New to the game!

Spend a lot of time in the trading forum learning the ropes, etc. so that when you are eligible to start trading you'll have a sense of what, where, when, etc.

Enjoy the site.

 

Welcome to BA. As far as trading goes start with just trading for local shelf beers for other local shelf beers, maybe throw in something really good as an extra, as you start to get a feel for trading and establishing a good relationship with your local bottle shop it will start to be easier to land high end beers. Also look to hit local brewery bottle releases. Seeing that you are from Illinois, check out Pipeworks, should be pretty easy to trade.

 

the first question is "Why do you want to amass a collection?"

1) If you want a great cellar than start accumulating multiples of what you really like.
2. If your purpose is to obtain trade bait than you need to follow the trade forum and see what beers in your area are sought after. Illinois has several great breweries with limited distribution. You also may have access to 3Floyds and Surly which are tradeable.

 

No problem. It definitely takes time, but is worth the time and effort that you put into it. If you establish a regular trade partner they can be a great resource and send you local stuff that is kind of flying below the rader but is still really good.

 

find a beer guy (bottleshop etc...) you will be glad you do.

 

For what its worth, My advice is...If you are really "new" to craft beer, Don't worry about collecting and trading. Seeing that you are based in Illinois, you have years and years of great beers that are available to you that will satisfy that "I gotta try something new" BA itch. Focus on buying and drinking what YOU want and what you want to try. Once you feel that you've exhausted those options, then look to collect and trade. I'm not to far away from you here in Grand Rapids, MI and I've never traded a bottle and have had a great craft beer journey with plenty of new prospects always available to this very day.

 

Start with the classic examples of each beer style. Beers that have been around for a long time and that represent the style well. For example, no one can deny Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a classic and fantastic pale ale that represents the style perfectly. This will show you what a beer should taste like for each style respectively. Then, after you have gained an appreciation for each style individually, take a gander over to the top 250 beer section on BA. While mostly rare, these will elevate your appreciation for beer even more. In regards to aging and cellaring beer, take a trip over to that forum/ sub-section. A plethora of information can be found there. Welcome!

 

Get out before its too late...

 

already too late

 

Read Patrick Dawson's book on Vintage Beer. I amassed a huge collection and then ended up keeping some stuff way too long.

 

Welcome!. If you got some BCBS from your fine state, you're golden

 

Here are some beer recommendations for starting your cellar. The MISC list at the end refers to beers that change over time, but don't necessarily improve. They are great to have in the cellar in case you are in the mood.

English Barleywine (Peaks 8-12 years)
J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (regular version)

American Barleywine (Peaks fresh, or 2-5 years)
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Imperial Stout (Peaks 1-3 years)
Victory Storm King
Old Rasputin
Ten Fidy
Founders IRS

Abt/Quad (Peaks 3-5 years)
Rochefort 10

Orval
Changes dramatically, open one every month for 3 years!
I prefer it under one year.
Overly phenolic after 2.5-3 years.

Geuze (Peaks 10-20 years)
Lindemans Geuze Cuvee Rene
Hanssens Oude Geuze
Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait
Oude Beersel Oude Geuze

MISC
Orval (Up to 3 years)
Rodenbach Vintage (Up to 3 years)
Cuvee des Jacobins (???)
Liefmans' Goudenband (Up to 3 years)
Saison Dupont (Up to 2 years)
Duvel (???)
Westmalle Dubbel (Up to 3 years)
Westmalle Tripel (Up to 2 years)
Schneider's Aventinus (???)