(Courtesy BrewDog)

August 26 is National Dog Day, and few industries have embraced man’s best friend quite like craft beer.

Whether raising money for animal shelters, honoring a beloved brewery mascot or just putting a ridiculous canine pun on a beer label, craft breweries have long had a thing for dogs.

And over the years, that relationship has produced some truly great beer names.

The Legendary Classics

Old Brown Dog Ale (Smuttynose Brewing Co.): Named after a real-life Weimaraner/Brittany Spaniel mix named Olive, this American brown ale is an enduring staple of the craft beer landscape.

Gonzo Imperial Porter (Flying Dog Brewery): A heavy-hitting beer decorated with surrealistic pooch art by Ralph Steadman. It is a direct nod to “Gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who was close friends with the brewery’s founder.

Road Dog Porter (Flying Dog Brewery): Another legendary classic blessed by Hunter S. Thompson himself, who even penned an essay for it titled “Ale According to Hunter”.

Old Leghumper (Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.): A robust, chocolatey porter with a cheeky, humorous name that perfectly matches the brewery’s extensive canine aesthetic.

Alpha Dog Double Red (Big Dog’s Brewing Company): A bold, aggressive imperial red ale from a Las Vegas brewery that proudly displays a black Labrador Retriever as its logo.

Punny & Playful

Tailwagger Wheat (Big Dog’s Brewing Company): A refreshing American wheat ale with a lighthearted name celebrating a happy pup’s favorite motion. [1]

DogZilla Black IPA (Laughing Dog Brewing): A massive, dark, and hoppy brew whose name cleverly blends a giant movie monster with man’s best friend. []

Leglifter Light (Big Dog’s Brewing Company): A crisp, easy-drinking light ale named after a classic, unavoidable dog behavior.

Tail Chaser American IPA (Sleepy Dog Brewery): Named after a dog’s most dizzying pastime, this bright IPA fits right into Sleepy Dog’s canine-packed tap list. []

Red Hydrant Ale (Big Dog’s Brewing Company): A multi-award-winning English brown ale that makes a brilliant visual pun linking amber-red malt tones to a dog’s favorite sidewalk landmark.

Sweet & Heartwarming

The Bestest Boy (Dog’s Window Brewery): A traditional English Best Bitter named with the highest praise any good dog could ever receive.

It Was The Dog (Dog’s Window Brewery): A juicy, hazy New England IPA whose name serves as the ultimate playful excuse for any mysterious household mishaps.

Wet Snout Milk Stout (Sleepy Dog Brewery): A smooth, sweet milk stout that evokes the cold, gentle nudge of a waking pup.

Cold Nose Winter Ale (Laughing Dog Brewing): A spiced, warming seasonal release designed specifically for those chilly months when your dog’s nose feels colder than usual.

Three Legged Lab (Karbach Brewing Co.): A beloved, classic Texas craft beer that paid tribute to resilient, happy rescue dogs everywhere.

Fierce & Faithful

Siberian Night (Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.): A multi-award-winning Imperial Stout that brings to mind a majestic sled dog navigating a cold northern evening.

Watch Dog Wit (Big Dog’s Brewing Company): A bright, Belgian-style Witbier brewed to honor the faithful protectors that guard our homes and yards.

Devil Dog Imperial IPA (Laughing Dog Brewing): A high-ABV, fiercely hopped beer named after the fierce U.S. Marine Corps nickname, which features a snarling bulldog mascot.

War Dog Imperial IPA (Big Dog’s Brewing Company): A powerful imperial IPA released explicitly as a “salute” to honor courageous military working dogs.

Kosmonaut Imperial Stout (Lake Bluff Brewing Co.): A rich, cosmic stout featuring beautiful label artwork paying tribute to Laika, the heroic stray pup who became the first dog in space.

Some of these beers are still around.

Others have disappeared along with the breweries that made them.

But together they are yet another reminder that dogs, like music, are part of American craft beer’s DNA.