Philadelphia Zoo’s legendary Summer Ale Festival returns on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Festival-goers are invited to go wild for craft beer and cider with 120+ selections pouring from over 70 regional and national breweries. This exclusive night also features private Zoo access after-hours, live entertainment, delicious lite bites from Philly’s top food trucks (available for purchase) and, of course, the most majestic animals from around the globe. In addition to offering a special night of memories at one of the region’s most unique attractions, the event raises money to support the Zoo’s mission to create joyful discovery, and inspire action for animals and habitats. Tickets are now on sale for $85 for early access admission, $65 for general admission and $35 for non-drinker admission. Early access and general admission tickets include free parking and a complimentary shuttle to and from 30th Street Station. For tickets and more information, visit www.philadelphiazooevents.com. Summer Ale Fest is limited to those 21 or older with valid identification. Event is rain or shine.

“Summer Ale Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience the Zoo in an entirely new and different way,” said Philadelphia Zoo’s Chief Marketing Officer Amy Shearer. “There is no better way to spend a beautiful summer than sipping a cold beer, eating delicious food and enjoying great music - all the while surrounded by our amazing animals. It truly is an unforgettable experience.”

Philadelphia Zoo serves up an impressive crop of regional craft brews at this must-attend event for beer enthusiasts. Hot on the heels of 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.

New for 2019, look for a record number of brewery participants pouring at least two selections each, including a who’s who of notable local breweries like 2nd Story Brewing Company, Evil Genius Beer Company, Goose Island Brewhouse, Love City Brewing Company, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co., Urban Village Brewing Company and Yards Brewing Company. River Horse Brewing Company, hailing from Ewing, New Jersey, will even serve up Philadelphia Zoo’s exclusive collaboration brew Wuddermelon Kolsch.

The growing list of breweries includes:

* 2nd Story Brewing Company

* Angry Orchard

* Axe & Arrow Brewing Company

* Bell's Brewery

* Brooklyn Brewery

* Cape May Brewing Co.

* Crabbie's Original Ginger Beer

* Cricket Hill Brewery

* Devils Backbone Brewing Company

* D.G. Yuengling & Son

* Dock Street Brewery

* Downeast Cider

* Eight & Sand Beer Company

* Evil Genius Beer Company

* Flying Fish Brewing Co.

* Free Will Brewing Company

* Goose Island Brewhouse

* Great Barn Brewery

* Guinness & Co.

* Highway Manor Brewing Co.

* Hochstadter's Slow & Low

* Hokkaido Brewing Company

* Kronenbourg 1664

* La Cabra Brewing

* Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

* Locust Lane Craft Brewery

* Lord Hobo Brewing Company

* Marathon Brewing Company

* Love City Brewing Company

* McAllister Brewing Co.

* McKenzie Brew House

* McKenzie's Hard Cider

* Moss Mill Brewing Co.

* Naked Brewing Company

* Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co.

* Peak Organic Brewing Company

* Quaker City Shrubs

* Red Lion Brewery

* River Horse Brewing Co.

* Roy Pitz Brewing Co.

* Samuel Adams

* Saranac Brewing Co.

* Ship Bottom Brewery

* SingleCut Beersmiths

* Sixpoint Brewing Company

* Somersby Cider

* Southern Tier Brewing Co.

* Sterling Pig Brewery

* The Colony Meadery

* The Lion Brewery

* Tröegs Independent Brewing

* Truly Hard Seltzer

* Two Roads Brewing

* Urban Village Brewing Company

* Victory Brewing Company

* Wicked Weed Brewing

* Wild Leaf Craft Hard Tea

* Wyndridge Farm

* Yards Brewing Company

* Zeroday Brewing Company

Couple Drinking Beer, Philadelphia Zoo Summer Ale Fest

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:

* Authentik Byrek

* Baby Blues BBQ

* Buzzeta's Festival Foods

* Calle Del Sabor

* Deke's Food Truck

* Grubaholics

* Happy Hour Dive Cart

* Chank's Pizza Cones

* Mama's Meatballs

* Meatwagon BBQ

* Mi Pueblito Tacos

* Philly Fry

* Street Food Philly by 33rd Street Hospitality

* The Little Sicilian

* The Munchy Machine

In between dining and drinks under the stars, look for live entertainment that will also have you dancing from Zoo exhibit to exhibit. This year’s line-up includes DJ Blake and DJ Tree, plus The Bad Bees, playing American alt-rock, and the Kickbax Band, a Philadelphia-based fun-loving “party rock” band playing hits from yesterday to today.

Live Music at Philadelphia Zoo's Summer Ale Fest

While visiting, Summer Ale guests can enjoy the new exhibit, Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion-Piece Animal Adventure Presented by WSFS Bank. Other new attractions open during Ale Festival include the Zoo Key ($3.00 each) and talking audio books, The Urban Green outdoor food marketplace, and the Watering Hole Beer Garden. Summer Ale Fest is limited to those 21 or older with valid identification. Tickets are available exclusively through www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org and will not be available for purchase at the door. Taps close 30 minutes prior to event end. This is a rain or shine event.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA ZOO
Animals are on the move like never before at America's first zoo with the creation of Zoo360, a first-in-the-world animal trail and exploration system that encourage our most majestic creatures to travel above and across visitor pathways. Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first Zoo, is situated on 42 acres and is home to more than 1,300 rare and endangered animals, including new baby western lowland gorillas, giraffes, hippos, white rhino, zebras, red pandas, African lions and more. Experience Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of see-through mesh trails passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, giving animals like amazing big cats, majestic primates and marvelous meerkats the opportunities to travel and explore. Visit award-winning exhibits like Key Bank Big Cat Falls,PECO Primate Reserve, McNeil Avian Center and KidZooU, a wildlife academy that offers dynamic displays, rare breeds and hands-on experiences. For more information visit www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org.