Barking Cat Brewery borrows online funding idea to get its start

Barking Cat Brewing Co. is looking for a home and people to help it pay for the building once it finds it.

Owner and CEO Dan Baker says the hope is that the lure of a craft brewery in Allegan County and the promise that money donated to the company will ultimately benefit the animal welfare nonprofit SPCA of Southwest Michigan will provide incentive for people to give.

So far it’s working. The company reports $1,000 of the at least $20,000 it anticipates it needs to get up and running already has been pledged. Its website went up in time for the Michigan Hops Growers and Microbrewers symposium March 3 and donations started coming in.

Once Barking Cat opens and begins making money it will give to the SPCA the same amount of money that others donated to Barking Cat, repaying it all to the animal rescue within three to four years.

The business will follow the model of successful microbreweries across Michigan, beers in craft brews styles and good food. The food will complement the beer but the beer will be in the spotlight, Baker says. The microbrew will offer the traditional styles with some unique tasting spins.

Barking Cat’s menu will feature some healthy food from local sources whenever possible in addition to more expected pub fare. Perhaps equally important, is that customers will be able to learn from servers about the styles they are drinking.

Opening a microbrew is a new career for Baker, who spent 17 years, most of his work experience, as a high school teacher of language arts. He was on his way to a doctorate in education--he’s done everything but turn in the thesis--when he decided to try something entirely different. Attracted by the healthy profit margins realized by other microbrews across the state and a love for the beer he and his friends were making he decided to see what he could accomplish.

As has been the case with any number of microbrews, the dream came alive around the kitchen table with his beer brewing friends who ultimately decided they wanted to see if others liked their beers. Baker says it is that feeling that happens when friends sit around talking about beer and life that he wants people to experience when Barking Cat Brewing Co. opens its doors.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Dan Baker, Barking Cat Brewing Co.