How do you keep up with the beer scene?

This hobby of mine has been going on strong for near 15-16 years now. It's come around full circle and I know what I like and what I don't. After this much time, I'm actually trying to break habits, buying & browsing behaviors, and stop filling boredom with a couple brews. For the first time I'm doing my best NOT to keep up with the beer scene and focus more of that time and energy on other things. Trading has pretty much came to a halt and having a 16 month old changes perspective. (I'm still on BA wayyyy to much) Hard habit to break.

I do, however; feel that it's easiest t keep up with the scene using BA and all it's features...

For the most part the scene is full of quality and generous people!

Good luck!

 

Check out and get involved in the forums on this website. They more you interact, the more you will learn and the more relationships within the community you will develop.
The magazine is always a great read. I travel a lot for work and love bringing it along for in flight reading. Met a few people for trading when they struck up a conversation while I was reading my BA mag in the terminal.

 

I wouldn't try to hunt down hard to find beers. Go for the classics and drink a lot of them so that you understand the standards for each style. I prefer the classics anyway.

Recommendations:

American
Anchor Steam
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sculpin IPA
Founders Porter
Old Rasputin or Ten Fidy
Victory at Sea

Belgian
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Liefman's Goudenband
Saison Dupont
Duvel
Orval
Westmalle Dubbel
Westmalle Tripel
Rochefort 10
Hanssens Oude Geueze
Oud Beersel Oude Kriek Vielle

British
Landlord Pale Ale
Fuller's London Porter
Fuller's Vintage Ale
J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale

German
Jever Pilsener
Aecht Schlenkerla Helles
Aecht Schlenkerla Marzen
Ayinger Dunkel
Ayinger Celebrator
Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel
Weihenstepaner Original
Weihenstepaner Hefeweissbier
Schneider Aventinus

 

I may have more breweries and bottle shops in my Facebook feed than actual friends

The breweries/shops tend to post more interesting things anyway.

 

I would second el Bait Shop. Currently 176 on tap, 36 bottled, 34 canned. At least you might find a select few to keep up with.

 

I became a member of Beer Advocate.

 

I feel the same way at times. I view here, I follow FB pages, untappd, other blogs. I know what locals are drinking. I know what places are opening and which ones are releasing new stuff. I don't know if its a rut that I'm in, but I have no inclination to physically go out and, bare the lines, parking etc.. for what "could be" a great beer. A bottle shop visit of trusty stand bys is usually enough for me, I'm okay missing out on stuff. I don't need to try every new beer that is nearby. I read and want to know the happenings. But usually don't act on it. ABQ's beer scene is growing (who's scene isn't?). I still haven't tried many places just 4 miles away. Time, $$$$, laziness. I can't pinpoint it.

OP, do you want to know if the grass is greener on the other side? I say give it a go. You may enjoy the endless new beers. I do think many come full circle after being burnt out or simply finding their favorite styles and knowing what to stick with on that front.

 

I normally research tap list and special releases almost every time I go out.

 

I got a job at a bottle shop so I could be on the front line of special releases and also for the discount.

@Cobratrooper SPOON!!!

 

Brew your own.

 

Your regional forums are a definite help in looking for certain beers. Find a good store and stay with it, if your causal or rarely buy they don't see you really contributing. Even if you want a simple sixer buy from that store not because it's $1 cheaper at Walmart or Total Wine. Flat out ask about things your interested in, they're business men they mean to sell what they buy from the distributor. It takes time to develop relationships, and that's what your doing , your investing time and money. But if you find a good shop chances are they know how old their stuff is if it's not dated, they carefully watch their stock and don't over buy. I stay away from the big box stores like crazy with hoppy brews.

 

Bingo!

 

Beeradvocate, Mybeerbuzz and Beermenus. I need nothing else

 

Your answer is right here. There is more beer knowledge here than anywhere else on the planet.

 

Don't listen to him, he just wants more for himself.

 

The local forum here for sure. I've spent WAY TOO MUCH on beer over the last year or so. Great beers, but not cheaper beers!!!

 

Tom at my local bottle shop keeps me and the other regulars up to date on new releases, new breweries, the latest unknown great beers etc. He spends a lot of time in the beer scene and distributes the knowledge well.

 

The QC scene is a very good one. I would drive around to the local shops and start asking about bottle share groups, as I know they are active in that area. Get to know the locals, and they will guide you to the good places, and even let you know when certain releases hit your distribution area. You are also within striking distance of some really good breweries. Plan some day trips to those locations.

 

a lot of good rec's here
i stay on email lists of my favorite local breweries for new and seasonal releases, and keep an eye out for new brewery openings in the denver boulder ft collins area....even that is overwhelming as we are opening new ones monthly
there is always good info on here about new releases and then you can go to the brewery website or talk to your local bottle shop to see if you will get distribution
so many good beers, so little time....a high class problem i say!