The Reverse Beer Haul... has anyone else done this?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by MilwaukeeCrusher, Mar 15, 2013.

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  1. MilwaukeeCrusher

    MilwaukeeCrusher Pundit (956) Oct 26, 2010 Wisconsin
    Deactivated

    Last year I took a chance and quit my job. My intention was to try and find something in Colorado (found something in Nebraska). I packed my vehicle full of stuff that I would need... and 10 cases of beer composed of random six packs people seemed to want or others I thought were under-appreciated. I posted on here I was coming. No responses. When I arrived and was in the Denver area, I had about 20 responses (I've found more enthusiasm here than anywhere else for craft). When I visited breweries, I would buy a flight and say I'm burning time waiting to meet up with others to trade beers. Often the servers ears would perk up or in the case of mentioning I had some New Glarus with me, it almost led people to drool. Either the server would want to trade, run in the back and get a beer geek that worked there (sometimes the head brewer or owner themselves), or just simply we would just change the topic to something else. I would come out necessarily looking for trades at an establishment, I'm not sure if the is totally the right way to do things but there are most casual ways in doing it.

    Please not I don't ever expect a trade, but if they want to do you probably made their day. And never expect more than what you got into it... honesty goes a long way in beer karma. If I go on a trip, I always bring at least a few cases. I'm currently pondering a trip to Alberta with a week I have free in July.
     
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  2. MilwaukeeCrusher

    MilwaukeeCrusher Pundit (956) Oct 26, 2010 Wisconsin
    Deactivated

    As for the strangers thing, I guess I've always been a sort of a social gypsy. If I hang around people too long, things start to get stale so I'm used to meeting people. What makes things even more interesting it the people you meet in other areas probably have some totally different experiences than yours... read up on the history of the area you're going to or what the area is famed for. It really fills in between the lines for a most effective trip when get the actual perspective of a group of locals instead of off a travel site or Wikipedia. Maybe also it promotes in some small way social unity, something that has to some degree been lost over the last... I don't know 50 to 100 years.

    Bring back the town squares in the centers of the cities... sorry off topic.
     
  3. Dope

    Dope Pooh-Bah (2,751) Oct 5, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Sounds like a lot of fun if I'm honest. Wish I had some free time to do stuff like that too! Maybe I'll bring some Jack's Abby to MI next time I'm out, I'll bet there's some folks at Founders or Dark Horse that would appreciate it...

    Dope
     
  4. DaveAnderson

    DaveAnderson Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2011 Minnesota

    This pretty much describes me when I travel. I bring beer (mostly Surly, since they put so much in cans) to trade and give away to BAs with unfulfilled wants.
     
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  5. duchessedubourg

    duchessedubourg Savant (1,157) Nov 2, 2007 Vermont

    I don't drink Heady Topper (not a big-hops fan) but I live so close the cannery that I enjoy picking up a case of 4-pks. on my way to wherever to give out in exchange for some local goodies - always $4$. I enjoy spreading the love around from my local brewery. [On that note, please no PM's about muling for you!!]
     
  6. j47paco

    j47paco Zealot (716) Dec 19, 2010 California
    Trader

    Before I read the last line of your post I thought to myself, "My God, this poor guys' inbox is gonna explode!" ; )
     
  7. PriorDoubleDark

    PriorDoubleDark Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 New Hampshire

    This is an excellent topic. I travel for work and have an advantage of living in an out-of-the-way state relative to where I work (So Cal and New Mexico lately). I have a favorite beer bar in Cal, and I just show up with a bottle of something not easily available to the locals. Just for the karma alone giving away the bottle is worth it. Sure I occasionally get a "gift" in return, but that's not the reason for giving. It just feels good, and beer people seem to understand that more than the normal bloke.
     
