Using BeerXchange
BeerXchange is a platform for finding, collecting, trading, and tracking beer. We use the
Untappd API for user authentication and beer data. Store your data in the cloud for easy reference on the go.
Table of Contents
Support BeerXchange
Donate to keep BeerXchange growing and ad free.Trading Beer
Collecting Beer
= how many of this beer you have collected.
= a beer is on your Wish List.
= you have had this beer before.
Yellow if today is < 1 week from Drink By Date
Red if today is after Drink By Date Drink By Date starts using Bottled Date if provided, defaults to Date Added to the collection otherwise, then checks Style: 90 days added for IPA or Pale of any kind (imperial or otherwise).
120 days added for Lagers.
2 years added for Sours (Lambics, Gueuzes, etc)
Any beer not matching those specific Style criteria given time based on ABV: 150 days for ABV < 8
1 year for ABV between 8 and 10
2 years for ABV > 10
How To Trade Beer
First and foremost, trade at your own risk. Reputation is everything in trading circles. Invite Friends
to start trading, extend your circle as you meet trustworthy people. BeerXchange tracks all trades and user ratings. Check a person's ratings and feedback before starting a trade.If you are new to trading start small by offering beers that are local to you that do not distribute widely. If you have access to whales you can easily trade for other highly sought after beers. Don't expect to land a whale on your first try.
Packing and Shipping
Packing materials are key. The goal is to keep the bottles from touching each other and make sure they are firmly in place. The box itself should be sturdy enough to withstand a drop or kick (it happens). Check out the supplies we recommend on kit.co
Suggested materials:
- Gallon freezer bags for 22oz or 750ml beers
- Quart freezer bags for smaller 12oz beers
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Flat-rate shipping box
- Bathroom scale
Trading Tips
Do Not Ship United States Postal Service (USPS)
It is currently illegal to ship beer through the USPS. Always use FedEx, UPS, or some other service for domestic shipping.
International Shipping is extra expensive and risky
International shipping is exorbitantly expensive. The least expensive is USPS, for which beer shipping is illegal as we said above. The risk of customs intercepting and detaining your package is also greatly increased.
Setup your Shipment Online
You can weigh, pack, and label your package at home using most carrier websites. This will give you a tracking code you can share with your trading partner before you drop it off. UPS and FedEx can also pickup especially heavy packages for an extra fee.
Use Plain Brown Boxes for Shipping
Do not use boxes with beer or liquor logos. This will gain unwanted attention at the shipping company.
Do Not Ship in Extreme Weather
Many online beer retailers stop shipments when weather gets bad/ temperatures drop during Winter. Breakage and leakage becomes much more likely with extreme temperature fluctuations and UPS/FedEx are not using temperature controlled trucks. Avoid making beer shipments when temperatures dip below freezing.
Trade Value
The most difficult part of any trade, negotiating what a beer is worth. Dollar for dollar ($4$) is most fair for beer available for purchase from a store or brewery. Exceptions are aged and rare beers, see below.
Fresh is Best
Most beer is best consumed fresh, especially hoppy beers. Anything older than 30 days should be communicated and agreed upon with your trading partner. Communication is key to any good trade.
Aged / Vintage Beer
Some beers are best with time added. Since time equals money, aged beers can command a higher value than their non-aged counterparts. If offering a vintage of a beer, make that clear to your trade partner.
Rare Beer = $$$
Out of production, limited production, limited distribution. Many factors can add value to a beer. Landing these are difficult without your own equally rare beer in exchange. Best to start local and work your way up.
Extra Extra!
Extra beers are sometimes added to a trade. This is done to balance out trades, fill out boxes, suprise and delight, many reasons. DO NOT assume extras will be added to a trade. If you intend to add extras and wish to receive same, mention it to your trade partner.