It is a touchy situation as the responsibility falls to the owner to know their dog and how it will behave with other pups and in public. There is at least one brewery that has struggled with these issues and now has rules posted on your dog being present in the taproom. It has also been brought up in many brewery staff conversations on how they should handle situations when one or two dogs aren’t behaving and it is affecting the enjoyment of other patrons (or dogs patrons) in their taproom.

It isn’t so much a problem in the summer. Several breweries reserve some outdoor space for your pup to run around or they can sit with you at a table. But as things move indoors for winter, you are reminded that dogs need to be brought inside as well. Breweries seem to be part of a unique category where it is expected you can bring your dog, while it wouldn’t be expected for a bar or restaurant. Hygienics should be considered in this situation—you wouldn’t want airborne dog dander in your food, so why is it allowed in spaces where beer is made and consumed?

You’ve likely heard the expression: “One apple can ruin a basket.” Don’t be that rotten apple. It’s not your dog’s fault if they are just reacting to the scenario based on their true animalistic nature. Even the best-behaved pups can be put in a situation where there are too many unfamiliar people or dogs around, leading to an instinctive reaction that can come across as aggressive. Most dog parents are respectful and recognize that their sweet pup is being a disturbance. But every once in a while, if the owner is wrapped up in the moment or zoning out during a situation like this, their brief negligence can easily ruin the experience for everyone else.

It all comes down to knowing your pup best. If you decide to bring your beloved furry friend out with you, please consider the environment, their maturity, their disposition and respect other patrons there to enjoy a quiet pint. All of these factors can affect the experience of everyone in the room pretty quickly!