Seven Beers To Look For in a Bottle Trade

With the rise of regional craft beers has also come exclusivity. We all know that the smaller the batch, the better the beers tend to be and since those beers are only going to travel so far to market, especially in the ever-growing Midwest market, they’re extra difficult to chase down. So we figured it’d be a good idea to keep an eye out for certain styles and labels you won’t find in your neck of the woods, making your next bottle trade or share event even more bombastic.

Most of today’s top-rated beers, in greatest demand for enthusiasts these days, are predominantly big bourbon barrel-aged beers, though you’ll also find India Pale Ales, seasonals, or once-a-year batches that have been known to make even grown men cry upon the cracking of one of these special bottles.

Founders Brewing, CBS (Grand Rapids, MI) – Chances are you’ve already heard about their KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), a strong stout laced with coffee, chocolate, and vanilla overtones, aged in oak bourbon barrels for 12 months. The Canadian Breakfast Stout ups the ante as it’s aged in bourbon barrels that also once contained maple syrup. Last brewed in 2011 as part of their rare “Backstage Series,” it’s a tough one to pry from the fingers of hoarders, though rumor has it they may be making it again. 10.6% ABV – 70 IBU                  

The Bruery, Black Tuesday (Placentia, CA) – A celebrated behemoth of gargantuan proportions, this Imperial Stout is aged in bourbon barrels for over 12 months and imparts flavors of vanilla, burnt caramel, oak, prunes, and anise. If you live in California, you can lock down a bottle each year if you join their Preservation Society. Released once a year in October. 18 to 19% ABV

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, St. Bretta Summer(Denver, CO) – By far the lightest beer on this list, Crooked Stave’s “whitebeer” boasts 100% brettanomyces yeast and an accompanying citrus fruit that changes each spring and summer. Last year’s batch featured blood oranges. These guys are truly artisan brewers and most anything they make is gonna be tough to find, though worth the search. 5.5% ABV

Three Floyds Brewing, Dark Lord Imperial Stout (Munster, IN) – The pride of the Midwest, Three Floyds has been cranking out some of the most cherished styles in the country. This Russian Imperial Stout is so popular, they have a whole day devoted to its release in April–the only time it’s released each year. Brewed with coffee, vanilla, and sugar or molasses, it’s likely going to rule your world, if you can obtain it. 15% ABV

de Garde Brewing, Berliner Weissebier Series (Tillamook, OR) – It’s difficult to get your hands on anything from this small-batch brewery who specialize in spontaneously fermented sours on the north coast of Oregon. Just a few weeks back, they released 5 varieties of their Bu Berliner Weissebier series including Boysenberry, Peach, Raspberry, Blackberry, and Cherry. While you can guarantee access to their phenomenal crafts via their limited Keepers Membership, signups only happen twice a year, can only be completed in person, and sales are only out of their brewery. 4.2 to 5.5% ABV

Russian River Brewing, Temptation (Santa Rosa, CA) – While Russian River may be known for its celebrated Pliny offerings, there’s also high demand for their series of barrel-aged sours. Chief among them and one of the toughest to procure would have to be their Chardonnay barrel-aged sour blonde ale. It’s aged 9 to 15 months and chock full of brettanomyces yeast, as well as lactobacillus and pediococcus cultures. If you love sours, you can’t go wrong with this one. 7.5% ABV

Westbrook Brewing, Mexican Cake (Mount Pleasant, SC) – Only released twice to celebrate their anniversary, Westbrook has created an elusive monster that most every collector craves. An Imperial Stout aged on cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and fresh habanero peppers, it’s tough to come by considering its limited release and the propensity for hoarding. 10.5 ABV