The Thirstie app has finally come to Canadian markets. The alcohol delivery app began testing their direct-to-door alcohol delivery service in Ottawa and Toronto on Oct. 20, 2015. The app itself is available for download on both the Google Play Store and the iTunes App Store. The reaction to such a service may come as bittersweet, as the service does come with an extra fee of $10 for delivery. Thirstie’s business plan compares with other similar alcohol delivery companies in Toronto and Ottawa.
Additionally, the app may pick up the slack of former alcohol delivery services with a newfound efficiency for those who just can’t find the time to visit an LCBO or Beer Store.
Thirstie isn’t the first company to attempt to corner the Canadian alcohol delivery market. For instance, services like Dial-A-Bottle have long been in Ontario, including the Guelph area providing clients with on-call alcohol. Unlike other similar services, however, Thirstie only delivers alcohol to clients.
However, these additional services make Dial-A-Bottle and the Beer Man so appealing. The Beer Man, for example, offers to prick up empty bottles and uses the cost of a return deposit to subsidize the cost of deliveries.
Despite the competition provided by already-existing services, Thirstie does come with a modern start-up attitude that may allure the more particular beer, wine, and spirit drinker. Simply visiting the website reveals that Thirstie provides an extensive and sophisticated menu designed to attract the interests of consumers.
With its elaborate drink menu, the omnipresence of drink recipes and drink mixing recipe videos, Thirstie’s website provides an extensive source of creative and craft recipe content, even for clients not looking for a delivery.
The app’s developers have also partnered with the Glimpse web design platform to provide users with tracking ability on their alcohol orders—a nice perk for the thirsty consumer.
A question remains, however: what are the legal requirements for delivery, as well as the certifications needed for drivers hoping to join the Thirstie team?
Delivery services in the London area, such as Beers to You, require a valid piece of government-issued identification upon delivery so that drivers can check consumers’ ages. Additionally, all Beers to You drivers are Smart Serve certified.
For now, the Thirstie App requires legal proof of age with government-issued identification. If consumers fail to prove that they are legally able to purchase alcohol, they may be charged with a $20 restocking fee—an attempt to deter under age delivery requests.