The Digital Age of Beer - Beer Apps!
Just the other day, I stopped in for a beer at Hurricane Maggie’s. With their newly expanded and constantly changing selection of 16 taps, odds are, I knew there was going to be one or two things I hadn’t tried yet. As I scanned the list, “The Crisp” by Sixpoint Brewery from Brooklyn, NY caught my eye. Naturally, I picked up my phone, opened my Untappd app and did a search for it to make sure that I hadn't had it before, and to check out the “specs.” Just like that, the idea hit me (or maybe it was the Stone Enjoy By 7/4/16 IPA that I drank right after): Beer Apps, you all need to know about beer apps!
Just in time for summer, here’s a list of some of the best beer apps out there to help you make the most of craft beer on the Grand Strand.
App: Untappd
What is it: Social beer list
Available: iOS, Android
Their tag line is “Drink Socially” and it’s one of the most active beer-centric apps out there. I’m not going to hide that it’s my absolute favorite and the one I use the most, for which there are quite a few reasons. I try A LOT of different beers and have a personal goal to stay open and appreciate all styles, and this app allows me to keep track of every. single. one.
With Untappd, you can get vital stats on each beer such as ABV, style, and any tasting notes that the brewery has to offer. You can then “check-in” to the beer, the venue, rate the beer, and comment. When you follow your friends, you can see what they are tasting and even share a toast (like). Overall, this app helps me hone my tasting abilities by keeping my beer list handy!
App: Beer Menus
What is it: Live Menus
Available: iOS, Android
One of the most useful beer-related apps on my phone is Beer Menus, and it does exactly what the name implies: it shows you Beer Menus, or to be more specific, those of participating bars in your immediate area. A lot of places along the Grand Strand have been using it to great effect, such as Island Bar, Bumstead’s, Mellow Mushroom, and even places with just growler stations like Pavilion Discount Beverage. Why is this useful when you can just look at the menu when you get to where you’re going? Well, for two reasons really.
If you’re like me, you want to have a good idea of what you’re going to order as soon as you walk in, so it’s fun to take a peek while your designated driver is chauffeuring you to your next destination. Additionally, if you end up seated in a place where you can’t see the tap list or chalk board, and there aren’t any paper menus currently available, you don’t have to get out of your seat or push your way through a crowded bar in an effort to memorize all of the offerings (not easy after you’ve had a few)!
App: Tap Hunter
What is it: Live Tap Lists
Available: iOS, Android
Tap Hunter is all about “helping to find delicious craft beer, wine, spirits and cocktails near you”, but it seems to be more heavily focused on getting you to a place that’s nearby and telling you what they have to offer. When you connect to Tap Hunter, you can see all nearby locations that use Tap Hunter to share what they have on available, well, on tap, and you can also pick and choose and create your own feed.
Bars can also list specials, events, and really, the bottom line is this: Any app that has The Piggly Wiggly at Market Common’s growler station list, is an app you want to have!
App: Beer Advocate
What is it: Information Central
Available: iOS, Android
Beer Advocate is one the originals when it comes to getting quality information about beer. As a beer nerd, I thrive on expanding my palate and truly appreciate each unique quality that every beer has to offer. Beer Advocate is the ultimate source if I want to know about this beer and that, and every style variation, production note, or history of any beer.
You do need to have an account with Beer Advocate to use the mobile app, but those are free, and can really come in handy when the mood strikes you write a long, detailed tasting note. Aside from the plethora of specific beer information, if you're after general news from the beer world, this is a great place to start and stay informed with articles about everything from who’s who in brewery land to upcoming beer releases. The point is to stay informed, and this is an excellent source of information.
This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 1:31 PM with the headline "The Digital Age of Beer - Beer Apps!."