• by Tanya Gazdik , June 9, 2011

TGI Friday's has added an app to its Facebook page that allows users to buy beers for their friends.

The app corresponds to a promotion from the Carrollton, Texas-based fast-casual chain, which is dubbing it the "summer of beer" with a new "Better with Brew" menu. The restaurant company is also encouraging Facebook page visitors to use the app to buy their fathers a beer for Father's Day instead of socks or a tie.

Facebook users 21 years and older can buy their Facebook friends up to five beers simply by "liking" the Friday's fan page and placing an order through the custom tab.

The purchase price is set at $5, regardless of the recipient's location, and is redeemable for any beer of choice, non-alcoholic beverage or food item at any Friday's. Those who receive the e-certificates can download and print them or simply leave them on their smartphones to be redeemed at Friday's.

Fridays is promoting the app on its Web page, Facebook page, Twitter feed and YouTube page. It will run at least through the summer, possibly longer, according to a spokesperson.

The promotion celebrates the age-old tradition of buying a friend a beer "whether to celebrate or commiserate," said Shannon Gewinner, vice president of brand marketing, TGI Friday's, in a statement.

Also in celebration of beer, the chain is offering menu items that incorporate beer into the food recipe. Entree examples include the "Black Angus Brew House Steak" which is prepared with a beer and citrus marinade, and the "Ale House Baby Back Ribs" which are slow-cooked and fire-grilled with craft beer.

On the Facebook app, Friday's is featuring tap handles showing Samuel Adams, Heineken, Blue Moon, Corona Extra and Stella Artois.

Along with a variety of draft and bottled beer, guests can also choose from the following, new regional craft beer selections (availability varies by state): Harpoon IPA , Magic Hat #9, New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale, Goose Island Honkers Ale, Abita Amber, Alaskan IPA (Alaska only), Boulevard Wheat and Uinta Cutthroat Ale (Utah only).