Just curious how everyone else does their "extras" when shipping a box in trade. I usually swing by the bottle shop and grab a few things, depending on what it is going out, on my way to mail out the box. Then I'll just wrap it up really quick and throw it in before taping up the box and heading into where I'm mailing it from. Only problem with this is I'm never sure what the other individual in the trade has access to. Vegas isn't known for a huge amount of distribution so most of the time I include something local that I know they probably won't have access too. Either a fresh IPA, or the most recent seasonal. I've never received an extra from someone that I was able to get here. Probably because Vegas does not get a lot. So, I guess I'm just wondering is it "okay" to send an extra that they might be able to get? Should I really worry about it that much? At this rate, I might just buy a case of a local seasonal the next time it's released to have on hand as "extras" in trades - just to save me a stop on the way to mail out a box.
extras are extras, but seekabrew.com gives a decent shot at knowing what is in the persons reach..most people would be happy with stuff they cant get instead of something they can go to the store and buy..
I normally check to see if any of my locals/shelf beers available to me are in my partners 'wants'. Then seekabrew to see if its available. Then a lot of the times I just wind up sending Sweet Baby Jesus because I am from MD ...
Thanks you both for the "seekabrew" info. I'll give that a whirl next time and see. Could be a very useful tool. And you cannot go wrong with throwing in Sweet Baby Jesus. Love that one.
Extras for me depend a lot on what I have on hand, my mood, reviews other people gave the person I'm trading with, they are a bonus so even if the person may get that beer in there area it's still bonus beer that I will not be mad about getting myself.
First thing I do is look at the persons profile and see if they log their beers. If so I try to send something they've never had. Sun King always goes over well and then other locals like Daredevil. Then I look at their wants. In one trade the guy said one of his biggest wants was Peruvian Morning and even though I only had one bottle left I had had it several times and he was VERY appreciative.
If its not part of the trade, a few cans of Heady and whatever else is fresh / local that my trader doesn't have access to (Jacks Abby, MBC, maybe some Fiddlehead, etc.)
Joseph James Bourbon Wee Heavy or Bourbon RIS make great Vegas extras. Also Tenaya Creek BW or I Stout work too. We also now have Ninkasi and Cismontane which I am pretty sure most of the the east coast does not get.
Actually picked up some Ninkasi IPAs to include in today's. Have included the Joseph James and Tenaya Creek's you suggested as well before. All have been great hits!
