The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s biggest summer fundraiser — Brew at the Zoo & Wine, Too! – celebrates its 23rd year on August 2, and it has aged well. Every year it features something new, and this year is no different!
Exciting accompaniments to this year’s brew fest include a New York Beer & Wine Trail spotlighting local craft beers and wines along a section of the zoo’s newly renovated scenic walkway, as well as our summer exhibit of Big Bugs! – seven giant animatronic insects that promise to inject fun photo ops into the mix.
Brew-goers also get to enjoy animals on evening exhibit, music, games, a silent auction including animal-inspired items and experiences, and more. Proceeds from Brew at the Zoo benefit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and all the creatures that call the zoo home.
The 2019 event takes place 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, and advance sale tickets are available through Wednesday, July 31. Advance sale tickets are $55 per person and $50 for groups of six or more. Tickets will be $65 as of July 31 and also will be sold at the door if available. Advance tickets are on sale now at syracusezooevents.org/event/brew-at-the-zoo-2019.
For the VIP treatment, purchase our VIP ticket for exclusive access to a 4 p.m. reception with delicious food, open bar, animal greeters, pre-event VIP-only tastings and desserts — as well as dedicated VIP comfort stations and early access to Brew. VIP tickets are $95 each.
Brew at the Zoo is a CNY summer tradition that often sells out. Recent renovations to improve the zoo’s Wildlife Trail past Asian elephants, white-lipped deer and red wolves will make this year’s event even more enjoyable, especially with the chance to see our 8-month-old baby elephant, Ajay (Ah-JYE).
One of the highlights of Brew is an elephant demonstration at Asian Elephant Preserve, and with baby Ajay on hand, we think this will be the best Brew ever. Add to that our Big Bugs and the New York Beer & Wine Trail and there are a lot of new elements to celebrate this year.
Beer and wine distributors Spirit & Sanzone and TJ Sheehan and our catering sponsor, Tops, are returning with over 45 beverage stations and 10 food stations around the zoo. The New York Beer & Wine Trail will include Stout Beard Brewing Company, Empire Brewing, IBU Brewery, and Anything But Beer of Syracuse, WT Brews of Baldwinsville, 1911 Distillery of Lafayette and Zugibe Vineyards of Geneva, among others.
The event features music by Black Tie Entertainment and a silent auction whose prizes include animal artwork, gift baskets, sports memorabilia and donated excursions such as a hotel staycation and a craft beer and wine Thousand Islands boat tour. The silent auction will be conducted via mobile bidding, so Brew-goers can bid on their cell phones while enjoying the party.
Brew at the Zoo runs 5:30 to 8 p.m. August 2, with early entry for VIP ticket holders starting at 4 p.m.
For more information and updates, please visit syracusezooevents.org/event/brew-at-the-zoo-2019.
My best,
Janet Agostini President + CEO Friends of the Zoo
BREW TICKETS:
Advance sale: $55 per person Advance group rate (6+): $50 per person Advance sale ends Wednesday, July 31. Tickets $65 per person beginning Thursday, August 1. VIP: $95 per person Tickets required; click here to purchase, by phone at (315) 435-8511 x8589 or purchase at the membership desk. Anyone under 21, including infants and toddlers, will not be admitted.
VIP ticket holders get access to an exclusive reception at the zoo banquet room at 4 p.m. with food prepared by Catering at the Zoo, open bar (beer and wine only), special VIP-only tastings, early entry into Brew, animal greets, dedicated VIP comfort stations, more. For questions about VIP tickets, please call (315) 435-8511 x8518.