With the world's rich tradition of brewing, beer-related items, known as breweriana, is a thriving category of collectibles. From Wisconsin to Australia, Ireland to China, breweries produce their own memorabilia that's part of the trade such as beer mats, as well as advertising such as classic pub mirrors. Most collectors focus on a certain area of the world, and often right home in on a particular brewery when collecting.

If you're just thinking about starting a collection of breweriana, it's easier than you might think. Many collectors start simply by taking home the various free items at their pub or any bar they visit while traveling. Matchbooks and beer mats are a great way to start and often have a good memory tied to them. When you get serious about collecting, it's a good idea to do some research first.

There are several good books now about breweriana, and online collecting sites will give you a good sense of the current market. When you've got a good background, check out some of the bulletin boards and collecting groups online. There, you'll find thousands of breweriana fans like you with sometimes incredible items for sale.

Beer collectibles should remain a good market for the foreseeable future as beer drinking never goes out of style. Plus, the inevitable closing of certain breweries always has a silver lining for the owner of items that originated there. Look online and see what you find. Chances are, you'll be able to boost your collection easily and without breaking the bank.