Lorton breweries to welcome canine friends this summer

A dog at Forge Brew Works in Lorton.

Thanks to a bill signed into state law last month, Virginia breweries like Lorton-based Fair Winds Brewing Company and Forge Brew Works will start permitting dogs inside taprooms this July.

Although animals — with the exception of guide or guard animals — will still be banned from areas used for the manufacture or storage of food products, dogs soon will be allowed in designated areas inside breweries, distilleries and wineries that choose to welcome them.
Owners of both Lorton-based breweries — located off opposite sides of the Fairfax County Parkway near the I-95 interchange — plan to accept patrons with pooches.

“As of July 1, our taproom will be dog-friendly,” said Casey Jones, CEO of Fair Winds. “We are thankful for this law change.”

In 2016, following some customer complaints, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences started cracking down on a longstanding unenforced law prohibiting non-service dogs from inside breweries. Brew pub owners were forced to relegate patrons’ canine companions to outdoor areas. Earlier this year, however, Virginia Del. John Bell from Loudoun County sponsored a successful bill to change the policy.

Matt Rose, owner and brewmaster at Forge Brew Works, is particularly grateful for the change.

“I’ve always been a huge dog person,” said Rose, an owner of a miniature poodle and two standard poodles.

To celebrate the rule change, Forge will hold its first monthly “Hops & Hounds” Yappy Hour on Sunday, July 1 starting at noon. Designed to benefit animal rescue groups, the first “dog-encouraged event” will be co-hosted with Sighthound Underground (SHUG), a multibreed organization formed to rescue, rehabilitate, transport and support Sighthounds — such as greyhounds and whippets — around the world. A portion of Forge’s proceeds that day will be donated to the organization.

“Before the ban, we had done some events with SHUG and a couple other groups, and this seemed like a great way to start that all back up,” said Rose.