How Your Tattoo Could Win You A Year Of Free Beer

Learn how getting a tattoo is the key to winning a year's worth of free beer.

By Joseph Farago | Published

free beer glass

IPAs, or Indian pale ales, are among the most iconic types of beers, gaining mass popularity over the last few decades. With many breweries serving up their own pale ales, the specific beer has become relatively ubiquitous and contains a range of aromatics and flavors. One brewery is going above and beyond with its ale advertising, offering free beer in exchange for one simple procedure.

A Virginia brewery called Devil’s Backbone Brewery is teaming up with local tattoo artist Jake Karamol for this newest marketing strategy. Fans of the brewery will be able to receive free beer for a whole year if they get a specific tattoo representing the company. The brewery and Karamaol have crafted three signature designs for fans to choose from. If executed, the newly tattooed participants will have a chance of winning a year’s worth of complimentary beverages.

Tattoo artist Karamol has created three unique designs based on the Devil’s Backbone signature IPAs. The Buck Tradition IPAs, an incredibly popular series of beers available at the Virginia Brewery, inspired Karamol’s sketches, each one sporting a futuristic, anthropomorphized buck. These highly colorful and imaginative designs are perfect for any IPA lover. To receive your free beer, you must be 21 years or older and get the buck tattoo before June 30th. The first 100 people to do so will receive a Devil’s Backbone gift certificate for a year’s worth of beer.

Hayes Humphreys, the chief operating officer for Devil’s Backbone Brewery, said the inspiration for this free beer giveaway was the commonalities between brewing and tattooing. “Craft beer is a fun act of rebellion,” Humphreys explained, ultimately leading to his partnership with Karamol. Creating craft beers felt similar to tattooing in that it deviates from a standard occupation path. According to Humphreys, those crafting distinct, flavorful beers have a rebellious spirit, which he likens to modern tattooers. Going down a defiant vocational path is what Humphreys and his team want to celebrate with these signature tattoos.

The brewery has added official rules for the giveaway on the company’s website to ensure that participants are fully eligible. Unfortunately, you are ineligible for the free beverage gift certificate if you live in California, Texas, and Alabama, though it’s not stated precisely why. If you plan to get the tattoo, make sure that you have someone document the experience. Three photos must be added to your Instagram to receive your free beer: one of the finished tattoo, one receiving the tattoo, and one of the artist’s signature who gave you the tattoo.

Another factor that those entering the giveaway should know is that the gift certificate will only be for $480. For some, almost $500 is enough to constitute a full year of complimentary beverages. But for others, this might be a lower figure than expected. If you need a lot of free beer to quench your cravings, getting a permanent Devil’s Backbone buck tattoo might not be worth it. If the official rules don’t diminish your yearning for free beer, this tattoo contest is perfect. The promotion will only last until the end of June, so get your avant-garde deer tattoo before it’s too late.