Taco Mac

Those of you who know me likely know that Taco Mac is Mecca for me.  It is the end all-be all of dining establishments.  “But Mike, this is supposed to be a BEER blog – not about fine dining!”  You’re right – and the beer is what I love the most.  Don’t get me wrong, the food is stellar.  But I’m not discussing that today.

Today’s post is the first I will write in a series discussing customer loyalty programs.  Taco Mac has done it right.  Order a beer, get a point.  Order the same beer, enjoy that great beer but no more points for you.  The setup is very simple, but the rewards (both tangible and intangible) are so worth the investment.

Taco Mac refers to their program as the Brewniversity.  It’s obviously a fun take on matriculating at your favorite institution of higher learning.  In this case, the ‘institution’ is a great place to find a huge selection of beers, and the ‘higher learning’ comes in exploring different flavors to find your new favorites.

The Rules

Membership is free.  It costs nothing to join, and thanks to the handy mobile app and online tracking, you can always follow your studies and work toward your next level.

One point for one beer.  Again, if you keep ordering the same thing over and over again, you will not gain any additional points.  It’s only a unique purchase that gains additional points.  (For example, a six-pack of Bud Light gets you one point.  A Bud Light bottle and a Bud Light draft will earn you two points.)

No more than six beers in one day, for obvious reasons.  This is not a get drunk club.  This is a club designed to help you explore various beers and score some SWAG while you’re at it.  Speaking of …

The SWAG

Once you hit 13 beers, you’ll become a PLEDGE and receive your Taco Mac Brewniversity t-shirt.  Awesomeness ensues.  After that, there are 10 additional milestones with associated gifts:

• 75 total beers – $10 gift card
• * 125 beers – you graduate from PLEDGE to Bachelors degree.  You will receive the book Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher; your name will be placed on the Bachelors plaque at your favorite location; and you can now receive all draft beer pours in the 20 ounce mug for the same price as the standard 16 ounce.  (High gravity beers excluded.)
• 175 beers – $20 gift card
• 225 beers – Masters degree.  Brewniversity tailgate chair.  Your name moves to the Masters plaque.
• 275 beers – $30 gift card.
• 325 beers – Doctorate.  You have a Ph.D. B.K.  (PhD in Beer Knowledge.)  Brewniversity cooler and your name is now on the Doctorate plaque.
• 425 beers – $50 gift card
• 575 beers – Professor.  Engraved Brewniversity coasters.
• 750 beers – Dean.  Copy of The Oxford Companion to Beer by Garrett Oliver.
• 1000 beers – Chancellor.  The pinnacle of all things Taco Mac.  You’ve reached the ultimate goal.  You receive a special graduating class reward, you get a new Chancellor membership card loaded with $100; and your name moves to the Chancellors plaque located in the Fred Bar (one of the coolest places on earth – blogged about soon.)