Just enjoyed using my AHA Pub Discount at the Portsmouth Brewery this past weekend. Their Oatmeal Stout is amazing!
Unfortunately, it’s the only place in NH that accepts the discount. Would like to see more!!!
Steve,
If you’ve got suggestions for new places, the AHA staff is always looking to add!
Send an email to Kathryn (kathryn@brewersassociation.org) with your ideas
So, if I email kathryn - she’ll bug my local brewpub to give me a discount?
-OCD
I really like the AHA discount as well. In my experience, there are still a lot of breweries that have never heard of the AHA Pub Discount. I’ve showed them my card and they have never seen or heard of AHA? I think it might be because I’m in the Midwest? I usually explain what the AHA card is and they usually provide a pint or sampler for free, which is very nice.
Hopefully, the concept will catch on more and people will recognize the cards when presented.
To some extent…but she’ll also help you bug your local brewpub, too!
So building on that - if a brewpub went out of business but is still listed should I email her? To keep the list accurate.
-OCD
I would
Fred
I used my card at The Iron Hill Brewery in Wilmington, De a few weeks ago. Gotta love it… ;D
Yep, I’m sure she’d like to know.
We have a local BJ’s Brewhouse. Finally got them to accept it. They are now on the list. We also have a Gordon Biersch in New Orleans that I have more than paid for my membership in discounts.
Even here in Illinois where alcohol can’t be discounted, the program is great. It’s even better when I travel to places that can discount pints and even allow happy hour.
I’m not sure whether discount participants need to be BA members or if any pub/brewery can sign up for the program. I’d guess some pubs don’t join the BA since they don’t perceive a value in membership so may not have heard of the discount program. Others may be BA members but choose to not participate in the discount program. I have also seen companies with multiple pubs (such as Gordon Biersch, BJ’s, Ram, or Rock Bottom) open a new place that takes a while before it shows up on the discount list. I’m not sure if the discount is available from opening or if they have to individually choose to participate.
I guess the one thing to keep in mind when attempting to use the discount is to be polite. Not all staff - or even the on duty manager - may know they are participating in the program. Having a printout probably helps but it’s always best policy to graciously accept their decision and then bring the issue up with Kathryn, the pub brewer and/or the pub GM. Some pubs have dropped out of the program because people came in trying to abuse the system; either trying to get the whole party discounted or demanding something other than the discount that pub offers.
Man, I would love if there were some participating pubs/breweries near me. Closest one is about an hour away, so, a bit hard to get to.
Course, I also just wish there were more brewpubs period near me! >:(
I’ve only got one. Highly doubtful they would participate, suppose it doesn’t hurt to try.
Good to know someone’s getting some success out of it. I’ll admit to having given up after a number of misinformed/uniformed pub/restaurant staff. I now figure legislative activism, a AHA GABF session and occasional free rally are worth the $38.
and don’t forget the magazine
That to me is what it is all about. The rallies are real nice too, though. 