Hey guys, I'm eager to finally try some HF hops and wanted to know fair ratios. I have a Cycle Nooner B7 ($20 and around 180 bottles if that matters to people). Wants: 2L of Abner + 750 of Edward *I don't have ANY need for the growlers and would be happy to ship them back* So, would asking for both ($18 + $7) for the Nooner be too much? I don't want to ship 1 bottle so I'd like to expand for Sip of Sunshine or Alchemist (or Trillium or many others), but wanted to get the base of an offer together. Shipping fresh: is it normal for HF traders to get fills and ship Wednesday to arrive in FL by Saturday? I could provide a label to help make this happen - but is it reasonable to ask? Thanks for your time!
I think that getting 2 growlers might be tough because there is a 3 per person limit, so you're effectively asking somebody to drive a pretty significant distance for 1 growler. I don't know much about Cycle but I don't think HF goes under $4$ too often. While it's "only" $5 it's also 20% of the total. I guess you could balance that out with some of the other items you mentioned. It also might be tough for somebody to get a fill on Wednesday and ship the same day. Given how middle of nowhere HF is, somebody would have to get home (or somewhere that they could pack) and drop the box off before the last pickup on Wed if you wanted them to ship that day. I would think dropping off on Thursday would get to you by Sat though.
Forgot to mention I'd use Pirate Bomb to even out and even go over $4$...kind of important info huh? Shipping: yeah I realize Thursday would be necessary to ship out, I just gotta figure out what 2-day to FL costs. As far as 2/3's of their allotment goes, can they go back through the line reasonably? Also, I wouldn't be asking for any bottles they could purchase too. Just thoughts.
The line can vary but going through twice is a pretty big commitment. I've only been there on a Wednesday once and it was during the summer so it was surely a bit more crowded, but I got there at around 11:30 and didn't get through the line until ~2.
I've gotten there when they opened and waited in line for 3 hours before I got to the register. It varies with holiday weekends, what's available, and maybe weather. There is an express bottle line which goes very quickly. Shipping back the growlers you don't need is probably a waste of time and money between you and your trading partner. You could hold on to them for future growler trades or possibly send out your end first with an empty growler since HF will fill most standard ones.
Yeah, I've heard the wait can be hours sometimes and really short others. I'm offering to ship the growlers back to help get the trade done - that way a HF regular wouldn't be out the cost of two growlers. In FL we can only fill 32 and 128 growlers and I don't plan on shipping any future growlers. So two HF "regulars" for $25 (with growlers shipped back just beer cost) is too much to ask for $30 (Nooner B7 + Pirate Bomb)?
No what I was saying about the growlers is that people likely have enough growlers already and don't need the extra ones. If you decide you want HF again you could send them back to someone going up there. Maybe that's just my perspective on it. You would basically spend the cost of those growlers to send them back. If I send something other than an HF 750ml growler to someone I tend to use a 64oz from a past trade that I have no use for.
I think shipping back the growlers just creates an extra expense. It is $10 for 2L and $3 for a 750. It might cost you that to ship it back. If you did 2 Nooner or Nooner plus another good bottle you may be able to swing it. Just as an FYI the HF growlers are (from my experience) good for at least 2 weeks. I agree with what @BearsOnAcid said ,most HF traders have copious growlers lying around from previous trades. Good luck OP.
To be clear: shipping doesn't cost me anything. So unless traders just don't value $13 in growlers, I'm shipping them back because I have no use for them. 2 Nooners?! I understand HF is out in the boonies but fills of regulars really demand this much? 2 Nooners could pretty much land DBH... Again, I'd be happy to send the Nooner and a Pirate Bomb and send growlers back for 2 fills. But I digress. I'll put something up and see what sticks soon. Thanks guys, this has been helpful.
By asking for a while 2l you're really limiting yourself. For.one shipping 2l growlers is a pita. Second, the danger of breakage is increased when shipping a 2L. Growler. That's a particular concern for those who trade HF stuff because most of us are a good drive away. If I have to go back to replace a growler that's a major inconvenience for me. Not to.mention I couldn't guarantee that any particular beer would be on tap by the time I got there. if you're willing to acept 750 growlers you're going to have an easier time finding a trade partner
Thanks for the input Vic. I thought I had heard that I might as well trade for 2L since you are limited to 3 fills anyways, but if safely shipping and handling of them is a concern, I can work with 750's. Guess I could always make two offers (1 with 2L and 1 with 750's only) and see what the trader is comfortable with. Of course, Vic, if you wanted a Cycle beer I'd be happy to trade with you again!
HF growlers are a product that can't be equated to other beers IMO. Even for folks who live in Vermont, it is a pain to get them, even if they live in Hardwick or Greensboro. There are no days with short lines for fills anymore, the lines are either long or very long. And the quality is on a level of its own as well. Folks who can get HF growlers sent will have to accept the fact that they rarely trade under $4$ for good reason, and adjust expectations accordingly.
Totally understood. I'm familiar with the quality (why I want) and the pain to get there and the lines. (and I understand my time driving and time in line for the Cycle's is irrelevant! ) I'm also going over $4$ with quality and "rarer" beer...not exactly offering Jai Alai here! I've traded with Vic before and I'm sure I can make him happy in the end. Thanks guys.
