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Bike Dog Brewing Company, NorCal’s premier dog-friendly brewery

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Like the description to a boring Tinder profile, I like craft beer and I like hanging out with my dog.

I was thrilled when I heard about Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento, a brewery dedicated to dogs that was just a short drive from my Bay Area home.

But I had my doubts. My dog Martie, an extremely sweet but extremely high-strung 2-year-old shepherd mix, doesn’t always thrive in new environments.

Martie, posed with a hazy IPA outside Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento.

Gabe Lehman/SFGATE

Martie loves people and other dogs but thinks barking as loud as she can, jumping chest-high and trying to stick her tongue in a new friend’s mouth is the ideal way to say hello.

Needless to say, I’ve had to cut many an outing short because my dog was causing a scene. 

I wanted to see for myself if this supposedly dog-friendly brewery was a match for my adorable, but neurotic, puppy. Martie and I set out to see for ourselves.

‘The three things that are the greatest things in the world’

As we approached Sacramento, we were greeted by a massive mural of a farmer and his loyal retriever. The mural was created as a dedication to the area’s agricultural roots. It felt like a good omen. 

About a five-minute drive off Interstate 80, Bike Dog’s West Sacramento location is in an industrial part of the suburb, home to office parks and warehouses. The brewery itself is housed in a spacious taproom, complete with darts and mounted televisions, that opens onto a patio area next to the parking lot. 

Immediately upon entering the brewery, we were greeted by Bike Dog co-founder Sage Smith with a hazy IPA and a dog treat. We very much appreciated both goodies and were off to a strong start.

Bike Dog Brewing Company was founded in 2013 by Smith and three of his buddies. The four founders were all working in local government while homebrewing on the side. When they decided to try to make a profit from their hobby, they had time to brew only at night and on the weekend. Smith referred to the company in those days as a “nanobrewery” — too small to even qualify as a microbrewery. 



When it came to naming the company, the founders didn’t overthink it.

“We picked the three things that are the greatest things in the world: bikes, dogs and beer,” Smith said. 

A dog and a flight of beers inside Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento.

A dog and a flight of beers inside Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento.

YELP

True to its commitment to canines, the brewery hosts events like Yappy Hour, sponsored by the Sacramento SPCA, where 80-90 dogs come to mingle while their owners get to kick back with beers and snacks. Yappy Hour isn’t all fun and games, though. Free microchipping services are provided at the event courtesy of the SPCA, helping to ensure all dogs get home safely. 

Passionate about both aspects of its name, the brewery also sponsors local bike races and has partnered with Sacramento bike shop In Velo Veritas for a weekly ride series. 

“We try to encourage bike riding as much as possible. One, because it’s in our name, but also because we believe in doing other modes of transportation, especially if you’re going to be having some drinks,” Smith said.

Bikers should, of course, still watch how much they’re drinking before getting behind the handlebars. Biking under the influence is dangerous and can result in a DUI. 

A Giants connection

In 2021, Bike Dog moved into its current taproom in West Sacramento, which it shares with Baker Family Wines, the urban winery started by former San Francisco Giants manager, and recently crowned World Series champion, Dusty Baker.

Coincidentally, my interview with Smith took place at the exact same time that Baker’s Houston Astros competed in Game 2 of the World Series. Shots of Dusty in the dugout could be seen on the TVs mounted around the taproom. While Baker was obviously preoccupied at the time, Smith says they see the future Hall of Famer every other weekend during the MLB offseason.

Along with its location in West Sacramento, Bike Dog has a taproom in downtown Sacramento and distributes kegs and cans throughout the state. Bay Area locals can grab a pint at Two Pitchers in downtown Oakland, which usually has at least one Bike Dog offering on tap.

Beers with a side of community

Most of the beers I tried were fantastic, including the brewery’s biggest sellers: the Mosaic Pale Ale and the Dog Ears IPA. Beyond these requisite varieties, Bike Dog also offers sours and a Mexican-style lager; it’s even been known to keep kombucha on tap.

Martie, posed with a flight of beers outside Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento.

Martie, posed with a flight of beers outside Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento.

Gabe Lehman/SFGATE

I don’t usually love dark beer, but Bike Dog’s Milk Stout stood out during my visit. While nearly jet black in appearance, it didn’t have any of the aftertaste or heaviness that can sometimes come with darker beers. On the contrary, the stout was practically chuggable, and my fondness for it was no surprise to the beer’s maker. 

“It’s actually quite refreshing on a 100-degree day,” Smith said. “It’s a stout that you can drink whenever; you don’t have to chew on it. It’s got nice dark chocolate notes, some milk chocolate notes, a little bit of roasty-ness — but it’s almost like a cola in the way it drinks.”

