'Shout your best friend a beer'

Sydney, May 21: Now even dogs have reason to do a hic with a no alcohol beer specially brewed for them. Having seen her two dogs leaping for drops of beer, Sydney pet supplies store owner Elise Schumacher decided to invent Dog Beer which is just like real beer but sans alcohol.

''It's DB, just like VB, and the slogan is, 'Shout your best friend a beer','' Ms Schumacher said. Dogs really love human beer but it's bad for them. The hops in beer can cause dogs to have seizures while the carbon can lead some to die. The canine-friendly beer tastes like beef and smells like beer, Ms Schumacher said. While unlikely to be served on tap at the pub, some dog-friendly cafes are stocking the brand. ''It is popular with male customers,'' she said, adding that summer barbecues prompted more sales. ''People pick up a few bottles for the dogs.'' And the most bubbly part about the drink is that customers don't have to be over 18 to drink it.

UNI