Megan and Steve Long are dog lovers, but they had no idea their passion for pups would lead them to open one of the country’s first canine breweries. It all started when their Rottweiler mix, Rocky began having digestive issues. In order to ease his symptoms, Megan began experimenting with his diet and searching online for ideas. Soon she found herself brewing non-alcoholic “beer” to pour over Rocky’s food.
One year and a good deal of experimentation later, Good Boy Dog Beer was born! The Houston-based company currently offers three different “beers” in more than 20 dog-friendly restaurants and bars. Each can retails for $5.
There’s the pork-based “IPA Lot In The Yard,” chicken-based “Mailman Malt Licker,” and veggie-based “Session…Squirrel!” Plans for a fourth variety – “Crotch Sniffin’ Ale,” are underway. It is made with unsalted peanuts and almonds, whole grain oats, cinnamon and water.
Good Boy Dog Beer can be served on its own as a tasty beverage or poured over food to soften it. Each brew is made from all-natural ingredients including turmeric, which is excellent for canine digestion.
“We only use spices that are 100 percent friendly to dogs and have a health benefit,” Megan Long told USA Today.
Good Boy brews are salt-free and made from meat, veggies and spices instead of alcohol and hops. They use much of the same equipment as traditional breweries, but as you may expect, the flavors bear little resemblance to your favorite malt beverages.
The Longs are not the only pup parents cashing in on the “bark brewery” phenomenon. There’s Happy Dog Beer Co. in Montana, Pet Winery in Florida, Apollo Peak in Colorado, and the company that started it all, Seattle’s Bowser Beer.
Jenny Brown, who founded Bowser Beer in 2007, says the trend is here to stay.
“It’s not just a seasonal or gifty thing,” she said. “A lot of people use it as an everyday food topping.”
Bowser Beer’s treats and brews are now available in more than 600 pet stores, restaurants and bars around the country. The company also doubled its sales last year.
The pet care industry took in $70 billion last year. What’s $5 when it means you can enjoy a beer with your beloved pooch?
H/T to USA Today
Featured Images via Facebook/Happy Dog Beer Co. & Facebook/Good Boy Dog Beer
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via Whisker Therapy