Lions, Tigers and Beers, Oh My! Summer Ale Festival Returns to Philadelphia Zoo This July

-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events

Philadelphia Zoo is bringing more than 100 award-winning craft beers, ciders, hard iced teas, hard seltzers, local food trucks and live music to its 42-acre campus for the wildest festival of the season. Summer Ale Festival is the only beer celebration in the region where guests can visit animals like big cats, great apes and more. Summer Ale Festival is happening Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm with taps closing at 9:30pm.

“We hear year after year from our guests that this festival offers a great variety of beverages and gives them the chance to see our animals up close with fewer crowds,” said Vice President of Guest Experience Cara Treadway. “Not only is Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Ale Festival an incredibly fun night, but more importantly, supports the animals in our care, our global conservation work, and our local community programs.”

Philadelphia Zoo serves up an impressive crop of regional craft brews at this must-attend event for beer enthusiasts. Held every year in summer months, and after Philly Beer Week, Summer Ale Festival continues to quench the region’s unlimited thirst for top quality ales and ciders. Guests will meet dozens of renowned brewers offering delicious award-winning, full-bodied beers and purchase fresh, local fare from the region’s hippest food trucks.

Full Brewery List (Subject to Change)
Aldus Brewing Co.
Alternate Ending
Angry Orchard
Big Oyster Brewery
Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery
Beatbox Brew (“Party Punch”)
Bout the Hops
Braeloch Brewing Beer
Brewery Techne
Broad Street Brewing
Cape May Beverage
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
Conshohocken Brewing Company
Desperate Times Brewery
Dewey Beer Co.
Dock Street Brewery
Double Nickel Brewing Co.
Downeast Cider
Evil Genius
Fegley’s Brew Works
Fishtown Ice Tea
First State
La Cabra Brewing
Lost Time
Love City Brewing Company
MudHen
New Ridge Brewing
New Trail Brewing
Neshaminy Creek
Ommegang
Oslo
Prison Pals
Revolution Bees
Rupee
Rrey
Sam Adams
Sea Isle Ice Tea
Ship Bottom Brewery
Slack Tide
South County Brewing
Spellbound Brewing
Spring House Brewing Company
Stateside
Swedesboro Brewing Company
Three 3’s
Tired Hands Brewing Company
Triple Bottom
Twisted Tea
Two Locals Brewing
Two Roads Brewing Company
Urban Village Brewing Company
Von C
Warsteiner
Westville Brewery
Wissahickon Brewing Company
Workhorse Brewing Co.
Yards Brewing Company
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

After guests quench their thirst, they can enjoy delicious lite bites purchased at more than a dozen food trucks also situated throughout the Zoo. This year’s early food truck list includes:

A Taste of Philly
Bacon on a Stick
Bonjour Creperie
BYZ. Empire
Calle Del Sabor
Deke’s BBQ
Grubaholics
The Little Sicilian
The Pasta Truck

In between dining and drinks under the stars, look for live entertainment that will also have you dancing from Zoo exhibit to exhibit. The line up includes a mix of live bands and top local DJs  who are sure to keep guests grooving.

Tickets (includes admission to the Zoo):
–   Early Admission (6-10pm; taps close at 9:30pm): $75-$90; early bird pricing expiring soon
–   General Admission (7-10pm; taps close at 9:30pm):  $65-$75; early bird pricing expiring soon
–   Non-drinker (admitted with their party at either 6pm or 7pm): $35
–   Zoo Members enjoy a $10 discount on all tickets

Know before you go:
–   Free, complimentary parking
–   Free shuttle is available from 30th Street Station
–   Guests will receive one (1) souvenir tasting cup
–   This is a rain or shine event
–   Taps close 30 minutes prior to event end at 9:30pm
– This is a 21+ event.  No one under 21 will be admitted, including children and infants

Summer Ale Fest is limited to those 21 or older with valid identification. Tickets are available exclusively through the Zoo’s website and will not be available for purchase at the door. This is a rain or shine event. Summer Ale Fest serves as a fundraiser and supports Philadelphia Zoo in its mission to create joyful discovery and inspire action for animals and habitats.

Tickets are now on sale for $95 for early access admission, $75 for general admission and $35 for non-drinker admission. For a limited time, early bird tickets are $80 for early access and only $60 for general admission- while supplies last! All tickets include free parking and a complimentary shuttle to and from 30th Street Station. For tickets and more information, visit www.philadelphiazoo.org.