So a zebra, a flamingo and a seal walk into beer festival…
That was the scene Friday and Saturday night at the Lincoln Park Zoo for the fourth annual Craft Brews at Zoo festival. The event featured more than 40 local and regional breweries showcasing 120-plus of their best beers. Beer tasting stations were scattered throughout the zoo’s gardens and exhibits during the after-hours experience. Between sips, guests could vibe by one of the DJs, try their hand at jenga and corn hole in the lawn, or check out some of the four-legged friends in the zoo.
The event attracted more than 7,000 people over its two days.
“I love to see all the people come together just for the love of beer and animals,” Nick Antolik, a Chicago native said.
A few of Festival for Life’s Favorite pours from the weekend…
Triple H (Brickstone Brewery – Bourbonnais, IL) — A triple dry hopped hazy IPA brewed with Galaxy, Citra and Amarillo hops that give it hints of mango and passion fruit and an 8% ABV that packs a punch.
Hofbrau Original (Hofbrauhaus – Rosemont, IL) — A refreshing 5.1% ABV lager that’s bottom fermented for a crisp balance.
What Gose Around (Hand of Fate Brewing Co. – Petersburg, IL) — A sour, salty and refreshing pour brewed with pink Himalayan salt and coriander, it’s a tart attack on the senses that keeps you coming back for more.
Belgian White (Old Town Abbey – Chicago, IL) — A take on the classic Witbier with a hint of lemongrass, giving this pour a floral-citrus aroma, the perfect chaser to anything spicy.
Daylight (Tribes – Mokena, IL) — A pilsner made with red wheat malts, hopped and dry hopped with German Tettnange for a total of 1 pound per barrel, this crisp Kolsch has floral aromas and sweet finish.
Michigan Apple (Virtue Cider – Fennville, MI) — This refreshing semi-dry barrel-aged cider tastes like good stuff you get straight from the cider mill, but with a little something extra, perfect for a summer night.
The event partnered with Lou Dog Events, a Chicago production and management company that has mastered the art of executing a beer festival.
