I mentioned beer trading in my previous post about Odd Side Ales' Hipster Brunch. It's not something I do frequently, however, usually when I do it's so I can experience something I couldn't normally get with my access to what's distributed to the NY/NJ area.
Beer trading is a kind of complicated process. I choose to limit my trading to a website called Beer Advocate, on which I am a regular user and poster, and a every-once-in-a-while trader.
The process begins by either creating a post or viewing already created posts. All posts are in the same format, using two acronyms: ISO (in search of) is what you are looking for and FT (for trade) what you're willing to give up. Once you've found a post you like, you send that person a private message on the website and work out the details (dollar for dollar value, shipping, etc.) Beer advocate has a nice system that is kind of like a virtual handshake in that you have to press an additional button, after working out the details in private messages, to create a trade. This is important for after the trade, because you then leave feedback on the entire process so that you can show a completed trade on your profile. These completed trades are ranked either good, okay, or bad. The feedback generally served to encourage other BA's (beer advocate users) to either trade with you or to stay away from some of the shadier traders (those that delay shipping, don't respond to messages for weeks, etc). There's also a forum dedicated to bad traders.
Once the trade is set up, you need to gather all that you've promised plus a couple of extras. Extras can range from cheap local craft brews that you know the other guy (or girl) can't get, to something close to what you know they'd like. They don't have to be anything crazy expensive. Just a little extra thank you for helping you to get some beers you wouldn't have otherwise had. I have always shipped (or brought with me, for in person trades) a couple of extras, and have almost always gotten some in return.
In this particular trade, I sent 8 cans and one 750 ML bottle. The package was about 12-13 lbs and cost about $13 to send to Connecticut.
Packing is particularly important, and bubble wrap is a must. Generally, the shipper is responsible for making sure the contents of the package arrive safely, and, if they don't, doing their best to make up for any damaged bottles (if possible).
Once you receive your package in return (after shipping yours), you leave the appropriate feedback and drink a celebratory beer.
If you are really into craft beer, trading is a great way to try new things and become better acquainted with the craft beer community. Be careful though, because with most sites, you're trading at your own risk (and I've seen trades of $350+ worth of beer! - myself not involved).
Beer trading is a kind of complicated process. I choose to limit my trading to a website called Beer Advocate, on which I am a regular user and poster, and a every-once-in-a-while trader.
The process begins by either creating a post or viewing already created posts. All posts are in the same format, using two acronyms: ISO (in search of) is what you are looking for and FT (for trade) what you're willing to give up. Once you've found a post you like, you send that person a private message on the website and work out the details (dollar for dollar value, shipping, etc.) Beer advocate has a nice system that is kind of like a virtual handshake in that you have to press an additional button, after working out the details in private messages, to create a trade. This is important for after the trade, because you then leave feedback on the entire process so that you can show a completed trade on your profile. These completed trades are ranked either good, okay, or bad. The feedback generally served to encourage other BA's (beer advocate users) to either trade with you or to stay away from some of the shadier traders (those that delay shipping, don't respond to messages for weeks, etc). There's also a forum dedicated to bad traders.
Once the trade is set up, you need to gather all that you've promised plus a couple of extras. Extras can range from cheap local craft brews that you know the other guy (or girl) can't get, to something close to what you know they'd like. They don't have to be anything crazy expensive. Just a little extra thank you for helping you to get some beers you wouldn't have otherwise had. I have always shipped (or brought with me, for in person trades) a couple of extras, and have almost always gotten some in return.
In this particular trade, I sent 8 cans and one 750 ML bottle. The package was about 12-13 lbs and cost about $13 to send to Connecticut.
Packing is particularly important, and bubble wrap is a must. Generally, the shipper is responsible for making sure the contents of the package arrive safely, and, if they don't, doing their best to make up for any damaged bottles (if possible).
Once you receive your package in return (after shipping yours), you leave the appropriate feedback and drink a celebratory beer.
If you are really into craft beer, trading is a great way to try new things and become better acquainted with the craft beer community. Be careful though, because with most sites, you're trading at your own risk (and I've seen trades of $350+ worth of beer! - myself not involved).
No comments:
Post a Comment