How do you keep up with the beer scene?

Well said. This and I follow favorite breweries on twitter.

 

Largely by watching threads on releases. I go through the south Atlantic forum (although I REALLY wish VA were in mid Atlantic or whatever, regardless of economic zones or whatever....just have FAR MORE in common with MD, PA, D, etc., than TN, GA, etc.,....but I digress) to see what's going to hit pretty soon or if there have been any sightings I should know about. I also watch on those forums for new breweries, craft bars, etc., to pop up.

SO very much true for me as well. I despise Facebook for many a reason (well, largely because I don't care that someone I vaguely know just enjoyed lunch. Yes, I can be a dick at times.....) but I did join onto a group in RVA that is a treasure trove of information on when and where something is going to be tapped, special releases and when products are starting to pop up around town.

Finally, as a last resort I will go on the Total Wine website to see if a product has been added, opened up to email alerts or actually in stock.

 

Yes. Find a place that you trust and feel good about. Beer is like literature: you can't read it all or drink it all! But dang, it sure is fun!

 

I log onto Beer Advocate and search WBAYDN

 

I find long lines in seedy locations and whisper PSSST! You gotta try this.

 

I generally follow breweries and bottle shops i like on social media. They'll generally announce new beers.

 

Randomly travel within a 50 mile area at the stores who advertise a big selection.....increase the area for a "vacation" or day trip. Email and investigate the online listings. You may be surprised at the lesser known breweries that offer some great options in a limited area of distribution. Who knows, you may be the first to review a new and fantastic beer. I first reviewed JAFB's Wooster New Stout and nest thing you know it is a silver medal winner at the Great American Beer Fest. Enjoy the styles you like and don't worry about what others view as what should be your taste preferences.
We are all students here in one way or another, yet all different.

Cheers

 

Figure out a beer you can get that's in demand. Trade it for other things.

 

There is one bottle shop - a good one - within fifty miles of my house and I spend an unreasonable amount of time in it. When I walk in the door, the owner says, 'Dude! Look what we just got in!' Sometimes, when I'm walking out the door, he'll say, 'Dude! Guess what we're getting in tomorrow!' If he doesn't know about it, it's because he doesn't have it and, if he doesn't have it, I can't get it so there isn't any point in me knowing about it, right? Sometimes he doesn't even bother to tell me if he knows it's something I won't like. Point being, I effectively keep him on the payroll to keep up with the beer scene for me which frees me up to do more actual drinking.