Brew 2 at the Zoo Returns September 26: A Hyperlocal, Biannual Beer Fest

Barely six months ago, the Palm Beach Zoo held its annual Brew at the Zoo event, which featured beers from all across the nation. The response was so great that it's gone and set up another one, only this time with a focus on hyperlocal offerings.

September 26, from 6 to 9 p.m., zoogoers will be able to check out beers from a range of local talent, starting at $35 per person.

"There is now enough great beer brewed in Florida that we can have all 25 breweries be in-state," said Ron Brooks, Palm Beach Zoo's events manager. "Most of [the breweries] are within 50 miles of the zoo, and none are from more than 200 miles away. Since we’re not trucking beer from across the nation, it’s the smallest carbon-footprint beer festival in South Florida… possibly the nation."

That means a plethora of brews from areas of South Florida, the Keys, and into Tampa and Orlando. Find beers from Barley Mow Brewing Co., Devour Brewing Co., Green Bench Brewing Co., Cigar City Brewing, Due South Brewing Co., Accomplice Brewery and Ciderworks, and many more. Think of it as a sampling of brews from our little section of the peninsula. 

For those who haven't bore witness to the Brew at the Zoo concept, the idea is simple: Take the traditional beer-festival idea and place it inside a zoo, which allows eventgoers the opportunity to enjoy a sip and some sights of animals from across the world. I watched anteaters roam about, tapirs bathe, and monkeys do monkey things during a relaxing evening.

Now it's time to do it all over again.

In addition to the $35 general-admission entry fee, there is a limited $65 VIP way in that gives those very important people a half-hour earlier entrance to the zoo, free food in the Tropics Cafe from Carrabba's Italian Grill in Royal Palm Beach, and a few extra premium beers that aren't available to the regular zoo plebs. They'll also get a T-shirt to set themselves apart if they so desire.

It's a pretty kick-ass beer fest that's a far cry from being tents encircling a field. The ability to meander the luscious vegetation ripe with intriguing flora and fauna make it a must-attend for a cool night out.

For tickets as well as a full list of participating breweries, visit palmbeachzoo.org/brew2.

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