You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Brewers and Their Dogs

There’s a remarkable relationship between brewers and their dogs that we have been witnessing again and again. Not only are there dozens of breweries incorporating dogs into their name (BrewDog, Flying Dog Brewery, Bike Dog Brewing, etc.), there are also many breweries that welcome dogs on the premises or that have their own dogs napping on the floors or wandering around the patios. So what is it about dogs and breweries? For many brewers, their start with beer meant many long nights in their garage or basement as they perfected their brews and learned more about their craft. Since almost 47% of all American households own a dog, it’s safe to assume a lot of these brewers had their four-legged buddy accompany them as they worked long into the night checking their beers. So it only makes sense that when they open their own small brewery, their dog would join them. Why dogs are great representations of breweries? Like dogs, breweries represent some of the best things about people: camaraderie, curiosity and a great social environment. It’s not uncommon to see dogs lounging on the patios at breweries or bowls of water outside for the passing pooch. Is it dangerous to mix beer and dogs? While we love the idea of a friendly dog in the brewery, there are some serious risks when it comes to dogs and breweries. Hops are extremely toxic to dogs, so if you are a beer brewer it’s incredibly important to make sure your buddy doesn’t start munching on your spent hops. Raw hops are quite bitter but spent hops can be more palatable and there are many heartbreaking stories of dog owners losing their pets because they foraged for hops in the compost heap. As a visitor to a brewery, you have to keep in mind how your dog responds to strangers and strange environments. If your dog bites someone, you will be liable. On the other hand, taking your dog to a brewery may also run the risk of your dog being attacked by another dog on the property. Should you take your dog to a brewery? This is a heated topic among brewery lovers. Some people really enjoy the idea of a brewery that opens their doors to their dog. It means that your dog can accompany you out for a stroll and a stop in for a pint with ease, but others believe strongly that dogs should be left at home. Some breweries are also being forced to ban dogs after violent incidences between staff and visitors’ dogs. In the end, we feel like dogs and breweries will always have a close relationship but it’s up in the air how accepted their presence will be the breweries of the future as more and more health regulations come into place.

#brewers #dogs #FlyingDogBrewery #BrewDog