Top 10 dog-themed drinks for Chinese New Year

Dog Point Pinot Noir

Dog Point Vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand, is named in honour of the sheep dogs that used to prowl the area when sheep were introduced to the district during the earliest European settlement of Marlborough.  The hounds lived in a pack on the tussock and scrub covered southern hills of Dog Point Vineyard.

Scallywag Whisky

Scallywag whisky is inspired by a long line of Fox Terriers in the Douglas Laing distilling family. The malt is made from Speyside whiskies, including Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes. Many of the whiskies used in the small batch release come from Spanish Sherry butts, giving the whisky its inherent sweetness.

Wimbledon Brewery beer at Margot

Italian restaurant Margot in Covent Garden is named after co-owner Paulo de Tarso’s diminutive mother-in-law. Margot’s husband, Hans Joachim Hamann, was six foot four, and referred to her affectionately as his ‘dackel’ (dachshund) given their considerable height difference. The restaurant’s own beer, a golden Helles-style beer brewed with a blend of German hop varieties by Wimbledon Brewery, boasts an adorable gold dachshund on its label.

Bulldog Gin

Bulldog was launched in America in 2007 by entrepreneur and ex-investment banker Antihuman Zohra and quickly built a name for its distinctive black studded bottle and quirky botanicals like dragon eye, lotus leaf and poppy. Based on a blend of 12 botanicals from eight countries, the gin is quadruple distilled in traditional copper pot stills in England. The citrus base gives Bulldog a distinct floral freshness that belies its packaging. The brand was sold to Gruppo Campari last year for £46.8m.

Flying Dog beer

Maryland’s Flying Dog brewery was founded by astrophysicist George Stranahan in 1990, and its first beers were released in 1994. Its distinctive labels are designed by British artist Ralph Steadman, who is best-known for illustrating the madcap works of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who lived down the road from the brewery. When Thompson committed suicide in 2005, Gonzo Imperial Porter was released as a tribute.

Lone Wolf Gin

Not content with only shaking up the beer world, the crazy punks at BrewDog launched a spirits arm called Lone Wolf last year and from the start has been keen to stand out from the spirits pack. It makes its gin and vodka in Scotland from its own base alcohol. Innovations include a gunpowder gin and barrel-aged vodka.

Copper Dog Whisky

Blended Scotch whisky Copper Dog is named after a little piece of kit used once upon a time by distillery workers to sneak whisky home. Eight different whiskies from Speyside were married together to create this smooth, balanced blend designed to be enjoyed in cocktails and mixed drinks.

Albury Vineyard Attila’s Bite

This fragrant eau de vie de vin is named after Attila, a Parson Russell Terrier who prowls Albury Vineyard in the Surrey Hills chasing away pheasants and other unwanted visitors. The spirit was distilled by neighbouring Silent Pool Distillery from Seyval grapes and boasts favours of pear, grape and a hint of almond.

Longue-Dog Grenache Syrah 

What better way to ring in the Year of the Dog than with a juicy Grenache/Syrah blend from the Languedoc? The tongue-in-cheek southern French wines are the creation of winemakers Samantha and Eric, who were keen to make easy drinking wines oozing with French character that are fun and accessible.

Chalky’s Bite beer

Rick Stein’s beloved terrirer Chalky is the inspiration behind this ale from Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall and was created in collaboration with the chef. Matured for three months for a high level of carbonation, the beer boats a delicate herbal flavour.

BrewDog Punk IPA

And finally… no round up of dog-themed drinks would be complete without the inclusion of BrewDog. The irreverent Scottish brewer boasts a broad range of beers, including its popular Punk IPA. The anti-establishment craft brewer, founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, has bars in Clerkenwell, Soho and Shoreditch.