The Total Vanderbilt Ave Immersion Aug 20th

Here's what having the card meant when they did it on 4th Ave a few weeks ago:

The cover is $2, or just $1 if you’re a card-carrying member of The Total 4th Avenue Immersion. To pick up a free card that entitles you to all the complimentary brews and deals, you’ll need to arrive by noon at Oaxaca (250 4th Ave.) or Cherry Tree (65 4th Ave.) on July 16. There will only be 500 cards available–250 at each pick up point–so get yours early, or get a friend to retrieve one for you. We’ll announce when they run out on Twitter and Facebook, along with the winners of Brooklyn Brewery booty throughout the day.

I have no idea if the card will work the same way this time.

I suspect the Facebook/email routine allows them to have some idea of how many people to line up and get cards ...which would allow them to know how much security to hire and how much beer to order in advance.

bulk email from them:

Our last Brooklyn Brewery-fueled immersion of the summer is this Saturday, August 20! Join us on Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights for a daylong crawl on a packed strip of excellent Brooklyn bars, shops and restaurants.

From noon to 6 pm, Soda, Branded Saloon, Woodwork, and Hot Bird (just off of Vanderbilt) will be pouring complimentary cups of Brooklyn Brewery beers including the delicious Summer Ale, The Concoction, Lager and Pennant Ale. Le Gamin, The Vanderbilt and Beast will all be offering complimentary Local 1 during their “beer brunches,” Eton, Amorina, and Blue Marble Ice Cream (on Underhill) have specials up their sleeve, and shops like 1 of a Find Vintage and design store Fabrica are discounting for the day. (A map of the latest participants and their deals is here.)

To get in on the cheap fun, you’ll need a free immersion card, which we’ll be handing out at Hot Bird (546 Clinton Ave. at Atlantic) and at Le Gamin (556 Vanderbilt Ave. between Dean and Bergen) at noon on August 20. (There are only 500 total, and they go quickly, so you won’t want to sleep in!) When they run out, we’ll announce it on Twitter and Facebook, along with the winners of Brooklyn Brewery booty throughout the day.

Follow @BrooklynBased and @BrooklynBrewery for updates. And tell us you’re coming via Facebook or email–we’ll keep you posted on last-minute participants.

This makes it sound like if your don't have a card, you are just a regular person.