Along with a love of bikes and dogs, a strong sense of community was another clear pillar of Bike Dog Brewing Company.

“The bar is like the main social kind of community-building element. We really like to focus on the bar aspects of the brewery,” said Smith, who estimates that he knows about 50% of folks who walk through the doors.

A flight of brews from Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento. 

A flight of brews from Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento. 

Image via Yelp user Caren C.

Shavon, a “beertender” at Bike Dog, took the sentiment one step further. 

“I see people here more than I see my own family,” Shavon said. “And I live with my family.”

So, just how dog-friendly is it?

During my evening at Bike Dog, I learned I wasn’t the only person who had come to check out the brewery because of its unique name. 

Lisa and Sam, a couple from nearby Plumas Lake, had been out all day pumpkin picking and were craving a beer to end the afternoon. They’d left their pooch Simba, an aging Chihuahua, at home during their outing, so they wanted to go somewhere that allowed dogs. 

When their research led them to Bike Dog, their decision was made.

“How could (they) not have allowed dogs? They’ve got to,” Sam said after coming across the brewery’s straightforward name.

No matter how dog-friendly an establishment is, new settings can be stressful for dogs, and Martie certainly seemed on edge when we first sat down. She also slipped out of her leash twice due to her excitement, although I’ll take the blame for that one. 

Once the crowd started to thin and distractions, such as my plate of ribs (purchased from one of 10 food trucks Bike Dog works with), were discarded, Martie relaxed and started to take advantage of her surroundings. 

A dog lies next to beer at Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento. 

A dog lies next to beer at Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento. 

Image via Yelp user Sal V.

She made fast friends with a local softball team celebrating its season and enjoyed saying “hi” to a group of older women who tried to guess her exact genetic makeup.

I didn’t have the heart to tell them that Martie probably has more feral street dog in her than Anatolian Shepherd.

One boon about taking your pup to a dog-themed taproom is that every other patron is probably a dog person too. If you have an extremely social dog like me, you can let your dog wander around to different tables without too much worry that anyone will mind a polite sniff or lick. 

Martie was well behaved and earned another treat as the afternoon ended and the sun began to set. On our way back to the Bay Area, we again passed the sign of a man with his golden retriever. I could relate even more to that special bond of a man and his best friend. 




Like the description to a boring Tinder profile, I like craft beer and I like hanging out with my dog.

I was thrilled when I heard about Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento, a brewery dedicated to dogs that was just a short drive from my Bay Area home.

But I had my doubts. My dog Martie, an extremely sweet but extremely high-strung 2-year-old shepherd mix, doesn’t always thrive in new environments.

Martie, posed with a hazy IPA outside Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento.

Martie, posed with a hazy IPA outside Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento.

Gabe Lehman/SFGATE

Martie loves people and other dogs but thinks barking as loud as she can, jumping chest-high and trying to stick her tongue in a new friend’s mouth is the ideal way to say hello.

Needless to say, I’ve had to cut many an outing short because my dog was causing a scene. 

I wanted to see for myself if this supposedly dog-friendly brewery was a match for my adorable, but neurotic, puppy. Martie and I set out to see for ourselves.

‘The three things that are the greatest things in the world’

As we approached Sacramento, we were greeted by a massive mural of a farmer and his loyal retriever. The mural was created as a dedication to the area’s agricultural roots. It felt like a good omen. 

About a five-minute drive off Interstate 80, Bike Dog’s West Sacramento location is in an industrial part of the suburb, home to office parks and warehouses. The brewery itself is housed in a spacious taproom, complete with darts and mounted televisions, that opens onto a patio area next to the parking lot. 

Immediately upon entering the brewery, we were greeted by Bike Dog co-founder Sage Smith with a hazy IPA and a dog treat. We very much appreciated both goodies and were off to a strong start.

Bike Dog Brewing Company was founded in 2013 by Smith and three of his buddies. The four founders were all working in local government while homebrewing on the side. When they decided to try to make a profit from their hobby, they had time to brew only at night and on the weekend. Smith referred to the company in those days as a “nanobrewery” — too small to even qualify as a microbrewery. 



When it came to naming the company, the founders didn’t overthink it.

“We picked the three things that are the greatest things in the world: bikes, dogs and beer,” Smith said. 

A dog and a flight of beers inside Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento.

A dog and a flight of beers inside Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento.

YELP

True to its commitment to canines, the brewery hosts events like Yappy Hour, sponsored by the Sacramento SPCA, where 80-90 dogs come to mingle while their owners get to kick back with beers and snacks. Yappy Hour isn’t all fun and games, though. Free microchipping services are provided at the event courtesy of the SPCA, helping to ensure all dogs get home safely. 

