start a beer club at work - and get them all to give you the empties!!!
Our "beer club" has grown from 12 people last xmas to 24 people the xmas just passed. Its like a cancer that keeps on growing.
We pick 12 beers. Most are Mountain Goat, Grand Ridge, type beers. We buy 4 cartons of each beer. (48 cartons). We then split the cases up so each person gets two cases of beer and 4 beers of each type. The last order was over $3K so you get to negotiate a decent discount - normally 15 - 20% on retail. Plus the beer is ordered in in bulk so it should be pretty fresh.
Great way to buy and try some of the boutique beers cheaply, (or relatively cheap), and also a great source of bottles.
The other option I've thought of on some occassiosn, (but never actually done) is to raid the bins at the Australian pub down the rocks. They do a great selection of aussie micro brews - so would have a pile of crown seal stubbies on a normal sat morning after the fri night session ?? Enjoy a pint of Sharers while your searching.......