Dogs are currently banned from Minneapolis brewery taprooms, as the City of Minneapolis considers them a health code violation (because beer is considered food, so the same rules apply to breweries as restaurants), however a select few breweries have been operating outside of the law, giving local dog owners a taste of what life could be like if the city allowed dogs to join their human companions when they go out for a beer. 

So let's give brewery owners the right to decide if they want to be dog-friendly or not. While some local breweries have already decided to do so, all should be able to feel comfortable in allowing dogs in their taprooms and promoting it without the fear that they will be caught and fined. Patrons who bring their dogs should feel confident in posting adorable photos of them enjoying a pint with their four-legged pal by their side and not be concerned about getting the brewery in trouble if the wrong person saw it. My fiancé and I love so many of our local breweries not just because of the good beer, but more because they allow us to bring our Beagle, Haley. Many of them are so accommodating that they treat her with the same level of hospitality and A+ service as they do us...providing complimentary water bowls, dog treats and abundant affection! Unfortunately, when I go to write an online review about those places, I have to leave all of that good stuff out for fear the health department might crack down. In addition to being a dog owner and local craft beer lover, I'm also a full-time dog care provider who likes to take her furry clients out to breweries as well. Not only do they love the extra attention, treats and time with us, but their owners couldn't be happier. Many of them have busy lives and kids that prevent them from providing their dogs with such experiences. One of my clients says she loves that her dog has a better social life and nightlife than she does! We've met some really great people at Minneapolis breweries too...some of whom have since become very good friends, and most of whom only struck up a conversation because they wanted to say hi to our dog! I can't say enough about how bringing dogs into taprooms has brought joy to our lives, not to mention how it's enhanced the dog's lives as well. But that's not all...

Allowing dogs in taprooms is good for business. When deciding which brewery to visit, my fiancé and I often select those that allow dogs over those that don't, and while some breweries have dog-friendly patios, the options are slim in the colder months. Late last year my fiancé and I stopped by one of our favorite breweries to pick up a growler of beer to take home since Haley was with us. When the beertender asked if she could get us anything else, we explained to her that while we'd love to, we had our dog waiting in the car. Then she explained that they actually allowed dogs! Within moments, we each ordered a pint and I ran to the car to drop off our growler and grab Haley. Before we left, we ordered another round. In the end, we would have spent half as much money there if we hadn't been able to bring Haley inside, and that's just one example of how allowing dogs in taprooms can help boost sales and support the local economy. In addition to the potential for selling more beer, breweries could increase revenue with sales of "dog beer" and dog gear (some even make and sell their own dog treats from spent grains), and they could host dog-friendly events like yappy hours and fundraisers for local rescue organizations. And speaking of rescues...it would be a great opportunity for canine foster parents to bring their foster dogs out for some extra exposure...they might even end up finding them a foverer home!

Please join us in asking the City of Minneapolis to *legally* allow dogs in taprooms! Thank you for your support!