Top beer list needs more info

I actually like the average retail price idea, but I feel including something on how hard to get would just lead to more problems with people trying to over value their beers because the waited in line.

 

If it makes you feel better, I got laughed at and criticized when I tried trading for Mornin' Delight not knowing the full extent of its rarity (I was new to the site). it was about that time I decided I needed to stop chasing beers, because people can be extremely rude. There's enough good beer out there that I don't find much point in trying to work with those people.

I don't think a rarity rating would go over well. More info on when it's available or if it's a brewery-only release may be helpful, but even items like that change so often in the beer world it would put extra burden on the folks approving changes to the beers on this site.

Average retail price would be nice for $4$ trades. Keep in mind the cost of living varies by region though, and if its imported or not could have a large influence. Cantillon's Fou Foune would be listed as a $20 beer in Belgium, but a $120 bottle in the USA (online retail price from what I've seen). A little price indicator such as the dollar signs on a Google search would be nice. At least then it's a little less specific, and would work across various regions and their price differences.

 

A rarity rating is a terrible idea. Some folks already over-value beer, and a rarity rating would only encourage that. plus, it would just increase the shitshows at release days; more mules, phantom chairs, and general bad behavior. And, who would decide how rare is rare? Is a 200 bottle release that takes a week to sell more or less rare than a 2,000 bottle release that sells out in one day?

Retail prices (+ sales taxes) vary so much that a price guide is isn't likely to be of much help.

 

Good luck in your beer hunting, but are you seeking this beer because you think it's taste will appeal to you, or are you hoping to value this beer as a commodity and make a profit when trading or selling this beer?

 

Good luck, if you choose to get bit chasing limited beers, get used to trolling breweries Facebook pages, websites, twitter feeds etc...Become a good and friendly customer at the nearest best craft beer store to you, keep your eyes on beer forums

 

I don't think we need any more information listed as that's a bit much for a beer rating site, especially if you look at it from a global perspective. Although all information is valuable, I'm not sure I need to know what the average price for a bottle of Victory Dirt Wolf is in Wien, Austria. (I will however note that I try to put the cost and purchase location in most of my reviews). And as suggested, this idea seems to go more towards seeking out hard to find beers, and possibly trading, and I'm totally against the whole rarity thing. You'll just have to do your homework.

 

Try looking at the breweries webpage next time, or their Facebook/twitter/instagram accounts. If you tweet or comment you might get a response if you can't find what you are looking for on the brewery's website. There are a lot of beers that I thought were easier to get when I first got into craft beer too, like Founders Breakfast Stout that only gets released in the fall, and some other beers that I didn't know were seasonal or once a year releases, or beers that don't even distribute to my area. No one knows everything right away. There is a lot to learn here in this community. Google can be a useful tool as well for things like average price, etc.

 

A brewery only option on the availability tab would be a decent idea. I just don't want it to turn into a shitshow by having a rarity rating system. It would just focus on all the problems with trading.

 

I was gonna type that before I read your post - a "rarity rating" would exacerbate something that's already a problem, i.e., the truck-chasing/line-standing/"gray market" mentality that exists in our little corner of the world. It's just beer.

For the OP, following this board and the various threads will provide a guide to the investment of time and money you'll need to make to secure beers. The harder you chase, the more time and money you'll have to spend, and some of the "Top 250" beers are nearly impossible to acquire without spending extreme amounts of cash - at least, the investment is "extreme" IMHO, and I spend a goodly amount of time and money on my beer hobby.

My suggestion would be, instead of chasing a beer or beers, find a good beverage store close to you. As you become a good customer and "network" at the store, you'll be surprised at the great beverages that find their way to you, especially if you reciprocate and share some of your acquisitions via trading with the employees.

Beer It Forward works. Always.