Brew at the Zoo

The Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society is bringing the party to the animals with its second annual Brew at the Zoo on Saturday, April 11 from 6-9 p.m. Last year’s festivities were such a rousing success that the good folks over at the zoo have bolstered this year’s offerings. More than twenty-five breweries will be in attendance, serving more than 60 specialty beer samples for guests to imbibe on. This is one of more exciting beer events of the year, with proceeds directly impacting the programing of the zoo, which guests can experience first hand while sipping the night away.

   Of the stable of brewers attending this year, 14 hail from Florida, with Palm Beach County favorites Saltwater Brewery and Due South will be on hand, as well as newbie, Twisted Trunk Brewing, serving up its extremely palatable Watermelon Sison for those who have not yet made it to their Palm Beach Gardens brewery/taproom. On the out-of-town side of things, bring the old tasting glass over to Terrapin Beer Company for the always tasty Mosaic Red Rye Ale.

  Part of the zoo’s initiative to reach out to community members who may not visit the zoo on a regular basis, Brew at the Zoo has an alterative motive behind the good times: to teach.

    This event, though fun and entertaining, is also an education opportunity for the zoo staff to impart this mission. The balance between nature and human development has never been so lopsided, appearing more as development versus nature in most corners of the globe. And the world of craft beer could not be more interrelated with nature when you start dissect its makeup. As much as 97 percent of beer is water. If this water is dirty, polluted, contaminated, or just flat-out unavailable, then the beer just won’t be. While much of barley, hops and malt used to make craft beer are grown with sustainable practices, helping ease environmental impacts, the elimination of ecological damage is not absolute.

   The zoo’s mission of conservation does not end at the jungle’s edge in Malaysia or the plains of Africa, but rather starts locally and expands worldwide. Events like these make it possible for this mission to enlighten audiences while enjoying a brew. Issues of food production, diminishing fresh water resources and local watershed management may not be on the forefront of most beer drinkers’ minds, but after attending Brew at the Zoo, it might be a little more prevalent. With all proceeds from the event going to help support animal care, conservation, education and sustainability at the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, attendees will have fun for a good cause. What’s more, there will be plenty of opportunities to come face-to-face with some of the zoo’s residents with tasting stations strategically placed throughout the zoo, including the fountain circle and the wetlands exhibit.

   Local acts The Goodnicks and Bobby G will perform at the Fountain Plaza and Mayan Plaza respectively.

• General admission costs $35, while VIP status comes in at $65. VIP admission includes access to the Tropics Café (the VIP Room), where some premium brews will be on tap, complimentary buffet, a private concert by Andre Michaud and a limited edition t-shirt. Designated driver admission costs $15.
• Tickets are available online only and are expected to sell out, so grab them now here. This is a 21 and older type of event.
• For more information, see palmbeachzoo.org.