I joined rather recently, more so for the cellaring forums, but was intrigued with trading. Interestingly, it is not what I expected. I feel like there are about twenty to thirty beers that everyone trades back and forth. Do people not just trade local beers? That would seem like the most obvious reason to do this, not the strange hoarding of "whales." I'm very surprised by the "what's this beer worth" and other various conversations about how to convert a bomber of one beer to a four pack of another. People scoff at threads like "hey what about backwoods bastard or expedition stout?" But I'm about to move to a place where I won't be able to get these beers and I'm kinda bummed that I'm just SOL. I was hoping trading would be a solution, am I wrong? TBH, I've tried some of the "whales" and although good, perhaps they are not worthy of this kind of focus. Not saying I've had a Darklord and it sucked (I've not had one at all), I just wondered how beer culture wandered into the land of exclusivity, faking beer, complicated trading algorithms, and bickering. This isn't wine my friends. Can't we all just share some California locals with a dude in Ohio and savor the chill atmosphere a nice $5 beer on a porch provides? I'm hoping I'm not the first to bring this up, but my search-fu is weak and couldn't find a thread yet. TL;DR: Beer snob should not equal fan boy. Let's celebrate the good beer that's not only offered once a year to a chosen few.
I really should have titled this "shelf beer trades" or used the word "distro" as that may be more of what I am getting at. Lots of jargon for a site about beer.
There are some local 4 local trades. But lots of people are posting "whale" trades usually when they come out and the ISO:ft forum gets filled with posts. Try to post local 4 local. I did a blind local 4 local trade with the agreement that it was 6 12oz bottles or cans and 4 bombers. Post and you can get a few offers.
The atmosphere you're looking for is definitely present in the Locals BIF. We're on round 4 right now, but you're more than welcome to jump in next round if you'd like.
I just set up an ISO:FT of shelf beer two days ago. Took about 10 minutes for it to get a trader. It happens quite often, you just need the right person to see it. Post an ISO, the worst that can happen is you get crickets.
Local trades are a great way to get started! If you need advice from a fellow Ohioan or want to do an IP trade/share let me know
Nice. Perhaps once the holidays wind down I'll explore the world of trading. I have not investigated BIF yet either. BeerMeBro720, will be in touch.
Love your attitude my man. At the same time I think you'll find trading locals for locals to be a hobby that is fairly time consuming and expensive, all to acquire beers that aren't much different than you can probably acquire without much effort.
I'm new as well, and I was thinking the exact same thing. I'm up for just want trying new beers, good or bad. I'm too new to trading and to the site to be able to get some of these trade worthy beers, and I was hoping to just get my feet wet a bit and trade some local brews to someone on one of the coasts for something they have that isn't offered here. I'm glad I found this thread. I will definitely check out the BIF forum.
Blind trades (set the dollar amount, and send all locals partner can't get, and without telling partner what you're sending) are some of the most fun trades I have done. If you post on ISO Locals for Locals I guarantee, since you are in Ohio, that you will get replies.
I have 3-4 guys I trade with and we do loose trades almost exclusively. The value of having great trade partners who are truly great guys and makes trading a lot of fun vs just being business.
Keep in mind that there are many online beer sites from different parts of the country that sell the equivalent of 'interesting locals.' You still need to do a little research and it costs a few bucks extra markup but online sales is an interesting occasional option.
I will second this. You have some greats in your neck of the woods - Fat Heads, Thirsty Dog, Jackie O's. You can get some great locals from other states for those. Usually $4$, too.
I have several regular trade partners in various parts of the country. My aim was not to set up a partnership to get me any "whales" but because of the distro in the area. For instance, my trade partner in WI has access to New Glarus, of course, but also has access to Alaskan, 3 Floyd's, Toppling Goliath, Central Waters, and a host of other locally available beers that I'd never see in AL. He just knows what styles I like and I know what styles he likes and that's how we select what to get. I just looked at seekabrew.com to find some states that get distro from a number of breweries that I'd like to try. Also be open to trading growlers...I've gotten some AMAZING beers that are never packaged in growler swaps.
