Tech Tuesdays: Digital Drinking

This is the first in my series of beer-app reviews. I have decided to start with the most popular and well known: Beer Cloud.

This app is both fun and educational- that’s right you might actually learn something from it. The beer styles function allows for perusing the various sun styles of ales and lagers (confession: I didn’t realize a bock was a lager until fooling around with this app), descriptions, and even recommended glassware. Yes my fellow 20somethings, it’s true not all beer should be served in a pint glass.

The sommelier function, which assists in food pairings, is heavier on the fun side than the useful side -HELLOO where is the pizza food group? But honestly, if I click chocolate cake I am recommended Baltic Porter, and click to see the recommended beers in this style literally every single American made Baltic Porter is listed. Narrowing the selection down to those actually available in the users area would be a big plus.

Another fun aspect is the built in GPS which tells you where to go to buy your desired beverage. The tasting notes from other users are also informative, and you can share your own notes and rec’s with others on Facebook, Twitter, or even google buzz! Bet you didn’t even KNOW that google buzz still existed.

Extra Fun: the scanner function which takes a picture of a the bar code and then gives you style and tasting notes for the particular beer.

Extra Bummer: The GPS function is only available in 11 States (USA only), and shockingly Oregon isn’t one of them.