I would love to try some and was wondering if $4$ locals is a reasonable offer. Thanks for the advice!
Perhaps for top quality locals. We get this request frequently, if you have locals as highly rated as Heady Topper, these offers would be welcome. Offer things other than IPA's, between Heady Topper, Lawson's and Hill Farmstead, traders from VT already get some of the best IPA's made. I am just speaking for myself, but many of my friend feel the same way about this. Tempt me with something local that you think will blow me away.
Plain and simple, it depends on who you are trading with. Someone that lives near the cannery most likely will do it $4$ with solid locals from OR, but if the person you are trading with lives in NH or something and had to drive a couple hours to go get it, it's gonna be more valuable to him. Not more valuable to the trading community, but usually more valuable to that person because it was more of a bitch to get. The Vermonters I know are all pretty close to Waterbury and wouldn't think of asking for something outrageous for Topper. They look at Topper the same as any other beer that they can drive 10 minutes and buy. The trick is to find the right Vermonter. That being said, finding the right Vermonter is tough.... There ain't many up there.
I've gotten HT twice from NY residents without giving up more than NC locals. OR locals should easily get it done, with the right trader.
I've let Heady Topper go for Pliny several times. I've also thrown some out for a good local growler (Town Hall Masala Mama) and things of that nature. With your access to delicious West coast stuff, you shouldn't have a hard time pulling down some Topper. I'd say offer up some Hair of the Dog or Russian River or even some seasonal Deschutes and something should come through. Long story short, I'd trade Heady $4$ locals.
Heady Topper is a year round brew. High quality locals should get it done. I've traded Zombie Dust 6 packs for Heady Topper 4 packs without a problem. IMO, that's about as even as it gets.
