WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, WeatherTop Apps: Untappd Serves Social Networking to Craft Beer Niche

Top Apps: Untappd Serves Social Networking to Craft Beer Niche

Posted: Updated:
By Stacy Jacobson, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis County Reporter - bio | email

  • Top Apps: Untappd Serves Social Networking to Craft Beer Niche

  • Stacy first joined WBOY as an intern reporter in early 2010. She enjoyed her experience and meeting the people of North Central West Virginia so much that she decided to return as a full-time reporter.
MORGANTOWN -

To find out what your friends' hobbies or interests are, you're probably going to check Facebook and Twitter. But there are so many mobile apps that cater to niche interests that take all the searching and work away for you.

We checked out what one app, which catered to the craft beer community, had on tap.

It started innocently; two social network users explored the world of craft beer, between two coasts.

I reached Untappd co-creator Tim Mather via Skype in Los Angeles, California.

"We didn't really know where it was going to go," Mather said. "We didn't expect that growth we had."

But it grew to more than 100,000 members, he said.

For many who truly love craft beer, the interest has nothing to do with the parties. It's just like other serious foodie hobbies.

Tony Kline, assistant brewer at Morgantown Brewing Company, explained the craft beer passion.

"Every beer is an experience," he said. "To try something new, much like a wine drinker likes to try a new vintage of wine, the craft beer drinker likes to have that new fresh pint that they've never had before."

In Untappd, drinkers "check in" to whatever beer they're enjoying. They have many options, including seeing what other beers are similar to that type and sending it to another social network, like Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare, to discuss it there.

Untappd also keeps a log of all beers that have been checked in by the user.

"You can actually go back and say, 'Oh right. That's Morgantown Brewing Company's Zack Morgan IPA I really liked.' It helps you keep an idea of what beers you've tried and what beers you'd like to try," Kline said.

Users can also find out what everyone nearby, within a certain physical radius, is drinking. For craft beer drinkers seeking out rare styles and breweries, that information is invaluable.

"It gives the ease of saying, 'Wow! I can find this new beer at the local pub that's just down the street from me. I didn't know that,'" Kline said.

The Morgantown Brewing Company appreciate the camaraderie that a free mobile app brought. And to that, we say cheers.