder temps really matter, same with extreme heat. Try an expand a bit it's expensive to trade to Ca for 2 bottles of beer, make it worthwhile. Check seekbrew too to see what's available, ie: I'm in Nc but I get Knee Deep Simtra. Be prepared for your wallet to take an ass kicking trading is deceptively expensive.

 

I've only done the one trade so far. Shipping makes it fairly expensive for sure. In my case, just being active on the forum lead to a trade (and two other requests) as people saw that I had access to certain beers and messaged me asking if I'd like to trade. You can check distribution here. http://www.seekabrew.com/distro/index.html California is interesting because many of those breweries get wide distribution. I can get Port/Lost Abbey, Ballast Point and Bear Republic, but somebody in Minnesota would only get Ballast Point. So maybe you could try to get some Surley.

 

Be careful pre-buying unless you are prepared to drink it. People won't want old IPAs etc. Might be easier to list stuff you know you can get anytime, without buying first.

 

Betcha could get some right coast locals for yours. Alpine comes to mind.

 

I'd ask why you want to start trading when you are new to craft beer. Sounds like you haven't even explored all the bounty that exists in your market. You live in one of (if not the) best craft beer states. I'd humbly suggest drinking all that you have available, learning what you like/don't like, pay more attention to local breweries and their limited releases if you want to go down that road, and then, if you start wanting other stuff to try, try to get some trades done. That would be my $.02, take it for what it's worth. Either way enjoy the craft beer journey!

 

Completely agree.

 

You know it.

 

I started trading earlier this year and found that the easiest way not to make an ass out of yourself with ridiculous offers (or, on the other hand, to get yourself trade raped) is to watch the trade forums and see what gets done vs. what doesn't get done. Good luck - it's addicting.

 

HuskyHawk - Being from Massachusetts as well, are there any craft beers (specifically Pumpkin induced) you'd suggest? Being from the same state I should be able to get whatever you suggest.

DanielBarba- I came on this site just now to post exactly what you did! I'm a new beer trader from Massachusetts (another amazing craft beer haven) that just bought my first Microbrew Beer Club Package. If you'd like more info on that, I can give it to you! I haven't gotten my first shipment yet, but cannot WAIT! As a first time beer trader myself, I'd be willing to trade with you first and if need be, I can send first as well. Shoot me a private message (I think that's how it works) and we can talk more!

Nick
@NickLesogor

 

PumKing and Warlock from Southern Tier, Smashed Pumpkin from Shipyard and believe it or not, Harpoon UFO Pumpkin is really good. Long Trail Imperial pumpkin is also excellent. In non pumpkin themed beers there is a long, long list depending on what you like. If trading with the OP I would suggest things like Be Hoppy and Hopulence from Wormtowm, the Maine Brewing hoppy beers (Lunch, MO, Zoe, Another One, tiny beautiful something...) and Clown Shoes stouts.

 

HuskyHawk,
Thank you for the recs! I actually have tried (or currently have) most of those, so it's a great measuring stick for where my craft beer tasting here at home is. Lunch by Maine Brewing is UNREAL. Im not a huge stout guy myself, but Clown Shoes has some solid brews for sure. Can't go wrong with Harpoon or my second favorite brewery in Long Trail!

 

I am trying to get through figuring out how to get my first trade done as well. I know having no trades under my belt means I need to ship first, but would like to find someone with a good record first. Living in South/Central Florida I have a pretty good connection to beers like Cigar City, Terrapin, Swamp Head, and other up and comers. My thought was to try and find someone who just wanted to trade local beer for their local beer. I also have some heavy hitter like hunahpu, but am not quite sure how to get the bigger trades done. Advice would be much appreciated!