A veteran-owned whiskey brand that pays homage to military service dogs is working on plans to open in Big Bear, records show. The emerging venture, Warrior Dog Spirit, has an inspirational story behind it and will surely have strong community support once it opens.
Plans are in motion for a distillery/tasting room in the mountain town. Owner and U.S. Army veteran, MBA graduate, and Ph.D. student Jose Pila told What Now OC the team is actively scouting locations and is in the early stages of planning and permitting. The space will feature curated flights, collector’s editions, and host special events.
Pila’s own personal journey motivated him to start Warrior Dog Spirit. After his time in the military, he hit rock bottom — until he was given a service dog through a program. The animal changed his life around for the better, and he wants to honor those brave pups with his business.
For now, Warrior Dog Spirit is preparing to launch its first whiskey for the holiday season. The releases will honor the legacy of military working dogs, with each bottle highlighting a real K9 hero, and a portion of sales will be donated to related organizations.
“Warrior Dog Spirit isn’t just a whiskey, it’s a tribute in every bottle. We tell the stories of military working dogs who served with honor, and we give back to the veteran community that continues to carry their legacy forward,” Pila said.
