AKRON, Ohio - Hoping to show why brewers are among the most creative people around, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.'s John Najeway surprised the brewing world with his announcement today of a special hire.

A dog.

Putting a dog in the brewhouse meant Najeway first had to check health-department codes, determine any logistical concerns, and make sure everything is OK legally. The debut dog hire is Barley, a nine-year-old English lab.

Pet insurance was another concern for Najeway, who said his lawyers are finalizing Barley's contract. Whether Barley will be covered by workers compensation, should an injury arrive, also is being considered.

You often see dog-friendly breweries and brewpubs, but this pilot program takes that to another level.

Another Thirsty Dog brewer has a Belgian Malinois and is helping to train Barley. "Hopefully we'll get some nice Belgian beer going," Najeway said. "There's some natural hereditary things going with that."

Pay was determined by Thirsty Dog's location. Barley's salary will be $5.29 a month - reflecting the address of the brewery's tasting room on Grant Street. It's enough for "a good, big bag of treats," Najeway said.

Rescues, bomb sniffing and service assistance are the usual traits associated with working dogs, but Najeway really sees the program taking off for beer.

If it goes well, he is considering hiring dogs to work in additional roles at the brewery's Flats location, which is currently closed because of the coronavirus shutdown. He is thinking of training dogs to pat down the tops of cardboard boxes of beer, holding them in place while workers tape them shut. "It's another pair of hands - in this case, paws - to help us be more efficient," he said.

Like other breweries that have taprooms, Thirsty Dog cannot have dine-in customers because of the restaurant-shutdown order. But it can manufacture beer and is continuing to do so.

Following Barley will be Murphy, a German Shepherd, Najeway said. Future dog hires will be announced if the pilot program goes according to plan. Najeway has hired renowned dog handler Sidd Finch of New York to work with Barley.

Other considerations Najeway has to keep in mind include keeping plenty of water bowls out and filled. "He likes to cleanse his palate," he said about Barley. "He's got some experimental hops he's working with."

Only difference for Barley vs. other workers is no shift beer, said Najeway, who is careful about what the dog will be allowed to eat and drink. That means only fresh water will go in his bowl - no beer. And Finch will make sure Barley gets plenty of exercise, he said.

Labels on Thirsty Dog's beers keep the theme going - Citra Dog, Labrador Lager, Old Leghumper, 12 Dogs of Christmas and dozens more. The award-winning Akron brewery was founded in 1997.

"So we've got a couple of other brewers who are cat people," Najeway said. "They are going to have to warm up to this." Barley will discern hop profiles that will be used - regardless of what the other brewers want - in the brewery's new beers. Recipes for the core beers will remain the same.

Dogs are known, of course, for their keen sense of smell, which will serve well in a brewhouse where different yeast strains and hops are used in a variety of ways. While the dog can't actually brew, work the bottling line, or discuss brewing techniques, Najeway said he expects all his brewers to follow whatever recipe Barley chooses. "They have great sniffers," he said.

And Najeway has been busy, between the dog-pilot program and dealing with operating a business during the coronavirus shelter-in-place order. (The brewery is offering beer to go and has partnered with The Pierogi Lady for menu options. Call 330-252-2739.)

Yet for all the planning and training Najeway is working on, the smartest thing he might have done is put a bottle opener on Barley's collar. "So we can enjoy a treat together to toast our hard work," he said.

Previous coverage: April 1 is a big day for brewery news in Northeast Ohio. Market Garden Brewery (2017), Forest City Brewery (2018) and The Jolly Scholar (2019) all made big announcements on this date.

Editor’s note: Wishing everyone - beer drinkers and others - a happy April Fool’s Day. Cheers, and be safe and healthy.