Tickets now on sale for 2017 Brew in the Zoo

The Greenville Zoo invites zoo-goers to tap into the wild at the annual Brew in the Zoo presented by RJ Rockers Brewing Company. The fundraising event, set for Friday, May 26 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., will provide attendees with the opportunity to sample an assortment of beer and enjoy live music by Asheville pop, funk and soul band, LYRIC, all while exploring the zoo after-hours. This year’s media sponsor is B93.7 All the Hits!.

The zoo will offer early admission to the event again this year, which will give ticket holders the chance to enter the zoo a half hour before the start time and take part in an exclusive sampling of a specialty brew made just for the event. Ingredients for the special “zoo brew” will be selected by the Greenville Zoo’s new Sumatran orangutans, Lana and Kumar, with the assistance of their zookeepers, who will give them an assortment of fruit to choose from. RJ Rockers owner/brewer Mark Johnsen will add the orangutans’ choices to Light Rock, an easy drinking, English-style summer ale, to create the special brew.

Early admission to Brew in the Zoo is $55 in advance and $60 the day of the event. Early admission ticket holders will be admitted to the event at 6 p.m. General admission is $45 in advance and $50 the day of the event. Designated driver tickets are also available for $20. General admission and designated driver ticket holders will be admitted at 6:30 p.m.

According to Greenville Zoo Business Administrator Beth Rusch, Brew in the Zoo will showcase 14 breweries – which will be announced soon – offering two different beer styles each. The event will also feature 8-10 food vendors, including Marco’s Pizza, Henry’s Smokehouse, Tucanos Brazilian Grill, Tipsy Taco, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Texas Roadhouse, Couture Cakes and Nothing Bundt Cakes. TapSnap Phototainment, a cutting edge photo booth experience, will also be on site, and guests will be able to print their own personalized souvenir photos. Additionally, early admission and general admission ticket holders will receive a special souvenir shot glass. Designated drivers will receive food and Pepsi products.  

Brew in the Zoo is open to adults age 21 and older, and a photo ID will be required to enter. Children will not be admitted to the event. Smoking and vaping are not allowed inside the zoo and pets are not permitted. Brew in the Zoo will take place rain or shine.

 Proceeds from Brew in the Zoo will help support various programs throughout the zoo, including animal enrichment and exhibit renovations. For each ticket sold, $5 will be donated to the Madagascar Fauna Flora Group. Last year, the zoo donated $5,000 to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.greenvillezoo.com/brew.

 Sponsorship opportunities for Brew in the Zoo are still available. For more information, contact Beth Rusch at 467-5704 or[email protected].