Craft beer and travel go together like, well, craft beer and bratwurst or craft beer and bourbon. Honestly, craft beer pairs well with everything. Scottish craft brewer BrewDog agrees, which is why it’s launching “the world’s first craft beer airline.” Sort of.
The inaugural flight will depart London on February 21, 2019, bound for Columbus, Ohio, and return February 25. Technically, with only one chartered flight scheduled so far, it’s more like “the world’s first craft beer flight,” but let’s not split hairs. Given the company’s clever approach to marketing and marrying beer with just about everything (see also: beer-stuffed squirrel), we’re hoping this might be the niche airline we’ve all been waiting for. Kind of like Hooters Air, but successful and with better beer and less pantyhose.
The maiden voyage will feature a number of specialty beer experiences. BrewDog promises passengers exclusive beer tasting opportunities including several limited edition samples, plus free Lone Wolf canned cocktails. The company is also working on a bespoke beer brewed specifically to suit the high altitude environment (which tends to dull both smell and taste). It will ostensibly be the world’s “highest-ever” beer tasting unless, of course, you count space beer. The usual in-flight slop will be replaced with a gourmet food and beer pairing menu. Plus, if all that booze isn’t enough to lull you to sleep, BrewDog will provide branded blankets and eye masks to boot.
On the ground, the one-of-a-kind trip will include a visit to BrewDog’s shiny new, high-tech Columbus brewery with an in-depth tour of the new DogHouse Hotel and the attached beer museum. Sadly, since the hotel can only house a limited number of guests, the flight package does not include a stay there (unless you’re willing to pay a premium). It does, however, include a four-night stay elsewhere in Columbus, plus tours of the city’s other breweries and bars. There’s even a day trip to the burgeoning beer mecca that is Cincinnati.
Tickets are available almost exclusively to 200 of the company’s Equity Punks, investors who’ve previously purchased BrewDog shares. The all-in price — including round-trip flights, accommodations, and excursions — totals £1,250 (approximately USD $1,600) per person. But they’re also opening the flight to ten lucky “non-punks.” Just tag BrewDog and whatever friend you’d like to bring with you on the company’s Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter pages for the chance to win.
