NORTH CAROLINA — For many craft beer aficionados, bringing your pup to the local brewery is an important part of the experience. Come Labor Day weekend, they’ll have a reason to celebrate.
Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 290 into law on Monday, which will allow pets inside breweries that don’t prepare and serve food.
Before the bill was passed, state food code – which currently prohibits animals from entering the premises of a food establishment – didn’t differentiate between breweries’ taprooms and restaurants, even if those taprooms didn’t serve food.
The bill now defines a brewery as an establishment “not engaged in the preparation of food on the premises.” It further clarifies that, for the purpose of this subdivision, “the term ‘food’ does not include beverages.”
The bill will go into effect on September 1, the Sunday before Labor Day.
Mark Mueller, operating partner and brand manager at Waterline Brewing Company, said dogs have been allowed inside the taproom since the brewery opened in 2015. But he’s excited about the new bill.
“This will allow us to more openly advertise and promote pups in the taproom without fear of random enforcement,” Mueller said.
Officials from New Hanover County’s environmental health division visit breweries once a year in addition to any follow-ups to complaints received, according to Kate Oelslager, a spokesperson for the county.
“To this point, if we inspect a brewery and a dog is found inside, they are cited and the appropriate point amount is pulled from their overall score,” Oelslager said.
She said the county’s health department will receive the rule change from the state health department before it goes into effect September 1.
“Starting then, if there’s a dog, we will no longer issue a citation,” Oelslager said.
Although dogs are allowed on outside patios, under the current sanitation rules, only service dogs can go inside any establishment that serves drinks in glasses that are washed and reused. Breweries like Wilmington Brewing Company and Broomtail Craft Brewery have served their beers in plastic cups to avoid the regulation.
“I think it’s awesome to have an open and friendly environment for all breweries that choose to welcome pets,” Wilmington Brewing Company co-owner Michelle Savard said. “We are currently under renovations, and building an event venue next door that will have glassware, so the option to make our new space pet-friendly as well would be great.”
“We are and always have been dog-friendly; that’s actually the main reason we use plastic [cups],” Broomtail Craft Brewery co-owner Lisa Owings said.
The main purpose of Senate Bill 290 is to expand the rights of distilleries in the state, allowing them to sell malt beverages, wine, and mixed beverages in their tasting rooms. It also frees up restrictions on shipments to ABC stores throughout the state.
Mark Darrough can be reached at Mark@Localvoicemedia.com or (970) 413-3815
