If you’ve visited our Origins taproom recently, chances are you’ve met Jabba—the basset hound

with the soulful eyes, and, as it turns out, a nose for great beer.

Jabba isn’t just here for belly rubs and dropped crumbs. When Head of Origins Brewing, Dan Wye, decided to push the boundaries of wild fermentation just a little further, he turned to his four-legged friend for inspiration—and selection.

The result? Cù (pronounced “Coo”)—a one-of-a-kind blend of three barrel-aged beers, each handpicked (or rather, nose-picked) by Jabba himself. Given six blind barrel samples to sniff, Jabba took his time, wandered a bit, then decisively chose his favourites—two saisons aged in red wine barrels (one from 2017, one from 2022), and a 2023 Bière de Garde aged in a sherry barrel.

(You can watch Jabba’s process here)

From there, Dan took over to craft a beautifully layered blend that reflects Jabba’s impeccable taste: floral aromas, touches of white wine and oak, delicate lavender on the palate, and a dry, lingering finish. A beer that’s complex, unexpected, and just a little bit cheeky—much like its co-creator.

Dan explains:

“Basset hounds are known for having an exceptional sense of smell—second only to bloodhounds, in fact. I thought, why not put Jabba’s skills to use? He’s a favourite with our team and our taproom visitors, so giving him a starring role in the blending process felt like a fun and fitting experiment. We’re always looking for creative ways to challenge ourselves, and this was definitely one of the more unusual ones.”

Cù is a testament to what Origins Brewing is all about—curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for the natural world. Whether that’s yeast in the air, character in the wood, or a dog with a serious talent for picking barrels.

This is a limited release, and like any good dog, it won’t hang around for long. Try it while you can—and raise a glass to Jabba while you’re at it.

Cù is available now at the Origins taproom and via our online shop.