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Beer Goes To The Dogs

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

DADE CITY - Humans and dogs who attended the recent Barktoberfest event may find a new way to bond.

The event featured free samples of Bowser Beer.

That's right.

Beer for dogs.
Jenny Brown of Scottsdale, Ariz., said she came up with the idea a few years ago when she was making pretzels at a farmer's market in Virginia.

"People came by and said, 'If you made them for dogs, I'd buy some,'

" Brown said.

So, she made pretzels for dogs.

Then she thought, "What goes better with pretzels than beer?"

Besides, she had heard stories about people letting their dogs drink beer and other alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey and cola.

"People celebrate with their dogs. It speaks to the whole emotional bonding," she said. "But they need an alternative when they party with their pets."

Unlike actual beer, the beverage for barkers is not carbonated and contains no alcohol. Developed a couple of years ago, it comes in two flavors: Beefy Brown Ale and Cock-a-Doodle Brew, which are sold in six-packs - or as singles in some locations.

"People are almost proud that their dogs drink alcohol, but the hops in beer can cause seizures in some dogs," Brown said. "Our tag line says: 'Is your dog drinking responsibly?'

"The barley is good for shiny coats, but we use beef broth instead of hops. We also use glucosamine to keep their joints healthy."

Brown said the beer was developed with the help of a food scientist.

While Bowser Beer is distributed across the country, it is bottled locally at Tampa Bay CoPack, in the Dade City Business Center off U.S. 301.

On a recent Friday afternoon, workers at Tampa Bay CoPack filled about 8,500 bottles.

"It's a pretty unique product," said Scot Ballantyne, who runs the packing business. "There are one or two other companies out there with the same kind of idea, but it's very unique with the packaging - and that the dogs run the company."

He wasn't kidding about his dogs.

Chewy, 12, a Golden retriever, is vice president of customer relations; Dax, a 7-year-old Rottweiler, is chief of security; Casey, 10, a West Highland terrier, is the "floor manager," because he has a penchant for dropped food; and Maggie, 13, an English mastiff, is the mascot, as seen on Bowser six packs.

The beer is sold at a few businesses in the Tampa Bay area, including Fluffy Puppies on Montague Street in Westchase.

"Our other store in Belleair carried it, and we've seen it at dog shows," said Lori Myrback, owner of the Fluffy Puppies on Montague. "I was doing an event at the Green Iguana, and since they were doing beer specials, I thought Bowser Beer would be a good addition.

"I think people got a kick out of it. They got a beer for themselves and a beer for their dog."

While the beer hasn't exactly been selling as fast as a greyhound at Fluffy Puppies, Myrback expects sales to pick up around the holidays.

"A six-pack is about $18, so it's not like getting a six pack of Miller Lite. It's a little more expensive," she said. "I did sell a few six-packs during hurricane season, though."

Dogs as far away as Puerto Rico, Hong Kong and the Virgin Islands have had Bowser Beer, Brown said.

"People love it. They get it. It's healthy, but it's fun at the same time," she said. "They see it and think of 20 people they can give it to.

"We're also customizing labels now so we can get the picture of your dog and put it on the label. Eventually, they'll be able to do it right online."

BOWSER BEER

For information about Bowser Beer, visit www.3busy dogs.com.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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