Site for beer hounds welcomes Kalamazoo brews

Are you a beer hound? Paul Starr certainly is, and the web developer and entrepreneur is banking on the fact that thousands of other Michigan residents feel as passionately about craft beer and good food as he does.

 

That’s why Starr, who operates imabeerhound.com, a Michigan craft beer news and review site, decided to create the Beer Hound Membership card.

 

Debuting in 2013, the card gives members discounts at numerous breweries, beer bars and restaurants across the state, including O’Duffy’s Pub in Kalamazoo and Arcadia Brewing Company in Battle Creek.

 

"The idea came together as a way to get customers through the doors at breweries and beer bars," Starr says.

 

Since everybody likes a little discount now and again, and since Starr is working diligently to make contacts around the state, the list of participating establishments is growing rapidly.

 

"The goal is to by September to be shooting for 100 plus places on the card," Starr says. "Right now Kalamazoo is pretty light with just O’Duffy’s, but I’m working on Kalamazoo."

 

The membership card costs $20 alone, or can be purchased with a T-shirt for $35. Memberships, and information on its benefits can be found on the company website. 

 

Besides offering beer fans a cheap way to celebrate, imabeerhound is also raising a glass to itself, as the company recently celebrated its second year in business.

 

"The site started out as a video beer review website. I kind of moved away from that," Starr says. "I see the future being a web company, a marketing company that breweries can go to, to help market events or get help building its website."

 

The membership card, which Starr plans to offer annually has already helped a great deal in raising the company’s profile.

 

"Since launching the card my site reached over 8,000 visits over the last thirty days," Starr says.

 

And a mobile app, for both iPhone and android is on the way as well.