No dogs allowed: Council bans pooches from Brisbane brewery

A popular brewery has been forced to put a temporary ban on having dogs in their venue after a complaint was made to Brisbane City Council. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Archer Brewing at Wilston.

A popular inner-Brisbane brewery has been forced to put a temporary ban on having dogs in their venue after a complaint was made to Brisbane City Council.

It is believed the complaint relates to dogs being inside, or close to, areas where food is handled. Queensland’s Food Act 2006 does not permit animals in areas where food is handled.

Archer Brewing at Wilston, which opened in February, is in a converted WWII aircraft hangar, to go with its aeroplane logo, and the bar inside is made from the last Ansett 727 plane.

The business broke the news to customers through Instagram on Thursday morning.

The news is particularly disappointing because the venue’s namesake is a dog called Archer who is a regular fixture there and has been immortalised in a painting hung inside.

The brewery’s namesake – Archer the dog. Photo: Instagram.

“This isn’t the kind of post we wanted to ever have to write. Due to a complaint made to the Brisbane City Council we are unable to have dogs at the venue,” the business wrote.

“To say we are devastated is an understatement, especially as we’ve been raising money for the Animal Welfare League Queensland with our Dog Beer.

“Our namesake, Archer, is obviously a regular fixture in the venue, and loves meeting all the other dogs in the area who join their owners for a pint.

“We have already begun the process to deal with this complaint and can hopefully welcome our four-legged patrons back as soon as possible.

“We’re so sorry for the disruption this causes anyone, if it was up to us, obviously this wouldn’t be happening.

“We’ll fight the good fight however, and get our favourite furry customers back.”

Civic Cabinet Chair for City Standards Councillor Kim Marx said council is working with Archer Brewing so they can welcome back four-legged friends as soon as possible.

“The brewery’s innovative fund raising for animal causes through their Dog Beer is a really fantastic initiative which I’d like to see continue,” she said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, State and Federal food laws restrict where animals can go within food businesses, but we’ll work with Archer Brewing to establish areas at the venue where dogs can go and have a brew.”

In barely two hours, Archer Brewing’s post had attracted 60 comments, mostly from customers and fellow business owners who couldn’t believe the news.

“Remove the complainers, not the doggos,” one comment read.

“People who complain about dogs don’t deserve good beer,” another said.

“Go to Paris and see dogs allowed anywhere, including restaurants,” a further comment said.

“Maybe an option/compromise would be to have a small area maybe that is dog free. I am a dog owner myself so personally love all the dogs and pats,” another comment read.

“Good luck guys. If people want a dog-free venue then go somewhere else and don’t complain … why is this country not moving with the times? Some dogs are better behaved than humans,” fellow Brisbane distillery Winston Quinn Gin wrote on the post.

Archer Brewing declined to comment further.