Queuing up a Pint Pass Membership (continued)
So it’s kind of like a library card, but you get beer?
As a Pint Pass member, first of all, it’s only $25 for an entire year, you get discounts and awards for drinking craft beer. So, you got to Dave’s Sushi and buy two local Montana beers, you get a free appetizer; you got to 14 North and buy two local Montana beers, you get a free appetizer. On top of that, you can go to the brewery and present your Pint Pass membership, you get 50 cents off first pint and $1 off your growler. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a discount program, it’s just some of the rewards you get for being a member.
If you are new to Bozeman, the amount of breweries and craft beer sellers may not surprise you. Five years ago, however, the craft beer
The app is an up-and-running website that shows what is on tap in different breweries. What else does it offer on the website side of things?
The website and the app are really just to tell you what is on tap. It also tells you what specials all the brewery are going to be running; it’ll will push notify you if a brewery has something cool coming up; it’ll show you the closest brewery to your location; it’ll give ratings on all the beers. Essentially the app is a complimentary tool. [The Pint Pass app] was created to compliment the membership, so you can see what is on tap where, and you can get the beer you really want get at that point.
Do you just cover breweries around Montana or beyond?
It started in Montana (based out of Bozeman area). It started in the Bozeman area then we started going to Billings. Now, we are launching Pint Pass Portland in the next week and Pint Pass San Francisco to follow.
Why should people check out Pint Pass?
People should get a Pint Pass membership because of the benefits and rewards you get. You have the ability to save a bunch of money and drink what you love in beer, and it’s free, so downloading the app is a no-brainer. The membership, you pay 25 bucks you get a $15 gift certificate to Bar 3 BBQ right off the bat, you get a growler, and then you can immediately use your benefits. It’s a good way to be part of the culture.
From your perspective, how has the beer culture changed around here?
I’ve only been around Bozeman for five years, but just in those five years I’ve seen probably six or seven breweries go up, and it’s just insane. This craft beer movement has been what everybody wanted it to be. You got all these breweries that are producing very, very good beer and it’s all local. Five years ago you didn’t have your Bridger Brewing, you didn’t have your MAP Brewing, you didn’t have your White Dog Brewing, and all these other brewers are popping up all over the place. It’s really cool to see.
Do you have any future plans for Pint Pass? Something you might have in the works for expanding?
We are planning on going into 13 markets here. The two we are publicizing right now are Denver and Portland, but there are going to be 13 bigger markets that we are going to launch in, and (kind of) do the same thing we did in Bozeman. So really, [our plans] are just to bring Pint Pass to very brewery friendly cities, bring everybody together, and having a good time.