August 5, 2021 – National Work Like A Dog Day | National IPA Day

Welcome to August 5th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate dogs and beers that go the distance. Before snowmobiles and airplanes, the best way to get around in snow country was via dog sled. This method of transportation is rare today, but once a year in Alaska, racers and their teams of dogs keep the tradition alive with a race called the Iditarod. Sleds travel from Anchorage to Nome, a journey of nearly 1,000 miles! It takes the team of 16 dogs at least a week to complete this distance. This not only commemorates the role that dogs played in the settlement of Alaska, it defines the saying “work like a dog.” On National Work Like a Dog Day, you may wanna let your pooch curl up on the couch while you do the heavy lifting. In the late 1700s, the British Empire spanned the globe, and one of its largest colonies was India. The Brits living there demanded goods from back home which created a significant trade route between the two countries. One of the most popular imports was beer, which didn’t age well when it was shipped to warmer climates. George Hodgson of the Bow Brewery came up with a solution. He brewed a lighter beer, called pale ale, then increased the amount of alcohol and hops in order to prevent spoilage. The downside was that the hops would lose their fruity flavor and produce a bitter taste. And so India Pale Ale was born. Some say this drink is an acquired taste, but on National IPA Day we celebrate beer that really went the distance. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices