By D. E. Messick

SOUTH BEND — Next Saturday, hundreds of guests will visit the exotic animals that call Potawatomi Zoo home. Unlike other weekends, though, they can do it with a beer in hand.

Organizers say the event is the zoo’s only beer tasting event of the year and the largest fundraiser of the year, as well, with around 1,400 people in attendance every season.

So far, there are 18 vendors on deck for the event with almost twice that making their preparations to attend. Vendors will be scattered throughout the zoo grounds, allowing attendees the opportunity to visit the animals while they enjoy their samples.

Forty tables of craft beer will be available for sampling, including vendors from Back Road Brewery, Quality Wine and Ale Supply, Burn ‘Em Brewing, Crooked Ewe Brewery & Ale House, Stiegl Cavalier, Michiana Brewery’s Supply, Chapin Park Brewers, South Bend BrewWerks, Bell’s Brewery, Bare Hands Brewery, Iechyd Da Brewing Company, Indiana Beverage, United Beverage and Michiana Extract & Grain Association.

Every attendee will receive a few beer mug for tasting and to take home as a souvenir.

“For what we charge for our event, there’s no way you could go to the bar and try as many craft beers for this price,” said Rachael Rogers, event coordinator for the Potawatomi Zoo.

Live entertainment for the event is a musician from New York City who goes by the name, Micah. He is described as an Indy rock acoustic musician who has opened up for big names such as Young and the Giants.

Food, beer and entertainment is all included in the ticket price of $40 for general admission or $35 for zoomembers, and the added benefit is all proceeds fund the local zoo.

“Any money that is spent at the zoo stays at the zoo,” Rogers said.

T-shirts will also be available for purchase at the event, and the concessions will be open with other food items for purchase.

The Zoo Brew will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, prior to the Notre Dame v. Michigan football game.

Those interested in attending should call the zoo at (574) 235-9800, go online, or visit any admissions gate to purchase tickets.

For more information, or to buy tickets online, visit www.potawatomizoo.org/events/zoo-brew