Does it make sense to trade a single beer or two across the country? I've only done one non IP trade and shipped a box full of stuff. Just wondering cost wise, if anyone does this or its too expensive?
Ive done it a couple times. Usually it makes sense to expand out to a few more bottles if you can just to make sure you maximize the costs associated with shipping. Id much rather ship a few bottles than I would just a single bottle.
It is definitely not cost effective, but I have done it. Easy to pack and send. And if it is something you really want go for it.
It's not cost effective, but you certainly won't get ignored if you try to do it. But I can't imagine there's not a $10-$12 six pack of good local stuff that you guys could swap. It would increase shipping costs only marginally, and you'd be able to try some new beers.
Same with my most recent trade I am in, we started with 2 bottles and expanded out to filling a 12 bottle shipper.
I think it really depends on the type of trade / trading you're doing. If you're just getting your feet wet, trading some locals, getting to know people and the overall landscape, haven't tried all that many beers; then yeah, expand and get more beers for your shipping dollars. On the other hand, after a few years of trading and a couple thousand beers ticked, my trading is pretty focused and I find myself increasingly unenthusiastic about expanding most trades. Most of the time it leads down a long path of the other guy offering up stuff that I'm not interested in and ultimately we just do the original small trade. (Also, keep in mind, if you're making another trip to the store to buy more beer to fill out a larger box and paying more shipping, are you really "saving money"? And, think carefully about whether you'll actually drink as much beer as you're trading. It's easy to do these big trades to frequently and end up with stuff piling up.)
