When someone brings up the idea of “beer for dogs,” the first place my brain goes is the bad old days of the 1980s and the marketing phenomenon of “Spuds Mackenzie,” a Bull Terrier who seemed to subsist entirely on Bud Lite.
Of course, that’s only because I lived through the trauma of Reagan-era marketing campaigns. In the 21st century, there are dog beer alternatives that aren’t necessarily intended to bring out everyone’s inner fratboy. Flat 12 Bierwerks of Indianapolis has just launched a non-alcoholic brew that’s specifically for your dog.
The brew isn’t just overstocked near-beer that they slapped a “dog” label on; Flat 12 Bierwerks definitely put some thought into what “dog beer” should be. According to Headlines & Global News, it’s made out of meat bones and trimmings, carrots, potatoes, and brewers’ yeast. I have zero experience with alcohol thanks to a lifelong seizure disorder, but based on what little I know about what constitutes “good” beer, that definitely sounds like something more appropriate to a canine palate than human.
https://instagram.com/p/6qMv5dRBkl/?taken-by=flat12bierwerks
Flat 12 came up with the concoction because the brewery itself is very dog-centered. “I think every employee here owns a dog,” Marketing Director Valerie Green told the Indy Star. “We are all very dog-friendly. We wanted to make something really good for them, but also a treat. Plus it is safe, no alcohol and no carbonation.”
https://instagram.com/p/6qVoKFxBlw/?taken-by=flat12bierwerks
To its credit, Flat 12 Bierwerks launched the creation in a way that made it all about the dogs. Last Friday, they celebrated with a big pet adoption and donation drive for Heaven After Hell Animal Rescue.
Unfortunately for those who want to share the drinking experience with their dogs, you’ll have to be in Indianapolis to get ahold of this particular brew. For now, it’s available only at Flat 12 and Smoking Goose, the restaurant that donates the bones and meat that the dog beer is made of.
So how do the dogs feel about the new beer? There’s been few forthcoming quotes, but based on this video of a Black Lab named Porter, it’s safe to say that at least one dog gave it an enthusiastic approval.
What do you beer fans think? Would you like to swig beer side-by-side with your pooch? Or is this just a hipster gimmick? Inquiring minds want to know.
Via Headlines & Global News and Indy Star
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