What's wrong with Whale Hunting?

It's expensive.

 

I'm not set on whale hunting specifically, but usually the whales end up being the best each state has to offer. For me I just have the mentality that I want to try as many different kinds of beer that I can mainly because sometimes the lesser known beers of today, could be the whales of tomorrow.

 

Nothing wrong with searching out things you'd really like to experience.

Plenty wrong with acting in a manner that prevents others from experiencing it too (like buying excessive amounts).

 

My two cents for what it is worth...

The top 250 has influenced me in a sense of knowing/wanting beers that I would love to try. There are beers that I've actively sought out and received through trades. Others I've gotten locally. As a beer enthusiast, it is nice to know what highly rated beer is out there for me to try.

For those who try to get these, good for you! I think it helps out the BA community as a whole when there is a highly sought after beer in one area that a lot of people want. It helps create trade. For those who take advantage of this, I personally do not mind, but I am probably in the minority in that regards.

 

I don't have a problem with it. I enjoy finding and trying the top rated beers myself. I do find that some of the really hyped up beers are really no better than some common or even local brews that you will never hear of or think to try.

And sometime I run across something that was really worth the effort.

 

Whale hunting only goes bad when the attitude follows that it is superior to other means of beer enjoyment.

Kinda like that one guy who's waaaaaay too into Zeppelin and is always dragging Zep into every last conversation about music. We get it, you're infatuated, I was too for a while. Some day you'll get over it and see the big picture.

 

Not trying to be a dick, but do you really think there is high potential to get bored with the readily available selection? Imagine if there was no resource like BA that clearly listed the beers that "should be" so highly coveted. Many more people would simply go about their drinking extremely satisfied without worrying about what they have to do to attain some special release that's only distributed in 2 states. On any given day I can drive to no less than than 10 stores--all within a 25 mile radius--and choose from dozens and dozens of excellent "shelf beers" and never be disapopinted. I'm not trying to demean those that feel the need to hunt, just trying to put things in perspective.

 

To me, this hobby is about enjoyment and appreciation. If hunting whales fills that need for you, then I don't have a problem with it. I enjoy the chase and community that comes with that. Having said that, I also hold value in supporting a brewery's year-round offerings too. Without that, there are no whales for anyone to have.

 

When the Beers of Fame was 100 strong I sought them out because I was a noob. Then again many of those beers were not difficult to get either.

The only real whale (for me anyway) that I sought out was CBS. I look at the Top 250 and the top New Beers now and there's a few I would trade for if the right $4$ deal came along but I'm at the point now that I'm pretty happy with what I have.

 

I tend feel the same way; most decent stores (especially if you frequent them) won't have a problem if you call and ask them to set something aside for you.

 

Call me Ishmael.

I am relatively new to whaling, but have the privilege of living in a region teeming with whale fauna. I can at this point in my adventures stick to what is offered in my local waters which is augmented by a robust distribution of exotic species from other seas.

Not sure if my finances will allow for true white whale hunting. But if yours do, go for it. Letting ratings guide your purchases? What's wrong with that? Trying to get all the top 100? Why not if that sort of personal benchmark means something to you.

I don't understand why people who live in urban US cities buy Ferraris. You can't legally use that car the way it was engineered to perform. But I am not a car guy, so I really have no basis for my criticism. So grab a harpoon and hit the water...

 

Nothing wrong with hunting whales. Just don't act like an asshole when doing it.

 

What really irks me are the folks who hunt/mule/snipe/hoard allocated beers and then boast about the amazing whalez they landed with said beers in a trade. If you're gonna do it, work your trading/hoarding hustle quietly. There's nothing worse than trying to honestly track down a good beer for your own personal consumption and then hear or read on social media (Facebook forums, Untappd, BA, etc) about some squirrel in your local beer community getting it and trading it away for something better.

All I'm suggesting is a little modesty.

^^^ YES - It's so annoying trying to have a genuine conversation about beer with someone and you can tell they're just itching to brag about the beers they've landed and not really listening to what you're saying. I guess to some, it's all about the chase.

 

Neither. The whale kills both.

Call me Ishmael.

 

I expect I will be content as long as the beer remains tasty, and is enjoyed in good company. I don't get bored so easily. I sat in a bar not too long ago next to two guys who had just been served BCBS on tap. They sipped from their glasses as they talked about how they wished they could try the Vanilla Rye, and how they might be able to make that happen. Nothing about the amazing beer they held in their hands. But then, how good can any beer be if you are always looking ahead to what you wish you could have next? I don't worry so much about lists or ratings. I'm always happy to try something new, but I'm glad to have that FBS there when I want it. Enjoy your "whale" hunting. But as I recall, it didn't turn out so well for Captain Ahab.

 

I understand completely, but from my own experience, more often than not these days I'll leave a local store empty handed. Maybe I'm not the average BA, but I can't imagine ever thinking "man, there's nothing here I want, I'll just get a sixer of Two Hearted." I am genuinely concerned that one day soon my fridge and cellar will become emptier instead of fuller. Doesn't need to become full of whales, just good, new things.

 

If you enjoy spending alot of time and money to find a rare and hard to get beer, I see nothing wrong with that if that is the part of the hobby that you enjoy and brings excitement to you.

My only issue is people who go out of their way to hoard away a large stash and roadblock others from obtaining anything, just because they want a huge stash for ego/narcisistic issues (look at my enormous cellar with 20 bottle of this years Proprietors and CBS etc) or to profit off of reselling. I have issues with these types of whale hunters. Just to acquire 1-2 bottles of something exclusive and very rare, to sample or share with a few friends, no problem at all.

 

My opinion is well covered above, but put succinctly:

- Don't be a dick
- If you can't help it and have to be a dick, don't brag about being a dick

 

I don't think that just being in the top whatever list makes a beer a Wale. I think it has to be rare/very hard to get. I've tried some nasty beers that are considered Walez, just due to rarity. Now, if a beer is rare and highly rated, that makes it a member of a smaller pod.

If one wants to chase mythical creatures, go right ahead, just don't be a dick to other folks. IE; don't grab an unfair share of bottles, don't artificially jack up the values so you can "win" a trade, and don't rub peoples faces in what you have. I know trash-talking is considered a sport these days, but really, nobody likes Dick Sherman, don't be a Dick.

 

That was a pretty miserable day with a sunshine of taplist once we got in