Extras Etiquette

Sure, we'll all agree with the spirit of generosity in a forum, but it's what we do "behind closed doors" on a trade that really matters. I think what everyone is saying is don't pillory the guy for throwing in a crappy extra since it's just an extra - they're not saying "they're just extras so don't worry about sending great stuff." Your advice is about what to do. But this isn't a thread about what to do; it's about how to evaluate what people do to you. And I think we all agreee that you may want to re-consider deepening a trading relationship with someone that sees trades with you as a way to offload their unwanted beers instead of an opportunity to surprise and delight you.

 

Agree. It's so old I'm inclined to think the guy was sending something he thought might be of interest as a barley wine.

 

I'm starting to specify "no extras please" more often with my trades. Too much stressing out trying to figure out what the other guy might have in his cellar or can buy off the shelf in his area or what styles he likes. If people want to expand the trade with some lesser beers that's fine but the whole extras thing gets out of hand at times.

On the OP, sending back the same extra you received to the same person would indeed be an asshat move. If you're going to do extras then try to send something you think the other trader will like.

 

I think the "no extras" thing is kind of lame. I literally do not care if I do not receive an extra, and the extras I throw in tend to have a wide range, and its totally random. In regards to OP's point, I would take a sip of the 2011 Double Jack just cuz its such an oddity, and if its gross pour it down the drain and forget about it.

 

http://www.seekabrew.com/distro/compare.html

 

I always include something I usually know the other person cannot get. There are some great local small breweries that just started up that have some fantastic shelf beers. I send those to not only let the other guy try something new and different but to also help the local breweries in the process with a small bit of exposure. It isn't much but I know that if I owned a brewery and saw some guy in Texas or California checking in my beer on untappd or some other venue and liked the beer...that would make my day.

I was on the receiving end of a great Texas brew that didnt have distro...I asked the guy to send me a 6 pack of it I was so impressed. So i've been on the other side of it and see how cool it can be to find something you really like that you would likely never have tried.

But yet I do check bottling dates as that is important.

 

Is it possible this guy does not know ipa's dont age well? This would make for a teachable moment.