Beer traders in the crowd?

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Anyone trade beer? There are healthy beer trader communites on the "big guys" sites - Rate Beer and Beer Advocate - I've been a part of for some time, but anyone else here ever participate? My downfall is that I have relatively limited access to truly great craft beer brands here in So. Illinois, for the most part. My ability to offer "in-kind" beers is somewhat restricted.

If anyone digs Goose Island, Schlafly, Boulevard or O'Fallon beers, though, drop me a note!

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

I was thinking that we should start something like this up here. GREAT minds, amigo! ;)

I have acess to a plethora of Colorado brew, and through work can get incredible FedEx rate discounts... so I am more then open to this idea. I'd love to taste some Goose Island and Schlafly.

So... what you want?!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Sweet! We'll definitely do this ...

How easily can you get your hands on La Folie and what's it worht to ya ...? ;)

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

I CAN get La Folie. I'll wrangle up one (or more, how many do you want?) ASAP since it's in limited distribution. I'll get back to ya!

While I'm on the subject (HA! Like I'm not ALWAYS on the subject of beer!) - Fran and I are going out with the guys from the Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado tonight to do some beer tasting, so I'll check around to see what some of the local breweries have available as well.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Excellent. Thank you! I'm confident I can make it worth your while ...

I can get a lot of the Avery brews in Paducah (KY) or Granite City (MO) here, so I'm not so much focused on these (unless there's something rare or in limited distribution), but La Folie is one I've long sought after ... 1-3 would be ideal, if available.

Let me know what some Schlafly or Goose Island brews you'd like to try and we'll go from there ... ...

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

New Belgium La Folie... four 750s in hand. Well, in Nay's hand. I knew she could get it at the beer outlet near her house fo sho' and - BLAM!

Soooooooooooooo... here's what looks tasty to me from Goose Island: 312 Urban Wheat, Oatmeal Stout, the IPA (for my honey), and the two from Belgium - Matilda and Pere Jaqcues. Now, if I'm reading their website right the Matilda is only available in mid-August, and the Pere is available in mid-January. Probably can't find any of those around.

From Schlafly... the Hefe, Oatmeal Stout, Dry-Hopped APA, and on March 9 they release their Nitro Stout (according to teh website). Doubt you can find any of their Belgian Tripel, but if you can... ;) There's a bunch of other stuff I'd love to try that looks summer seasonally, like their Summer Kolsch, Raspberry Hefe (yes, I like fruity beers), Maibock, Dortmunder, Weissbier, Witbier... well, you get the picture!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Eli,

Sweet. Let's share the details on a private message ... I think I can hook you up rather nicely! Check your Aleuminati inbox!

[JD]

Now here's a great idea! Eli, have you heard of Oskar Blues? I have had the chance a few times, each of those times were GREAT! Don't know any other Co brews, possibly you could clue me in....

I guess my side of the country will allow me to mention Sweetwater, and Terrapin. If anyone out there is interested hit me up. Could we work something out?

jd

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

Heard of it? I've been there! Spent my 39th birthday getting absolutely slobbernockered in the place (I think I have a few pics from the event posted here somewhere). They had a smokin' blues band (Johnny O) playing - my fave type of music. With that, some good beer and my best friends there... well, it was just like a commercial! ;)

Don't know any other CO breweries? Well then... pull up a chair my friend. Actually, pull up a web browser and head over to the Colorado Beer Mapping Project. It's as comprehenisve a list as you're gonna find of the 100+ breweries we have here the #1 beer producing state in the whole of the USA! ;)

Easy to get since it's big time popular here. What do you want, and how much do you want me to get?

Sweetwater and Terrapin... lemme look those up, see what types we're talking, and I'll hit ya back.

[Deuane]

Oskar Blues stuff is available in NC...I assume you live in GA...so not far.

As far as Sweetwater...stuff is pretty solid...Happy Ending and IPA are the best of the bunch IMHO.

Terrepin....solid too. Wake and Bake (limited this year due to the brewery switch) and their other seasonals are really good.

Not far, in western NC (Asheville) is Pisgah....IMHO the BEST craft brewery in the south. Those boys up in Black Mountain are off the heezey!

[JD]

Actually I live in Knoxville TN, we just recently got the GA brews up in town. Nashville and Mboro are about the only places around to get the goods. Pisgah eh,? Ill have to look that one up. I will be coming thru in a couple weeks where in NC do I have to go?

[Deuane]

JD asked...where in NC do I have to go?

Asheville my man....beer capital of the south! If you can make it Pisgah has an open house every Thursay from 4 - 7 PM with fun, music and of course beer...purchase by the pint on tap and or purchase growlers.

If that does not work for you you can hit up Bruisin Ales' (best beer store in town and rated #2 in the country over at Rate Beer) or GreenLife Grocery (located about 1/4 mile north on the same street that Bruisin is on) Both places sell not only Pisgah Growlers but also growlers from other locals....French Broad, Cawtaba Valley and maybe Asheville Pizza and Brewing.

If you go to Bruisin tell Jason and Julie (and or Chris) that Deuane said HI! It wont get you a discount....but will make you more "in"!

[Deuane]

Too much trading for me over at BA to trade even more but.....if something special comes up well! I am a sucker for a good trade! Trading becomes oh so addictive! I'll be checking this thread out often.