We love the critical, opinionated and passionate reviews you submit to TrustedPlaces; we think businesses should listen to customers instead of forcing their ideas on them, so anything that encourages dialogue between the two is a very good thing.

We’ve all got ideas on how to improve places we’ve visited - a comfier sofa in the pub, a better selection of pastries at the local cafe or quieter music in the cocktail bar. But what if you could have a hand in shaping the taste of your favourite drink?

Beer lovers everywhere may be interested in a couple of new projects designed to encourage just that. Two organisations are bringing power to the people with their schemes to get customers involved in decision making.

BeerBankroll aims to form a community of like-minded people to create a brewing company via ‘crowd funding’. $50 per year gets you a ‘Beer’ t-shirt and the right to vote on important company decisions like choosing a logo and product name, with profits split three ways: 1/3 going to members via reward points, 1/3 going to charity and 1/3 going back in to the company. OurBrew similarly aims to design a unique new beer but it’s free to join and they won’t be brewing it themselves, but approaching established local brewers.

Customisable products have been gaining in popularity since the first swappable mobile phone covers became available but this is a big leap forward. It makes sense to allow people to shape the products they buy, and businesses are starting to twig that community spirit is appealing to consumers. Everyone wants their opinions and ideas to be listened to and valued, and the concept of designing a new beer by committee is a very interesting one. We can’t wait to find out what it tastes like!

What do you think? If you could design your own drink what would it taste like? And are there any other products you’d like to be able to customise?

Photo credit: Beer O’Clock by Ben Harris-Roxas (CC License)

Technorati Tags: TrustedPlaces, beer, new zealand, community, design, customise, brew