Passionate about both aspects of its name, the brewery also sponsors local bike races and has partnered with Sacramento bike shop In Velo Veritas for a weekly ride series. 

“We try to encourage bike riding as much as possible. One, because it’s in our name, but also because we believe in doing other modes of transportation, especially if you’re going to be having some drinks,” Smith said.

Bikers should, of course, still watch how much they’re drinking before getting behind the handlebars. Biking under the influence is dangerous and can result in a DUI. 

A Giants connection

In 2021, Bike Dog moved into its current taproom in West Sacramento, which it shares with Baker Family Wines, the urban winery started by former San Francisco Giants manager, and recently crowned World Series champion, Dusty Baker.

Coincidentally, my interview with Smith took place at the exact same time that Baker’s Houston Astros competed in Game 2 of the World Series. Shots of Dusty in the dugout could be seen on the TVs mounted around the taproom. While Baker was obviously preoccupied at the time, Smith says they see the future Hall of Famer every other weekend during the MLB offseason.

Along with its location in West Sacramento, Bike Dog has a taproom in downtown Sacramento and distributes kegs and cans throughout the state. Bay Area locals can grab a pint at Two Pitchers in downtown Oakland, which usually has at least one Bike Dog offering on tap.

Beers with a side of community

Most of the beers I tried were fantastic, including the brewery’s biggest sellers: the Mosaic Pale Ale and the Dog Ears IPA. Beyond these requisite varieties, Bike Dog also offers sours and a Mexican-style lager; it’s even been known to keep kombucha on tap.

Martie, posed with a flight of beers outside Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento.

Martie, posed with a flight of beers outside Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento.

Gabe Lehman/SFGATE

I don’t usually love dark beer, but Bike Dog’s Milk Stout stood out during my visit. While nearly jet black in appearance, it didn’t have any of the aftertaste or heaviness that can sometimes come with darker beers. On the contrary, the stout was practically chuggable, and my fondness for it was no surprise to the beer’s maker. 

“It’s actually quite refreshing on a 100-degree day,” Smith said. “It’s a stout that you can drink whenever; you don’t have to chew on it. It’s got nice dark chocolate notes, some milk chocolate notes, a little bit of roasty-ness — but it’s almost like a cola in the way it drinks.”

Along with a love of bikes and dogs, a strong sense of community was another clear pillar of Bike Dog Brewing Company.

“The bar is like the main social kind of community-building element. We really like to focus on the bar aspects of the brewery,” said Smith, who estimates that he knows about 50% of folks who walk through the doors.

A flight of brews from Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento. 

A flight of brews from Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento. 

Image via Yelp user Caren C.

Shavon, a “beertender” at Bike Dog, took the sentiment one step further. 

“I see people here more than I see my own family,” Shavon said. “And I live with my family.”

So, just how dog-friendly is it?

During my evening at Bike Dog, I learned I wasn’t the only person who had come to check out the brewery because of its unique name. 

Lisa and Sam, a couple from nearby Plumas Lake, had been out all day pumpkin picking and were craving a beer to end the afternoon. They’d left their pooch Simba, an aging Chihuahua, at home during their outing, so they wanted to go somewhere that allowed dogs. 

When their research led them to Bike Dog, their decision was made.

“How could (they) not have allowed dogs? They’ve got to,” Sam said after coming across the brewery’s straightforward name.

No matter how dog-friendly an establishment is, new settings can be stressful for dogs, and Martie certainly seemed on edge when we first sat down. She also slipped out of her leash twice due to her excitement, although I’ll take the blame for that one. 

Once the crowd started to thin and distractions, such as my plate of ribs (purchased from one of 10 food trucks Bike Dog works with), were discarded, Martie relaxed and started to take advantage of her surroundings. 

A dog lies next to beer at Bike Dog Brewing Company's taproom in West Sacramento. 

A dog lies next to beer at Bike Dog Brewing Company’s taproom in West Sacramento. 

Image via Yelp user Sal V.

She made fast friends with a local softball team celebrating its season and enjoyed saying “hi” to a group of older women who tried to guess her exact genetic makeup.

I didn’t have the heart to tell them that Martie probably has more feral street dog in her than Anatolian Shepherd.

One boon about taking your pup to a dog-themed taproom is that every other patron is probably a dog person too. If you have an extremely social dog like me, you can let your dog wander around to different tables without too much worry that anyone will mind a polite sniff or lick. 

Martie was well behaved and earned another treat as the afternoon ended and the sun began to set. On our way back to the Bay Area, we again passed the sign of a man with his golden retriever. I could relate even more to that special bond of a man and his best friend. 



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