I still want to see this implemented with some local breweries. I'd definitely use tweet-a-beer.
But how easy is it to tie into twitter and a payment system? That'd be the cost.
Starbucks can distribute such costs (which may not be fixed, but certainly won't grow linearly) across a larger number of stores than your local brewhouse can.
(Or is that easier to do than I think?)
I forgot to add the 3rd benefit to the brewery is that I would assume, in general, when people stop in, they don't come alone, and they don't just have one beer and leave. Once they're in the door, they tend to spend more money.