Normally you'd associate the words--beer, animals, and zoo with a wild party. Well that was sort of the case this past weekend at the Palm Beach Zoo, Florida, when they hosted their first Brew At The Zoo event.
The night started off a bit rocky when guests had to wait an extra 30 minutes to get in, the reason given--a chilling problem. Then $35 yellow wrist band came with the smallest stein ever made, a two ounce shot glass.
The fountain at the entrance was turned off, opening up the space for many tents. Some were pouring beer, some sold food, and one was selling tours through beer country in the United States and Overseas.
I joined people in lines, gulped down frothy sips of beer, munched a super spicy Italian sausage sandwich and then plunged into the undergrowth toward the animal enclosures, and more beer tents.
Along the way I met Karen Schwartz who was wearing a pretzel necklace. Her entire family was wearing necklaces, a tradition they started several beer events ago. She said it was an inexpensive way to counter the effects of the beer.
I continued walking. There were people lining up everywhere, through Aztec ruins, near simulated swamps, and by animal enclosures.
At the back of the zoo, near the Cisco Brewing Company's table, I found two Florida panthers lounging in their enclosure. They seemed unaware of the large crowds of people visiting their zoo so late at night.
Zoo volunteers never wavered in their warmth, smiling and pouring beer even as the clock struck ten.
Many delicious brews were served like Tequesta Brewing Co's Blueberry Saison, Terrapin Beer Company's Rye Pale Ale, and Estaminet's Premium Pilsner.
Proceeds from the event went to conservation, animal care, education, and sustainability at the Palm Beach Zoo.
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| Thirsty people lining up for Brew at the Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla. Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
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| Zoo volunteers pours two ounces of Shipyard beer, Brew at The Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla. Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
Still there were no restrictions on how many times the glass could be filled. And with 20 breweries, serving over 50 craft beers, there was no sense of loss.
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| Beer Bon Voyage tour company at Brew at the Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla., Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
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| Thirsty guest getting a glass of Back Forty's Naked Pig Ale, Brew At The Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla. Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
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| Karen Schwartz wearing a pretzel necklace, Brew at the Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla. Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
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| Guests lined up for Palm/Estaminet beer choices, Brew at the Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla. Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
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| Florida panthers kept awake by guests of Brew at the Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla. Copyright 2013 by Helen A Lockey |
Zoo volunteers never wavered in their warmth, smiling and pouring beer even as the clock struck ten.
Many delicious brews were served like Tequesta Brewing Co's Blueberry Saison, Terrapin Beer Company's Rye Pale Ale, and Estaminet's Premium Pilsner.
Proceeds from the event went to conservation, animal care, education, and sustainability at the Palm Beach Zoo.
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