Microbreweries, Eclectic Music and More Set for BREW AT LA ZOO

The 6th Annual Brew at the L.A. Zoo, one of summer's most popular events for guests 21 and over, returns on Friday, August 5, 2016, 7 to 11 pm, featuring an after-hours visit to the Zoo with 5 oz beer samples from 40+ local craft and microbreweries, live music, dancing and an overflowing slate of fun.

A special VIP Lounge ticket offers early entry at 6 pm with exclusive access to all breweries plus complimentary food, including a bountiful buffet offering hors d'oeuvres, snacks, specialty cocktails.

The eclectic music lineup features the 80s arena rock of Wayward Sons; choice rock cuts from the 70's, 80's & 90's by the Black Canyon Band; live karaoke with Casual Encounters; the Zydeco Trail Riderz playing traditional Zydeco with nods to Cajun, Swamp Pop and New Orleans; and something completely different from Der Burgermeister Boyz, a German Polka band.

Other highlights are dancing with DJ Johnny Hawkes, up-close encounters with some of the Zoo's smaller residents, keeper talks and viewing of some popular animal exhibits. Adding to the brew mix are street teams from AMP, KROQ and JACK FM. With sell-out crowds at the five previous Brew at the L.A. Zoo evenings, advance ticket purchase is strongly suggested.

Participating breweries* include Alosta Brewing Company, Alpine Beer Company , Angel City Brewing , Baja Brewing Company , Ballast Point Brewing , Barefoot Wine, Bootlegger's Brewery , Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado, Common Cider, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Fireman's Brew Company, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Golden Road Brewery , Goose Island , Great Divide Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Company , I&I Brewing , Indie Brewing Company , Iron Triangle Brewing, Kinetic Brewing Company, Knee Deep Brewing Co., Latitude 33 Brewing Co., MacLeod Ale Brewery, Mother Earth Brew Co., New Belgium, Pacific Plate Brewing , Pocock Brewing, Ritual Brewing Co., Samuel Adams, San Fernando Brewing Co. , Shock Top , Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., SKA Brewing , Stone Brewing Company, Surf Brewing , The Dude's Brewing Company, The Traveler Beer Co., Transplants Brewing and Westlake Brewing Company.

Throughout the evening's route, food options are available for purchase, including Bavarian glazed cinnamon roasted almonds, kettle corn and old fashioned kettle corn, garlic American fries, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken wings, nachos, grilled dogs and sausages, chicken adobo tacos, and pulled pork BBQ, as well as the Zoo Grill's regular menu.

Guests with VIP Lounge tickets, which are $125 per person, dine at two stations located at Reggie's Bistro and the Elephant Circle's Thai Pavilion. Reggie's Bistro offers two buffet stations, one featuring Burgers and Brats, including 1/3 pound Angus Burgers and local craft beer brats served with locally baked breads, kettle chips, lettuce, tomato, onion, pecan wood smoked bacon, caramelized balsamic onions, thyme-roasted mushrooms, house made guacamole, roasted pineapple, assorted cheeses, house pickles, 1,000 island dressing, bbq sauce, ketchup, mayo, and stone ground mustard. The Fried Chicken station serves buttermilk-brined chicken with garlic, thyme, honey and togarashi dipping sauces plus corn on the cob, mac 'n' cheese, buttermilk coleslaw and cornbread. At the Thai Pavilion, guests can enjoy snack stations from 6 to 10:45 pm offering Korean-glazed chicken wings; Reuben sliders with house-cured corned beef; Tex-Mex Brisket poutine with white cheddar cheese curds; goat cheese, corn relish, and arugula quesadillas; assorted flavored popcorns; cheese and charcuterie served with fresh fruit and breads; and German pretzel and beer cheese fondue. Also available are specialty cocktails as well as exclusive access to beer.

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, drawing 1.75 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered. Its lush grounds on 113 acres feature the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the Winnick Family Children's Zoo; one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world; a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants; and much more. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children. As evidence of the Zoo's popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.

Advance tickets - available online only -- to Brew at the L.A. Zoo are $65, or $60 for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members, $25 for Designated Drivers (includes free fountain drink refills all evening at four Zoo locations), and $125 for VIP tickets with access to two exclusive lounges serving complimentary food and specialty drinks/pours AND early entry to the entire route. VIP tickets are available online with advance purchase only. General tickets at the box office in advance or at the door, if available, are $75, or $70 for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles' Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Free parking is available. For additional information, call (323) 644-6001 or go to www.lazoo.org/brew. *participating breweries subject to change

Photo Credit: Jamie Pham