T.G.I. Friday’s Facebook Beer app draws cheers, controversy

Stella or Heineken? T.G.I. Friday’s new Facebook beer app is toasting to beer lovers and raising controversy, reports WUSA.

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(Source: T.G.I. Friday's)

The restaurant chain's social-media promo, "Buy Your Friend a Beer," rolls out today. By clicking the “Like” button on Facebook, users are able to buy beers, at $5 a pop, in the form of e-gift cards — and send them to friends.

Pure genius, but some disagree. “It’s horrifying," said Bruce Lee Livingston, executive director of Marin Institute, a watchdog group that tracks alcoholic beverage marketing. “This is part of a growing trend to use Facebook and other social media to promote alcohol sales to youth.”

There are 300 apps alone on iTunes that promote drinking and drinking games, Livingston adds.

But even though T.G.I. Friday’s admits it can’t make sure only users 21 and up purchase the beers, they will still be checking ID’s when recipients redeem their brews.

And if it turns out the person is under 21? Guess who keeps the money.

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