About Brewhaus dog bones
Different is delicious
We make dog treats from brewery grains. We hire individuals with disabilities. And we think that’s pretty great.
It Started With a Brewery Tour
November 2013. San Diego. Lisa Graham was on vacation with her family, visiting breweries with her daughter Natalie.
Natalie has a rare chromosomal condition. She was a senior in high school at the time, and Lisa kept thinking about what would come next. What kind of work could Natalie do after graduation? What would give her purpose and independence?
At Coronado Brewing Company, Lisa noticed something in the retail area: dog treats made from spent brewing grains. The light went on.
Cincinnati had dozens of craft breweries. Nobody was making dog treats from their leftover grain. And Lisa had a daughter who loved to bake, a family full of dog lovers, and years of experience as a social worker helping people with disabilities.
She spent the next year researching, experimenting in her home kitchen, and talking to brewers. In July 2014, she filed the nonprofit paperwork. By October, Brewhaus Dog Bones launched with one partner: Listermann Brewing Company.
Our Impact
"My three dogs were happy taste testers. And my daughter? She gets so excited when she sees her name on the bags."
Lisa Graham
Founder
What we believe?
Everyone has something to contribute.
Individuals with disabilities are often steered toward the same handful of jobs: stocking shelves, janitorial work, bagging groceries.
These jobs are fine. But they’re not the only option. Our bakers run a real business. They forecast demand, coordinate with breweries, manage production, handle sales, do deliveries, and make bank deposits. They build skills that transfer anywhere.
Different is good.
Our treats are a little different. So are our bakers. We think that’s worth celebrating. When you buy Brewhaus, you’re not doing charity. You’re buying a quality product made by people who take pride in their work.
Waste is an opportunity.
Breweries produce thousands of pounds of spent grain every week. Most of it ends up as animal feed or compost. We turn it into something dogs love.
The grains keep 80% of their nutritional value after brewing. High in protein, high in fiber, and completely safe for your dog. It’s malted barley; no corn, no wheat.
Local matters.
We pick up grains fresh on brew days from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky breweries. Our eggs are fresh from farms in New Richmond and Felicity Ohio.
Our bakers are your neighbors and students from local schools. When you support Brewhaus, you support this community.
Meet Lisa Graham
Lisa grew up on a farm in Southern Indiana, near Louisville. She first studied biology, then later became a social worker, and spent years in hospitals helping people navigate the healthcare system.
When she’s not at the bakery, you’ll find her on her 22 acre farm in New Richmond with her husband, three dogs, two cats, two horses and three donkeys. She loves biking, running with a good playlist, and watching nature unfold outside her window.
Her title is “Chief Baking Officer,” but she’ll tell you the real title is “mom who wanted to build something for her daughter and found a whole community along the way.”
Meet Natalie
Natalie has a rare chromosomal translocation called an unbalanced translocation. She deferred her high school diploma until age 22 to participate in transition services that build life and work skills.
She loves to bake. She loves the feeling of making something people want to buy. And she’s proud to be part of the Brew Crew.
“You can tell when she’s really happy. And she’s really happy in this kitchen.”
The Brew Crew
Our bakers are individuals with disabilities, typically ages 18 to 30. Some are enrolled in school district transition programs, building skills before they enter the workforce. Some have graduated and work with us in paid positions at our bakery.
They’re not here to watch. They run the show.
Alex
Kitchen Manager
Claudia
Baker
Claire
Baker
Eric P.
Baker
Eric R.
Baker
Natalie
Baker
Robbie
Baker
Whitney
Baker
Cheryl
Kitchen Manager
Lisa
Kitchen Manager
Tina
Kitchen Manager
Suzi
Kitchen Manager
What our bakers do:
- Coordinate grain pickup with brewery partners
- Mix ingredients and shape treats both by hand and with our machine extruder
- Monitor baking times and quality
- Weigh, package, and label finished products
- Process and fulfill orders
- Sell at community events and farmers markets
- Count money and make bank deposits
- Deliver to retail locations
What they learn:
- Math through measuring, weighing, and calculating
- Communication through customer and partner interactions
- Teamwork through production schedules
- Food safety and hygiene standards
- Confidence through ownership of their work
How We Got Here
2013
Lisa spots craft beer dog treats at Coronado Brewing in San Diego. The idea takes root.
2014
Brewhaus Dog Bones officially launches with Listermann Brewing as our first partner. We start baking in the New Richmond School kitchen.
2016
We expand to 11 brewery partners and a dozen school programs. A grant from Braxton Brewing helps us rent space at Findlay Kitchen.
2017
Graeter's Ice Cream starts carrying our treats at all 50+ locations. We add Wooden Cask, Municipal Brew Works, and Nine Giant to our brewery roster.
2018
We open our first brick and mortar bakery in Madeira. The space lets us host tours, sell directly to customers, & expand our adult employment program.
2019
We reach 20+ school district partners and begin private label production for national brands like Lagunitas, Great Lakes Brewing, and Cigar City.
2023
We move to our own facility in Mt. Washington. 250+ student bakers trained. 30+ partners. And we're just getting started.
2026
We just started working with MadTree Brewery and offering subscription! More to come!
Our School Partners
We partner with transition programs across Greater Cincinnati. These programs serve students ages 18 to 22 who have deferred their high school diploma to focus on life and work skills.
Each school runs the program differently based on their students’ needs. Some bake in their own kitchens. Others visit our bakery. All of them learn the full process from start to finish.
Participating Districts:
Bethel-Tate Schools
Cincinnati Center For Autism
Mason City Schools
Diamond Oaks Career Campus – CareerX
Clermont County Educational Service Center: STAR & REAL Classes
Milford Schools
Live Oaks Career Campus – CareerX
Forest Hills School District
Oak Hills Local School District
Hamilton High School
Heidt Center Of Excellence
Sycamore High School
"Students who complete the program show increased teamwork, communication, confidence, and the ability to take ownership of their work. The skills they acquire transfer to other job settings."
Hamilton High School Transition Team
Are you wanting to bring your students to the bakery to experience for job training? Contact Lisa to learn more.
Guided by Experts
Every recipe is reviewed by veterinary professionals to make sure our treats are safe and healthy for dogs of all sizes and ages.
Dr. Jenny Bard
Family Animal Hospital, Batavia
Dr. Alfred DuBois
Family Animal Hospital, Batavia
