TITO’S VODKA HAS GONE TO THE DOGS: A Love Story

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TITO'S VODKA

By Michelle Stone

On the surface, vodka and dogs might seem like an unlikely pairing. Vodka is a distilled alcoholic beverage celebrated for its purity, versatility, and ability to be mixed with a variety of flavors. Dogs, often referred to as man’s best friend, are celebrated for their loyalty, intelligence, and ability to form strong bonds with humans. Both have their merits. Both bring joy to the people who love them. But how often does one really follow the other? For the staff at Tito’s, the answer is invariably always, every time. Their passion for handmade vodka is comparable only to their love of dogs.

Tito’s “Vodka for Dog People” program combines a devotion to carefully handcrafted vodka with adoration for our canine companions. From the time when Bert “Tito” Beveridge brought his dog DogJo to the distillery, to the stray dogs showing up for a scrap of food and the rescue of over 130 distillery dogs, Tito’s history has been intertwined with man’s best friend. Today, they support animal-focused nonprofits worldwide in an effort to better the lives of pets and their families and celebrate the special bond that exists between dogs and their humans. Making companion animal lives better has become a touchstone of Tito’s culture.

“From the first distillery dogs that would eventually become family, to the many dogs that frequent our offices now, dogs have always been an important part of who we are at Tito’s Handmade Vodka,” said Beth Bellanti Pander, program manager for Vodka for Dog People. “We think they make life better, and we try to do the same for them—from our support of yappy hours and dog-friendly events to joining forces with animal-focused nonprofits across the country.” The Tito’s team has long been encouraged to support efforts and organizations that inspire them through the “Love, Tito’s” movement that began as a salutation to a note of thanks for an invitation to lend a helping hand to a good cause. The good folks at Tito’s support thousands of causes that rebuild communities, protect the environment, and spread goodwill around the world.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has been produced in Austin since 1995 when Beveridge obtained the first legal permit to distill at Texas’s now-oldest legal distillery. They batch-distill their naturally gluten-free, corn-based vodka in old-fashioned pot stills using a process similar to making fine single malt scotches and high-end French cognacs. Every batch is taste-tested to be sure it meets the high standard of a vodka “so smooth you could drink it straight.”

In the “drink it straight” spirit of dogs, vodka, and goodwill, grab some Tito’s and your favorite canine pal and enjoy some quality time together in your favorite spot, be it a shaded patio, backyard hammock, or the living room couch. Just remember, only one of you gets the vodka, but everyone gets the goodwill.