Add a signature video to each growler with this new technology

A professional CBB original rendering of what we assume this technology will look like. Please don’t tell George Lucas.

Hopsy, the recently launched online marketplace for local craft beer, just announced a partnership with Thin Film Electronics, a leader in printed electronics and smart systems, to integrate their NFC technology into its growlers. The wireless NFC tags will enable microbreweries to engage with beer lovers and communicate directly with their customers.

“Craft beer is not just about beer, it’s also about authenticity and craftsmanship. The two most important people in craft beer are the beer makers and the beer lovers. Our customers truly care about where their beer comes from and who made it. And we, at Hopsy, create a direct connection between the two, bringing the freshest beer to the home, just as the brewer intended it,” said Sebastien Tron, Hopsy’s co-founder and CEO. “We decided to go one step further and bring the tasting experience into the living room. We believe Thinfilm’s technology gives our partner breweries a powerful tool to connect with their customers beyond the brewery.”

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Starting in June, growlers of San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewery and Oakland’s Ale Industries sold through Hopsy will feature an NFC OpenSense tag, allowing consumers to tap their smartphone to unlock an exclusive tasting video. Each tag is uniquely identifiable and can detect a growler’s “sealed” and “opened” states.

“Niche businesses and novel brands often find it very difficult to compete with larger, more established companies. They need solutions that differentiate their products and help them connect with customers,” said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. “Hopsy has developed a compelling service that’s resonating in the craft beer markets, and we’re excited about the role our technology can play in growing its business and the businesses of its clients.”

Integrating the NFC technology into its growlers is Hopsy’s first step toward a more connected beer experience.

“Our customers are eager for more brewery information and beer education. They want to keep track of what they drink and read as much as they can about their favorite beers and breweries,” Tron says. “We are working hard to make the experience rewarding and leverage innovative solutions to bring local breweries and local beer lovers together.”

Launched in January 2016, Hopsy is currently serving the Bay Area, with plans to quickly expand in all major craft beer markets.