Virginia Zoo partners with Coastal Virginia Brewery Alliance to host all new beer-tasting event

NORFOLK, VA – The Virginia Zoo is teaming up with the Coastal Virginia Brewery Alliance to host the first ever ‘Roar & Pour’ – featuring unlimited beer tastings from 28 Coastal Virginia breweries, live music from the Bobby Blackhat Band, a DJ, a kids’ play area, extended exhibit hours, animal training demonstrations, local food trucks and more. The event will kick off Labor Day on Saturday, September 2nd from 5:30-9pm.  

“We’re keeping things family-friendly (our specialty!) at this all-new flavor of beer festival, but we’re spicing it up with our favorite Coastal Virginia breweries and zoo-centric activities throughout the park,” Lori Lampert, Director of Guest Experience at the Virginia Zoo said. “There will be more beer than ever before, poured by the actual brewers who made it! It’s the perfect way to kick back this Labor Day weekend.” 

The event has some similarities to our past beer-centered events, which were highly popular with young adults, and aims to gather Virginia craft beer lovers and families alike. Drinking-aged adults can enjoy a relaxed evening with their loved ones while kids play in bounce houses and lawn games. 

Roar & Pour will bring all 28 breweries, all members of the Coastal Virginia Brewery Alliance, onsite to serve their beer on draft in individual booths. Unlimited tastings are included in drinking-adult tickets, and non-drinking adult tickets are available as well.  

Several breweries took this opportunity to collaborate and brew special beers to debut at Roar & Pour, allowing event attendees to have the first taste. After Roar & Pour, participating breweries will serve the beers on draft in their taprooms for all patrons to enjoy while supplies last. 

Special beers at Roar & Pour can be expected from Wasserhund Brewing of Virginia Beach, Vibrant Shore Brewing of Virginia Beach in collaboration with The Garage Brewery and Studly Brewing of Chesapeake, Benchtop Brewing of Norfolk in collaboration with Afterglow Brewing of Norfolk, and 1700 Brewing of Newport News.  

“This event will be an awesome way to share with the community all the delicious local brews available in one great place and will be something we look forward to doing for years to come,”

Will Sawyer, Head Brewer at The Garage Brewery, said. “This was a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Virginia Zoo to make a fun, wild creation with White Labs yeast. Nature called, and as actual animals ourselves, we answered.”

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