About us

Jem, born in 2022, moved through a few homes before we found her. I was supposed to foster her, but it was love at first sight. She stared at me from the trunk on the way home, and I knew I had to convince my husband to keep her. Though she looks like a pit bull, Jem is mostly Beagle with some Dalmatian and Blue Heeler mixed in. She’s the sweetest, gentlest dog, quiet around people and dogs. Jem loves sitting by my side and claims any available couch.

Barley was brought to Hope For Life animal shelter from North Carolina, where he and his siblings would have been put down. We fostered Barley and his brother Mozzy (adopted by a friend) when they were just two weeks old in summer 2023. Barley often escaped, and Mozzy would yip to tattle on him. We took Barley in for a weekend, and he bonded well with Jem. After a couple of weeks with no adopters, we decided to keep him. Barley, a mix of pit bull, Boxer, and Bloodhound, is gentle, loving, and loves snuggling. He enjoys hanging out with Jem and me at breweries.

I’m Brenlee, a US Navy vet from Winnipeg (Canada), now in Hampton Roads. I love craft beer and have enjoyed local breweries for nearly a decade. I’ve brewed professionally, beer-tended at various events, and I am a proud home brewer. Recently, I achieved Cicerone certification and volunteer as a home brew judge. I also do graphic design, social media management, and love to create (fine art, crafts, and storytelling).