  8. chicano4craft

    chicano4craft Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2009 Colorado

    I actually met MilwaukeeCrusher while he was doing one of his reverse beer hauls. That was like 6 years ago and were still friends today. It's an awesome thing to do! I did the same thing when I went road tripping thru Wisconsin and Minnesota. Funny thing was I didn't get many responses on the threads I started. I ended up bringing MilwaukeeCrusher and one other BA a bunch of beer. But the cool thing was the other BA hosted a tasting for me and my wife. It's a great way to meet people with at least one similar interest. On the same trip I gave some liquor store worker a couple bottles of Pliny. That kid was stoked. He mentioned he had always wanted to try it and I had some in the cooler.
     
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  9. GuzzLah

    GuzzLah Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2013 Illinois

    Not a surprise. Buy and drink local is part of their religion. They are very generous homer beer raters too.
     
  10. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    Yep yep. It's fun. I surprised Simon at Cave a Bulles in Paris with about 20 beers (and some glasses); loved seeing that look on his face.
     
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  11. MilwaukeeCrusher

    MilwaukeeCrusher Pundit (956) Oct 26, 2010 Wisconsin
    Deactivated

    As Kennedy said, ask not what craft beer can do for you, but what you can do for craft beer???

    Not only have a partied and shared with "chicano4craft" but also many others in Colorado, California, Washington, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida.... well those are the most prominent ones.

    I remember visiting a lighthouse north of Bremmerton, WA and while looking out at the Puget Sound (and the lights of Seattle in the distance) I wondered if oceanic marine life made it in this far. On the front porch of the lighthouse was a man and woman... I figured they were the keepers of the lighthouse. This was not the case, as they told me they rented it for their 25th wedding anniversary. I don't know how it happened but somehow that he was a home brewer came up. He offered me a Bridgeport Red and I in turn when and grabbed some New Glarus from my vehicle. We sat and chatted in that old lighthouse for hours, looking at some of the old joke books etc there from the early 20th century and the place in general. I was conscious of his wife's feelings but she seemed to like it too. She was originally from Idaho and gave recommendations of crossing Washington that way. One Christmas ago and sent a couple mixed six packs out of the blue to them and they sent me back some home brew books. We keep in touch occasionally on line.

    Now if I can find the business card of the cool dude in San Diego that I had a impromptu beer tasting with to maybe send some goodies. He didn't mess around, opening a Westy 12 right out of the gate.
     
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  12. Smithrob9999

    Smithrob9999 Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2011 Texas

    I travel a lot for business and bring beer back for my local shop. I ask for nothing in return but they always hold stuff for me. I'm lucky to have a great group of BA's run a beer store. I love seeing their eyes light up when I bring a rare treat
     
  13. FishPondManager

    FishPondManager Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2012 Colorado

    OP is legit. One of the best BAs I've ever met. I've never seen a Chevy Cruz packed with so much beer. Glad to hear you're doing well.
     
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  14. Scalzo

    Scalzo Zealot (654) Feb 27, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    I bring Zombie Dust wherever I go, for whatever reason people go batshit crazy for the stuff
     
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  15. Ispeakforthetrees

    Ispeakforthetrees Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Colorado

    Be careful.
    "Free beer" is illegal in some states.
     
  16. DaveAnderson

    DaveAnderson Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2011 Minnesota

    I would have done the same the last time I was in Paris, if only I had thought to look it up on BA in advance. Simon was very friendly, and has a great store.
     
  17. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    If you ever go back, he likes the hops!
     
  18. Drtfinelli

    Drtfinelli Initiate (0) Jun 7, 2012 New Hampshire

    One of the greatest ideas EVER! Thanks :slight_smile:
     
  19. CruisaC

    CruisaC Initiate (0) Sep 3, 2010 Ohio

    Currently planning a box o' beer to bring with me to dump on my buddy Chris at Peabody's. always fun to spread the proverbial beer wealth!
     
  20. MilwaukeeCrusher

    MilwaukeeCrusher Pundit (956) Oct 26, 2010 Wisconsin
    Deactivated

    Thanks... I remember the name fishpondmanager but I'm having trouble placing it... I think I dealt with like 20 people in Colorado so a few of them run together.

    I still think the car every time gives me a weird look every time I go out to it now....
     
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