A toast!

Today is National “Drink Beer Day,” a chance to celebrate the third most popular drink on the planet after water and tea. One the oldest alcoholic drinks on earth (archaeological evidence for its fermentation dates back to least 13,000 years),  brewing and drinking beer predate written language. Nor did every culture limit its use to drink; Ancient Egyptians used it as a douche and enema. Yeah, you can’t unsee the visuals.

The Czech Republic consumes the most beer per capita of any country in the world, but we in the United States are holding our own: The beer industry here turns annual profits of over 100 billion dollars.  With 1,571 breweries, California has the most, and as of 2023, 987 of them were craft breweries. New York follows in second place with 762 breweries, Pennsylvania with 761 breweries. and Washington state ranking fourth with 692 breweries.

Some people like to make their own beer at home, some just like to drink it at home, and there’s a following for that, too:  On a lark, someone we know created a Instagram page and called it, “Guy Drinks Beer at Home.” Not only has he amassed a following seemingly overnight, but craft brewers have noticed and routinely pitch their beer for him to try out. Occasionally, his Golden Retriever provides visual interest, too.

And speaking of dogs, there is no shortage of breweries that have dog-themed names or incorporate dogs into their branding. To name a few:  Flying Dog, Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, Sea Dog Brewing Company, Laughing Dog Brewing and Bone Up Brewing (which has entire beer series dedicated to dogs) are among them.

Others get more specific and include the breed name, like Black Lab Milk Stout and Ugly Pug. Some breweries feature the image of a breed on their labels: An English Bulldog named Roswell Barker is the mascot for Portland’s Hair of the Dog brewery;  Barney, the “sea dog” of Maine’s Sea Dog Brewing Company, is a Great Pyrenees, and a Dalmatian is the sleepy dog on the cartoonish logo for Sleepy Dog Brewery of Tempe, Arizona. Petey, an American Staffordshire Terrier, is the inspiration for the fictional dog on Lagunitas Brewing Company’s bottle caps (also seen in the image at the top). and the Red Dog beer label shows a Bulldog, and an Irish Setter graces Thirsty Dog Brewing Company’s Red.

One day, someone out there may compile a database of dog breed-themed beers, but for now, did you know you can make your own beer label?  There is no shortage of online sites that help you craft one, but here are a few: Beer Labelizer, Canva, NextDayFlyers, Placit, and Grogtag, and there are many more.

We leave you with three of our favorite toasts when clinking beer glasses:

“Here’s to man’s best friend and man’s best drink!”

“May your glass be full and your dog’s bowl never empty!”

“Here’s to the one that loves me best
Who shares with me my humble lot
Whos’ glad when I am glad
and sorry when I’m not,
who goes wherever I want to go And never asks me why;
Who does whatever I want him to
And never told a lie!
My dog”

We lie. Our final, final thought is that dogs should never be given beer. Here is what the AKC writes on the topic.