The "Big" Beer Exchange.

[Keith]

Alright. I'm already excited about Decembeer and want us to "plan" our next big beer exchange, but in a different method, something a bit easier for everyone, and more accessible, possibly do this quarterly?

Here's what I'm thinking for this idea. Welcome to suggestions.

We brew, set a exchange date and show up with a bunch of Kegs and Growlers. Exchange our beer, leave with Growlers and our empty keg. I know we have a few beer guns in the club, could fill these properly and so they will last a few months and give us more variety. Narrow it to a style(s)? I think it would be great to do a "hoppy" beer for the first.

[Jimmy]

Can't say I'm really interested in the growler idea..it would mean only 10 beers for the exchange, since most people brew 5 gallon batches. Also, by doing that, we'd leave ourselves open to the last growler being half full...plus there are people who don't even keg.

Bottling sucks, but I think it's the best way to go about handling the exchange.

[GAM]

I think doing a bottle exchange quarterly is doable and if people want to exchange beer, in growlers, do it on the side.

Sandy

[naes100]

I think a quarterly exchange is a great idea!~ I'm in! Still depressed I didn't get in on the December one….

Bottle would be the way to go..

Alright. I'm already excited about Decembeer and want us to "plan" our next big beer exchange, but in a different method, something a bit easier for everyone, and more accessible, possibly do this quarterly?

Here's what I'm thinking for this idea. Welcome to suggestions.

We brew, set a exchange date and show up with a bunch of Kegs and Growlers. Exchange our beer, leave with Growlers and our empty keg. I know we have a few beer guns in the club, could fill these properly and so they will last a few months and give us more variety. Narrow it to a style(s)? I think it would be great to do a "hoppy" beer for the first.

[jtmwhyte]

I'd be up for doing beer swaps on a regular basis. As Sandy said, I believe that quarterly is a great way to go. That way more people who were not involved this time could get into the game. I'd gladly bottle and prime a 5 gallon batch 4 times a year to be able to swap and get to know different styles /brewer's.

[chalmers]

I think a quarterly exchange is a great idea!~ I'm in! Still depressed I didn't get in on the December one….

Bottle would be the way to go..

It is too bad, especially since we've had some have to drop out. The plan going forward might be to have an extra person in the wings, in case there's an unforseen problem.

???

[Jimmy]

I'm in for another exchange btw..didn't really say that in my first post.

[Keith]

We could also do a smaller exchange and just exchange 6 packs so it's a bit easier to organize, or just have a day where everyone shows up and we exchange for what we want?

I think we are onto the start of something great. Nothing beats variety.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

quarterly exchange is great idea, i think they could be any quantity of people from 5-30. above 30 gets dicey as you cant use 500/650ml bottles. just have them, maybe have a theme? (or not!) whoever wants in is in.

[HappyHopper]

I was thinking of doing names in one hat styles in another, draw for who gets what... Might bring more excitment and get people out of their normal brewing habbitz

[akr71]

How about a 'Reverse Lent' Beer exchange. The reverse part is not giving up anything, so really it is just the same as the Advent beer exchange, just we're counting down to Easter...

[GuingesRock]

If you are bottling, you may as well bottle a full batch which works out nicely to a month. I think a month in mid summer (July or August) to go with the December one might be good. Summer beers and winter beers.

[amartin]

I'd be up for another. Actually, because I brew on average twice a month, and bottle everything, I'm always available for an exchange.

If it was going to a regular thing, themes could be fun, like everybody brew something in category X, or brew something with a certain ingredient, or something like that. It could be a fun exercise, getting us to brew beers we might not otherwise, or maybe in different ways.

[Keith]

Exactly

[gm-]

I would be interested in another one for sure, maybe a spring/summer one.

[akr71]

I would certainly be up for once a season. Maybe mix it up every now and again - sometimes have a theme or a style or an ingredient, sometimes anything goes like the Advent Calendar.

Three years ago or so, BYO had an article about a 'breakfast cereal challenge.' I think that would be a lot of fun.

[amartin]

Ok, this is sounding fun. Another way to keep it interesting could be multiple smaller ones. Like, instead of having another huge full month one, do ones of like a week or two. Somebody could just call an exchange, set the parameters (if any), and then organize it for a set date. It would spread the responsibility around too, so it isn't always falling on the same people.

[gm-]

Any interest in sour exchange? Maybe once a year?

[bluenose]

ok my $0.02 (rounded to $0.00) is that this was our first exchange and it was over and done within a hour, which I think is pretty awesome... sure there were a couple of hiccups, but I'm sure we won't let that happen again. If everyone's beer was there at the same time, then it might've been over sooner.

The method of arranging sets of 10-15 beers in each room, in sequence, actually worked out well for me. I just made a list of all the numbers and scratched off each number as I picked it.

If everyone was to agree to 500 ml bottles, I don't see why we couldn't bring it up to 40 people. I'm sure there will be more interest as we do this again. However every three months might be pushing it (I'd still do it), but twice a year is definitely doable.

I also liked how everybody just brought whatever they felt like bringing. There's some styles in this exchange that I probably won't ever make myself, but this way I'll still get to try it. I think we'd lose that if we all made the same style, or even if we all used on ingredient, or one yeast... I say let everyone play jazz, and let's see what comes of it.

[GAM]

I'll be checking on a venue with lots of room and a brewer as owner. If he is good with it I'll book the space when we need it. It's will need to be out side of there store hours though.

Sandy

[amartin]

I think the idea of themes or specific ingredients could push us as brewers to make beers we might not otherwise, kind of like Garrison picking a style for us every year. Schwarzbier was never on my radar before year three's contest. Trying to use a special ingredient could force us to think about how flavours work together, rather that just relying on existing styles to tell us what works.

You know what? Consider yourself challenged. I'm calling an exchange in the next day or two, probably somewhat limited in size (2, 3 weeks maybe) with some sort of theme.

[know1]

My office is on quinpool with lots of parking and a good sized conference room/lobby. Would be no problem to use it on a weekend for an exchange.

[GAM]

Jeramy, that sounds like a good Idea too.

Sandy

[jtmwhyte]

I'd be up for another exchange with a specific style