Victory Brewing Company recently invited a few gadget-loving beer-drinking friends to the brewpub to beta-test their Victory Brewing Mobile App, soon to be released for both iPhone and Droid. Fortified by pints and pizza, we techno-geeks browsed through the app and took copious notes that will be used by developers to put the finishing touches in place.
“We hope to release the app in February, for our 16th anniversary,” Communications Manager Karen Noonan told me. “We just want to get the final kinks out.”
Craft beer technophiles will want to have this app, and not just for the the famous “V” Victory logo. The app provides Victory beer lovers with interesting information and stats about their favorite beers. The app is broken into four sections: a beerfinder, a directory of Victory beers, a directory of events and an about page.
Using the current GPS location, the “Victory Beerfinder” allows you to search for bars, restaurants and stores that carry your favorite Victory beer. The beerfinder system is based on information provided by wholesalers showing where Victory beers have been delivered in the past 60 days. A disclaimer notes the beerfinder may not be 100% accurate but the list of results includes the name of the store, restaurant or bar, the address and the phone number so you can call and confirm the availability. From the list, the app user can click through to a map.
The “Our Beers” section provides a handy list of all Victory brews broken down by categories: year-round beers, seasonal beers, big bottles and specialty releases. Users can click through to see a full description of each beer including style, ABV, flavor notes, and food pairings. It basically provides a digital version of the beer menu that can be used anywhere.
The “Events” section is a reminder of how Victory Brewing has grown. For us in Chester County, we think about the Brewpub, but this listing includes events being held all along the East Coast, from Florida to Massachusetts. The app user is able to narrow down the events by region or just search for events at the Brewpub in Downingtown.
The “About” tab provides a link to Victory’s Facebook, Twitter, and website. The app user can also read about the history of Victory Brewing and the address of their brewpub and hours.
At our table, everyone was glued to their phones, scrolling through the app and trying various features. Ronna Gross Dewey (president of West Chester Beer Ladies) commented, “I like the fact that I can find beers wherever I go. I like that with one click I can find events at the brewpub.”
“I like to travel. If I’m traveling and want to introduce someone to Victory, I can,” Andrea Hyslop said. “While sitting at the bar, you can review the beer list.”
The Victory Brewing Mobile App will be coming to a phone near you soon. Check back for release dates!
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