Ready to Crack a Cold One with Rover?

Starbucks does their “pup cups”, Dairy Queen offers a free soft-serve, Tim Hortons doles out complimentary Timbits, and every patio worth a mention provides bowls of fresh water for pooches tagging along with their human. So, we know the restaurant industry has our four-legged buddies well covered.

But just how to turn the to-go experience in a new, healthier direction was being mulled over by a pet-owning entrepreneur out of New Brunswick. Having personally visited some of the trendier, canine-centric establishments dotting the coast of Croatia, Cindy James knew there was a market for something a little more bespoke and better aligned to how hard-working dog owners liked to kick back with pets at the end of a long day. Nope, not with mini-cups of ice cream or donut holes. She was thinking of something more along the lines of popping the tab on an ice-cold beer. That frosty feel of a well-chilled can, the sound and aroma emanating from a slowly poured, golden ale. I mean, nothing beats cracking a cold one… unless it’s sharing the experience on the back deck with Rover sitting shotgun. Right?

It was with this in mind, that “Crafty Beasts Brewing Company” came to be.

Partnering with a local cannery to get the presentation just right, James’ goal was to create the same look and feel of a chilled brewsky but in a non-alcoholic version that was not only appealing to the canine palate, but healthy, and environmentally sound as well.

Make no mistake, this brew isn’t anything close to the non-alcoholic beers produced by well-known brands attempting to emulate the real thing. So, no swap-outs here.

James confirms “We have created a very healthy all-natural Canadian-sourced bone broth that has fruits and veggies and a couple of different proteins in it.” And while it’s tasty to your pooch, its also environmentally helpful. You see, Crafty Beasts Brewing Company creates their “beer” broths using foods diverted from the human markets including beef, seafood, fruits and veggies. So, something that's healthy, tasty, and when the tab is popped at the end of a long walk, a refreshing change to ho-hum standard water your pet normally gets.

Now, in a world of uniquely named craft beers, of course this preservative-free brew has jumped on the proverbial band wagon, taking on distinctive monikers including “Unleashed”, “Fetch”, and a recent addition made with fish protein, called “Catch”.

While it’s no surprise, this doggy brew is a fun upsell at pet-friendly dining establishments, its also a great way to chill out with your fave buddy on the back deck after a long day. And who isn’t down for that?