I discovered a wonderful new app from creator Andrea Sanchez and her team at Beergr.am (yes that’s their website). BeerGram combines the functionality of Foursquare (checking in) with a mobile wallet type app that allows you to buy your friends beers even when you are not in the same bar, which is great at wide events like SXSW.

BeerGram is a free app to share and really connect during all of life’s moments, the good days, bad days or just because days. Now instead of just commenting on a particularly bad day or liking a moment in a friend’s life, you can send something small, inexpensive but meaningful. You can send them a beer, you can send them a craft beer!

So we decided to play 5 questions with Andrea. Here goes:

1. We love the concept behind the app, what inspired it?
Being connected with my friends from high school and college on real-time social applications left me frustrated. I felt connected to my friends but actually missed them more because I could now “see” them everyday and interact with them. I wanted to be able to do something for them when they had a bad day or just because I missed them. But, when you have not seen someone in years, what do you send? And besides WHAT to send, will my gift be considered odd or weird since it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other? Beer was the answer to me! I’m a huge craft beer gal and I wanted to send a beer to my friends so, ….BeerGram.

2. We know you are in Beta testing right now, any plans for expansion beyond Austin?
We are actually in a couple of bars in Houston already and will be adding more soon. While we are in our beta period we did limit the number of locations but will adding more in more cities as well! We have some great locations joining us before SXSWi.

3. How will we know when new bars/restaurants are added to our area?
BeerGram will begin blogging soon, www.beergr.am. We are going to run a spotlight on every location that joins our mission of spreading cheer with beer. In addition, the BeerGram news feed announces new locations that are added. But, you can always look by tapping the bar stools from the BeerGram app to see listed BeerGram locations.

4. Tell us about the integration with Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter.
Well, currently BeerGram is integrated with Facebook and Foursquare. We will be adding Twitter as well this month. You can sign up to BeerGram using Fb Connect or create a BeerGram account. BeerGram requests permission to share any BeerGrams you send or redeem. In addition, you can share a check-in via Fb and maybe a friend will send you a beer then and there to that location! Johnny on the Spot!

5. Any plans for SXSW?
Well, not officially yet but we are planning a fun bash with the wonderful ladies of BitchBeer!

There you have it! A great new way to socialize with friends over a beer! We’re really looking forward to trying it out at SXSW!

What’s that? You’re in the midst of a typical SXSW hangover/need food/maybe a beer yearning but don’t know where to go?

Relax dear reader, the answer is the Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden at 709 E. 6th St (between Sabine and the I-35 frontage road).

This unique establishment fills the space previously occupied by the Texas Embassy bar, which served a great selection of local beers. During my chat with Billy Caruso of Easy Tiger, he mentioned that while they will have local beers, their philosophy is more about provided great American craft beers. He has certainly outdone himself, with beers on tap or in bottle from brewers such as Avery, Ommegang, Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, Brooklyn, Stone, and Ska and many others. Local beers include Real Ale and Independence (their Stash IPA is my personal favorite, so you *know* I’ll be there).

Easy Tiger will have 30 beers on tap, 24 glycol chilled lines running both inside and out (you won’t have to run back upstairs to get another brew), plus 6 unique beers on tap only inside.

But wait! There’s more! The crew at Easy Tiger make their own house made sausage (including vegetarian!), house cured meats including beef jerky, pastrami, and corned beef. These delicacies are offered by the 1/4 pound, 1/2 pound sandwich, or 1 pound Full sandwich (!!!). They also serve cheese plates from local Antonelli’s cheeses, and snack boards in three styles; German, Italian, and New York.

As if that wasn’t enough, Easy Tiger makes breads and pastries. With the bake shop, in-house sausage and meat curing and great beers, they have it all.

Easy tiger also has a wine list and softer beverages. All in all it looks like a little oasis in the craziness of SXSW, and for the record their menu includes the four basic food groups of SXSW; alcohol, sugar, meat, and caffeine.

Easy Tiger is open Monday through Sunday 7:00 am-2:00 am, with the beer garden open from 11:00 am-2:00 am. The kitchen stays open until last call at 1:45 am, so it’s a great place for that post showcase late night snack.

Check out their Facebook page here.

The fine folks at AustinbeerGuide.com have published their Winter edition just in time to start planning for SXSW!

The new guide, which is published seasonally, gives details on all Central Texas brewers, brepubs, and beer bars, including descriptions of their products and maps for locations.

It is a great resource, and everyone attending SXSW should give it a look see, even veterans will be surprised at how much the craft beer scene in austin has changed since last year.

Some beers to note are Independence’s Convict Hill Oatmeal Stout, winner of a Good Food Award and several seasonal beers from the local Austin brewers. when in doubt, ask your friendly SXSW beertender for whats new!

The newest guide can be found here. Note the maps on pages 52, 54, and 56.

Of special note for Ewan is page 25