Guinness has taken QR codes to a new level - by releasing QR-printed pint glasses into bars in New York that only work when filled with the black stuff.

It is the first example of a QR code that requires the product to activate it.

Once the glasses are filled with Guinness, the QR code can be scanned with a smartphone. As QR codes have to be black and white, it won’t work if the glass is filled with a lighter-coloured drink such as lager.

Once scanned, the code can tweet that you are having a Guinness, upload a picture to Instagram, or can use the location services on Facebook or Foursquare to invite your friends to join you for a pint.

It also offers coupons and promotions.

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