Privacy policy

1. Who we are

TwoBeerDudes (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates twobeerdudes.com, a website about American craft beer—including brewery and establishment directories, reviews, ratings, reference content, and related tools. This privacy policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Questions about privacy? Contact us at info@twobeerdudes.com.

2. Scope

This policy applies to information collected through twobeerdudes.com and our related account services. It does not cover third-party websites or services we link to (including our blog at a separate domain, social networks, brewery websites, or map providers). Those sites have their own policies.

3. Information we collect

Information you provide

• Account information: When you register, we collect a username, email address, and password (stored in hashed form). You may optionally provide profile details such as first and last name, city, state, birthdate, timezone, and a short bio.
• Profile media: If you upload an avatar, we store the image and related metadata on our servers.
• User content: Reviews and ratings of beers and establishments, establishment check-ins, favorites, event-notification preferences, and similar content you submit while using the site.
• Communications: If you email us, we receive the content of your message and your email address.

Information collected automatically

• Authentication cookies: When you log in, we set an HTTP-only cookie that keeps you signed in. You can log out to clear it.
• Registration and security data: When you create an account, we record your IP address and use it (and third-party services described below) to verify that registration originates from the United States and to help prevent abuse.
• Usage and device data: Our servers and analytics tools may log information such as pages viewed, referring URLs, browser type, general device characteristics, and approximate location derived from IP address.

Location information you choose to share

Some features—such as “near me” search, maps, and the pub crawl planner—can use your browser’s geolocation or an address, city, or zip code you enter. We use that information only to provide the feature you requested (for example, finding nearby establishments or building a route). Geolocation is requested only when you take an action that needs it; we do not silently track your precise location in the background.

4. How we use information

We use the information above to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the website and your account
• Display your profile, reviews, ratings, and other content according to your settings
• Send transactional emails (such as account activation and password reset messages)
• Send optional event notifications when you enable them for favorited establishments
• Detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Understand aggregate usage and improve content and features
• Comply with law and enforce our Terms of Service

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your email address for unrelated third-party marketing.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

In addition to the authentication cookie described above, we may use cookies, local storage, or similar technologies for session management and analytics. When Google Analytics (GA4) is enabled on the site, Google may set its own cookies or use similar technologies to collect usage information. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling cookies may limit certain features (including staying logged in).

6. Third-party services

We use service providers that process information on our behalf or when you interact with certain features. These may include:

• Google Sign-In — optional sign-in and account linking (we receive your Google account identifier and email from Google when you choose this option; Google handles your Google password — subject to Google’s Privacy Policy)
• Google reCAPTCHA — bot detection during registration (subject to Google’s Privacy Policy)
• Google Analytics (GA4) — optional site usage analytics when configured
• Google Maps — map display and related location features when configured
• ipapi.co — country lookup from IP address during U.S. registration checks
• OpenRouteService — optional routing calculations for pub crawl features when configured
• Email delivery providers — sending account and notification emails through our mail server configuration
• Google Fonts — typography delivery (your browser may send data to Google when fonts load)

Each provider processes data under its own terms and privacy policies. We share only what is necessary for the relevant feature.

7. How we share information

We may share information in these situations:

• Public profile and content: Usernames, avatars, reviews, ratings, and profile statistics may be visible to other visitors when you post them or when you turn on profile sharing. New accounts default to a private profile until you choose to share.
• Service providers: With vendors that host, operate, or support the site, under confidentiality obligations appropriate to the service.
• Legal and safety: When we believe disclosure is required by law, to protect rights and safety, or to investigate abuse.
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to this policy or a successor policy with notice.

8. Your choices

• Profile visibility: Control whether other members can see extended profile statistics through your profile settings.
• Event notifications: Enable or disable notifications globally and per favorite establishment.
• Account information: Update most profile fields from your account settings.
• Location: Deny browser geolocation permission or use manual location entry instead.
• Analytics cookies: Use browser controls and, where available, Google’s analytics opt-out tools.

To request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information we hold about you, email info@twobeerdudes.com. We may need to verify your identity and retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (for example, maintaining review integrity).

9. Data retention

We keep account and user content for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. We may retain certain information after account closure to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, or maintain the integrity of community content (for example, reviews attributed to a username). Server logs and analytics data are retained for a limited period appropriate to their purpose.

10. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information, including hashed passwords and HTTP-only authentication cookies in production. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children and age

The site is intended for adults of legal drinking age in their jurisdiction. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone we know to be under the legal drinking age. If you believe a minor has provided us personal information, contact info@twobeerdudes.com and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

12. U.S. focus and state privacy rights

The service is oriented toward users in the United States. New account registration is limited to IP addresses we verify as U.S.-based. If you access the site from outside the United States, you do so at your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local law.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights regarding access, deletion, or correction of personal information, and the right to opt out of certain processing. California residents may have rights under the CCPA/CPRA. To exercise applicable rights, contact info@twobeerdudes.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising privacy rights permitted by law.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy on this page and update the “Last updated” date. Material changes may also be highlighted on the site or communicated by email where appropriate. Continued use after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.

14. Contact

Privacy questions: info@twobeerdudes.com

See also our Terms of Service.