There were well more party animals than zoo creatures at the Little Rock Zoo's sixth annual Zoo Brew, a craft beer festival with dozens of local and regional breweries plus food trucks and other food vendors. The throw-down was Sept. 15 at the zoo. Last call came later than the event's 9 p.m. ending.
Nearly 1,000 people paid up to $35 each to attend. Most gathered in and around the Civitan Amphitheater and inside Cafe Africa. The nighttime event raised about $30,000 for the Arkansas Zoological Foundation, which supports the zoo.
Docents greeted guests at the main gate with animals from the zoo's Education Outreach program. The zoo's mission is "to inspire people to value and conserve our natural world."
"Good brews, good food, cool animals and a good cause -- you just can't beat that," said Lamor Williams, director of marketing and communications for the zoo.
Participating breweries and distributors included Arkansas Craft Distributors, Central Arkansas Fermenters, Fermentables, Central Distributing Malt Team, Core Brewing, Diamond Bear, Flyway Brewing, Glazer's Distributors of Arkansas, Golden Eagle of Arkansas, Lagunitas, Lost Forty Brewing, Rebel Kettle, Rock Town Distillery, Stone's Throw Brewing and Vino's. Most caterers brought their hottest and spiciest fare, perhaps with the intent to increase beer consumption. Loblolly Creamery was on hand to put out any fires.
-- Story and photos by
Cyd King
High Profile on 09/25/2016