Pet-friendly Archer Brewing that brewed own ‘dog beer’ campaigns to change laws banning pets from pubs

Stuart Martin was running a dog-friendly pub that sold “dog beers” on tap in Brisbane until a customer dobbed him into council for breaking Australia's food safety rules.

In November last year, Mr Martin was forced to ban dogs in his pub, Archer Brewing, after a single complaint was made to Brisbane City Council about pets inside the venue.

Under Australian law, pets are not allowed in food venues unless they have outdoor dining or if the pet is a service animal.

The brewer was even forced to ban his own brown border collie, Archer, who the pub was named after.

The Scotsman said it was rare to find a pub that did not have a dog or two curled up at the bar back in his home country.

Mr Martin said he had purposefully chosen to establish the pet-friendly pub Archer Brewing along a popular dog-walking route next to Enoggera Creek.

He also brewed a popular “dog beer” out of carbonated chicken stock as a treat for any pets that accompanied their owners to the venue.

“Everyone knew us as the place where you could walk down and have a beer with your dog,” he said.

Calls to change the national food standards

Mr Martin is campaigning to change the national Food Standards Code to give venues the option to allow pets indoors.

His petition has received more than 10,800 signatures.

In response, Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has written to Federal Health Minister Mark Butler requesting a “timely review” of the code.

The code banning dogs from these venues has remained largely unchanged since August 2000.

ABC Radio Brisbane asked Mr Butler if he was open to the idea of introducing exemptions for dogs in indoor food venues, but he did not respond.

However, Population Health Division acting assistant secretary Stacey Andrews said it was a matter for Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).

“Reviews of the code are the responsibility of FSANZ,” Ms Andrews said.

“Any request to change this standard, or any part of the code, would require an application to be submitted to FSANZ for assessment.”

In a statement, a FSANZ spokesperson said its code must consider the needs of food businesses, regulators and the public.

“Any changes to the code need to be assessed by FSANZ using current data and scientific evidence,” the spokesperson said.

“The evidence must show proposed changes will protect public health and safety to an equivalent (or improved) level to existing requirements.”

Similar challenges for other venues

Kylie Loch used to allow birds, chickens, and dogs inside her Brisbane cafe Little Genovese until she too was dobbed into council by a customer.

A sign out the front now informs customers that dogs must wait outside while their owner orders a coffee. 

The cafe still has dog treats, but staff are no longer allowed to pat dogs.

Ms Loch said she used to only allow clean, well-behaved pets inside and always made sure all staff washed their hands after petting dogs.

The barista said in her view the laws were too rigid and uncompromising, leaving little room for cafe owners to exercise common sense.

“I don't know what the answer is — I'm not in politics thank god — but let's be sensible about the approach we take.”