Craft hard cider is taking the beverage world by storm. Sharing a pint of cider while hanging out with your furry Fido friends? Heaven.

That’s just what the Animal Welfare League of Arlington has in mind with a new fundraiser, hosted by Alexandria’s Lost Boy Cider. Taking place on Oct. 29, “Sit, Stay, Cider” is the first pairing between the shelter and the cidery and one of the shelter’s newest ticket-limited events. Both dogs and humans are welcome at the cidery for a tasting, costume contest, tours and more.

“This is a new fundraiser for AWLA; we’re trying to host some more medium-sized events in lots of different venues,” said AWLA communications specialist Chelsea Jones.

And unlike some of AWLA’s other more “free-for-all” events, the ticket quantity to this event is capped. Only 65 regular tickets and 16 VIP tickets are available for the event, ensuring a more intimate crowd (and more space for the pups). Regular tickets include a pass for a pint of Lost Boy’s flagship cider; VIP tickets include a tour, early admission and a pint of one of the cidery’s specialty drinks.

“We’re super-excited to work with [Lost Boy],” Jones said. “Their space is dog-friendly, so people can bring their dogs to the event, which is great.”

While guests sip on cider, they (or their pooches) can also participate in a doggy costume contest. Once solely the domain of the pups in question, many humans have begun to coordinate costumes with their pets to create a more “dynamic duo” affect. Both dog-only and pairs entries are accepted, Jones said.

“A lot of our supporters are really into this and they dress up with them,” she said.

The funds raised from the Lost Boy event will go into AWLA’s general fund, Jones said: “That means the money can be used to wherever it’s needed the most.”

Such needs include caring for animals who enter shelter care with extensive medical needs, including heartworm treatment and emergency surgeries. Spay-neuter surgeries and adoption services are also funded from the general account.

“It enables us to do those above-and-beyond things we do here,” Jones said.

One hundred percent of ticket sales go to AWLA, and Lost Boy is also earmarking 10% of to-go sales that evening for the shelter.

Along with the costume contest, cider tasting and tours, food trucks will be on hand to offer up meals and a live musician will take the stage to round out the event. All of the above, paired with the AWLA’s mission at hand, is sure to yield a fun night, Jones said.

“Just hanging out and knowing that by coming to this fun party, you are helping us to save more animals!” she laughed. “What could be better?”

IF YOU GO

Sit, Stay, Cider event at Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Drive, Alexandria

When: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6:30-9 p.m.

Tickets: $45 for “Cider Sipper” ticket; $75 for “Cider VIP” ticket.

How to register: Visit the AWLA’s event website at https://www.awla.org/event/sit-stay-cider/

Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.