Friday Fun: Virtual game for crowd sourcing beer ideas

Regular readers of Craft Brewing Business will know that a surefire way to get a shoutout, especially on a Friday, is to somehow involve video games or Star Trek or Clutch or some other thing that we editor-nerd-types enjoy along with our craft beer. That brings us to this Chicago startup that says its developing a first-of-its-kind online game to give craft beer fans the opportunity to design their own virtual brew — with the chance to see it brewed for real.

Craft beer website Brewed in Chicago is behind the online game concept called “Craft Your Beer,” and is aiming to raise $15,000 through an Indiegogo campaign to support its growth.

Craft Your Beer Online: Get it Brewed in Chicago from Brian on Vimeo.

The game will give players the chance to get creative by developing their very own virtual brew. They’ll be able to choose from a mix of common ingredients and unusual flavors, as well as give it a unique name and label design.

The public will be able to vote for their favorite beer ideas online and taste some of the most popular brews at Empirical Brewery’s tap room, with plans to brew and distribute the overall winning beer ideas on a seasonal basis.

“As a homebrewer, the idea of creating unique beer styles has been rewarding, but it also means cleaning the equipment — and thankfully, you’ll never have to clean your computer after making virtual beer,” said the founder of Brewed in Chicago, Brian Busche.

“Craft Your Beer is exciting news for the craft beer industry. Fans get to take their passion to the next level by producing beer and competing against each other, breweries will be able to avoid the uncertainty of experimental beer by following what’s popular in the game and consumers will benefit from new beer ideas that make it into the marketplace.”

Brewed in Chicago is a startup working out of the 1871 tech incubator. Its website offers a comprehensive list of breweries, beers, bars, and events throughout the local Chicagoland market.