100-plus beer choices, 1 awesome night at Riverbanks’ Brew at the Zoo
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens has won numerous awards for being one of the Southeast’s top destinations, with more than 2,000 animals and the botanical garden, all set on the scenic Saluda River.
Friday, Aug. 4, about 2,000 visitors will descend on the zoo – and many of them won’t see a single animal, flower or exhibit.
They will see beer. Maybe a bear, too. But definitely lots and lots of beer.
Brew at the Zoo, marketed by Riverbanks as “Columbia’s coolest suds sippin’ safari” will offer visitors a chance to sample from more than 100 varieties of imported, domestic and microbrews during the 2.5-hour event.
They’ll even be able to sample a beer with ingredients selected by one of the zoo’s animals – Patrick, a silverback gorilla.
Guests can meander around much of the 170-acre Riverbanks to drink from stations set up throughout the zoo portion of the park. Beer is the draw at Riverbanks this night, and plenty of it will be drawn.
There will be a few other things participants can do while drinking beer:
▪ Take a stroll around the zoo. Many of the animals will be out enjoying the evening. Of course, given the event, they may find you more interesting than you find them.
▪ Listen to live music. The bands on tap are Kenny George Band from Aiken in the main plaza and Justin Parrish from Charleston near the carousel area.
▪ Watch an animal presentation. There will be a penguin feeding, alligator training demonstration and sea lion presentation.
▪ Get up close with a giraffe. The Giraffe Overlook will be open, but patrons won’t be allowed to feed the animals.
If you actually manage to put too much of a dent in that 100-beer list, Checker Yellow Cab will be standing by from 7-10 p.m., and Riverbanks will pay the first $15 of fare destined for private residences or hotels within Richland and Lexington counties.
If you go
Brew at the Zoo
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4
WHERE: Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway
COST: $40, members; $50, nonmembers. Tickets sell quickly.
INFO: www.riverbanks.org
Would you trust this gorilla to pick out your beer?
In keeping with a favorite Brew at the Zoo tradition, a Riverbanks animal has helped select ingredients for one of this year’s featured beers.
Patricks’ Pick is a well-balanced blend of caramel 60 malt, cherries, Pilsen and wheat – courtesy of Patrick, a silverback gorilla. The zoo partnered with Legal Remedy Brewing Company to craft the featured draft.
If you’re going to let a gorilla pick your beer, you probably should get to know him. Here are some fun facts, courtesy of Riverbanks:
PATRICK’S LOOKS
▪ Largest – and hairiest – gorilla at Riverbanks.
▪ Weighs 394 pounds.
HIS BEHAVIORS AND HABITS
▪ Enjoys watching guests
▪ Enjoys interacting with keepers using children’s toys, like books and bubbles
▪ Best tool user
▪ Best painter
▪ Great at opening a coconut
HIS PERSONALITY
Intelligent, sensitive, observant
HIS FAVORITE FOOD
Loves sweet potatoes
This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 4:08 PM with the headline "100-plus beer choices, 1 awesome night at Riverbanks’ Brew at the Zoo."