Is it still basically an hour+ wait no matter when you go with limits enforced? I moved back to IL from MA in July so haven't been up since then. I was tossing around the idea of trading something like the BA Mex Cake set for someone to send $4$ in growlers, and then agree to be a regular trading partner (i.e. sending growlers) going forward. But if it's still such a pain in the ass to get through the line and low limits, on top of the trek for most to get there, I feel like this might be difficult. Any thoughts on something like this?
If you offer up the mexican cake set $4$ you'll likely literally get dozens of responses. It's only a pain in terms of the time it takes to get through the line, and while you're in line you can get samples which makes it somewhat more pleasant. I don't think you'd need to offer that much up, but if you're looking for a regular trade partner, I'm sure you'd find one that way.
In my experience, the best way to get HF growlers is to find someone who will be there soon (better chance with a mule/friend), by simply posting a trade with some desirable beers. Regular VT traders with access to HF are very hard to come by unless you have access to limited beers consistently. With the constant new limited releases around the country, locals with access to those typically offer up those for HF, VT/HF traders aren't likely to be trading for your local growlers. So unless you can supply limited beers for each trade, I wouldn't give up a Cake set $4$ because it will likely be a 1-time thing. I can usually lock up a long-term trade partner pretty quickly for any trading area of the country, but failed to do so repeatedly with HF traders. I basically decided not to bother and rely on my local trade partners (Philly area), New England trade partners who go up there once in a while, and random traders going up to HF, for a growler or 2 from time to time. Good luck either way.
Yeah, last time I was there it was about an hour, but it has been as much as 2+ hours other times. HF growlers shouldn't require a set of BAMC, but it will sure guarantee some great responses!
