Southport Magazine

Blake Conklin is a contributor to Southport Magazine and owner of Shagger Jacks in Oak Island with his wife, Robin, and their spaniel, Ranger. Courtesy photo

Blake’s love for beer and Robin’s love for dogs is apparent at Shagger Jacks, where dogs are welcome on the outside deck and have the opportunity to order Bowser Beer.

Now dogs can pop two flavors of brew with their owners: Beefy Brown Ale or Cock-a-Doodle Brew. From the company 3 Busy Dogs, both are made with USDA chicken or beef, malt barley, and glucosamine. There are no hops or alcohols, which are harmful to pets. Bowser Beer is a fun, healthy thirst-quencher for dogs. Spring is coming—sooner than one might think—and dogs will need more hydration. Served over ice, it is the perfect treat for your dog after a walk on the beach! You can also mix it with dry food for a tasty meal-topper.

Their dog, Ranger, is quite fond of the beef flavor, especially with complimentary dog biscuits floating on top. Your dog already loves you unconditionally, so why not treat him to a cold one.

Just as the seasons change, so too do beer tastes. The idea of brewing beers to match the seasons dates back for centuries. Early brewers made refreshing lighter beers in the summer and heartier beers for sustenance in the winter. They also used the ingredients at hand to enhance their brews from fruits to herbs and spices.

Shagger Jacks offers over 50 flavors of beer and will re-open for the season in med-February. While your best friend is drinking a Bowser beer over the holidays, Blake suggests the following seasonal beers and food pairings:

Sweet Josie Brown Ale
Lonerider Brewing Company
Raleigh, North Carolina
ABV: 6.1%
As Lonerider says, “Sweet Josie is a temptress who will seduce you.” This is a well-crafted American brown ale—a complex beer which gently balances bitter hops with chocolate and aromatic malts. Sweet Josie is relatively easy to drink and enjoyable. The flavors of this beer are light and would pair well with lots of different styles of foods, such as a grilled rib eye.

Sam Adams Winter Lager
The Boston Beer Company
Boston, Massachusetts
Style: Bock
ABV: 5.6% • IBUs: 22
Sam Adams is renowned for its mastery of seasonal brews. Their autumn Octoberfest has really developed into a fall favorite for many folks. Likewise the Winter Lager, a dark wheat bock, is now a classic seasonal since its inception in 1989. Sam Adams uses cinnamon and ginger in the brewing process to warm up the flavor, and adds a citrus aroma with a bit of orange peel. Complement the heat and spice of Shagger Jacks’ Fire Cracker Shrimp or Baja Fish Taco with a malty and spice-laden Winter Lager. It also pairs well with spicy Asian flavors, particularly Thai.

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Breckenridge Brewery
Denver, Colorado
Style: Ale
ABV: 4.7% • IBUs: 16
Breckenridge Brewery combines sultry chocolate and roasted nut, quintessential flavors for a porter, in this ale. This beer is more than just an after-dinner drink: Despite its hint of vanilla in the finish, it’s a truly well-rounded brew. The Vanilla Porter will pair well with fried oysters, as well as the delicate sweetness and caramel of Shagger Jacks’ grilled-seared scallops.