Dive Brief:

• Anheuser-Busch is testing a program that will allow Facebook users to buy beer on the social-media site and send it to a friend.
• The program, dubbed Buds for Buds, provides recipients with a digital gift receipt that they can redeem at bars and restaurants. 
• The program debuts today in Chicago and Denver, and is expected to roll out nationally next year. 

Dive Insight:

The actual nuts and bolts of Buds for Buds will be handled by Gratafy, an app-based program that lets users send vouchers for meals and drinks at local restaurants to friends. Given that Gratafy has been doing this sort of thing for awhile, it's probably safe to assume that they've been able to address one of the biggest concerns for online beer sales — underage drinking. As long as participating restaurants and bars actually check IDs, there seems to be little reason to worry.

In fact, about the only criticism we have of the program is that it comes just two days too late. We know of quite a few Bud Light drinkers at the Denver airport who could have done with a gift on Sunday night.