A new app is helping promote the area’s craft beer scene.
The Craft Beer Passport allows users to get discounted suds at local craft breweries as well as help locate where the area’s small beer makers can be found.
Guelph beer makers on the app are Fixed Gear, Royal City, Wellington and Brother’s Brewing.
Seven other craft brewers in Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge are also on Craft Beer Passport, which also operates in other areas of the province: In Cambridge, Four Father’s Brewing, Jackass Brewing, Rhythm & Brews Brewing, Wave Maker Brewing; In Kitchener, Counterpoint Brewing, Short Finger Brewing and TWB Co-operative Brewing.
“Friday marks the first time we will have participating locations in Guelph. Our hope is that both locals and visitors to the city will use the app to discover Guelph's awesome brewery scene,” said app founder Mike Stulberg.
After downloading the app, users purchase virtual “stamps” at a cost of around $1 each. They allow you to visit craft brewers on the app and get a 12oz glass of their beer for $2.
There are restrictions: You can only get one per visit at the discounted price and the stamps purchased on the app are only good for three or six months, depending on the amount purchased.
You are also restricted from using it at the same location too often, with a restriction of one to three months depending on the brewer.
The app makers keep the money raised through selling the “stamps“ and the brewer keeps the $2 for the beer.
“The app launched in Toronto in June 2017. We launched in Hamilton in November 2017. We launched in Ottawa in July 2018,” Stulberg said.
Stulberg said a lot of people download the app as a means of discovering new craft beer brewers without purchasing the stamps.
It’s also free for bars and brewers to participate.
“More importantly, they benefit from a whole bunch of new customers through the door.”
