PHILADELPHIA, PA — Beer enthusiasts and animal lovers have a unique opportunity to combine their passions this summer at the Philadelphia Zoo. The zoo is organizing its Summer Ale Festival on Saturday, July 20, 2024, transforming its 42-acre campus into a vibrant venue for craft beer tasting, live music, and global cuisine, all in the company of the zoo’s resident animals, from big cats to great apes.
This distinctive event, running from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, distinguishes itself as the region’s sole beer festival that allows visitors to explore wildlife habitats while enjoying over 100 varieties of award-winning craft beers, ciders, hard iced teas, and hard seltzers. The festival will feature an impressive roster of local breweries such as Tired Hands Brewing Company and Dock Street Brewing, alongside notable visitors like Desperate Times Brewery and Ship Bottom Brewery. Attendees can also look forward to a selection of non-beer beverages provided by brands like Stateside Seltzer and Downeast Cider.
Further enhancing the experience, a variety of local food trucks, including Bacon on a Stick and Bonjour Creperie, will be present to offer an array of culinary delights. With a full music lineup to be announced this spring, the festival promises a memorable evening of entertainment.
More than just a night of enjoyment, the Summer Ale Festival serves a larger purpose. According to Cara Treadway, Vice President of Guest Experience at the Philadelphia Zoo, the event not only offers attendees a unique way to interact with the zoo’s animals in a less crowded setting but also plays a crucial role in supporting the zoo’s mission. Proceeds from ticket sales contribute to the care of the animals housed at the zoo, bolster the institution’s global conservation initiatives, and fund community programs aimed at fostering connections between nature and the urban population.
Tickets are currently available, with early access admission priced at $95, general admission at $75, and a special rate of $35 for non-drinkers. For those quick to act, early bird tickets offer a discounted rate of $80 for early access and $60 for general admission, subject to availability. All tickets include complimentary parking and shuttle service to and from 30th Street Station.
The Summer Ale Festival is a rain-or-shine event, exclusively open to individuals aged 21 and above, with valid identification required for entry. It represents an innovative approach by the Philadelphia Zoo to engage the community, promote wildlife awareness, and raise funds for conservation in an enjoyable and impactful manner.
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