People from across the Bay are flocked to Lowry Park Zoo on an at-times stormy evening Saturday, Aug. 4, to enjoy the festivities at its annual beer and grub extravaganza, WaZoo.
Included were beer musketeers (three in green with hats), an Orange Blossom Pilsner, one of the many specialty brews (man in gray shirt pours it in photo), and Papa Johns gave away pizza for free.
Power outages from a storm didn't scare most of the attendees away, even if the power went out and the zoo was pitch black in some spots.
WaZoo drew more than 4,000 guests and 500 event volunteers, and raised preliminary NET revenue in excess of $150,000 (which exceeded goal and budget projections) for the Zoo, a nonprofit organization. Hundreds of vendors and volunteers outlasted the rain and poured more than 280 types of beer from 80 breweries worldwide and served savory samples from 20 local eateries. The headliner band, One Mile Final, took to the World of Beer Main Stage as soon as power was restored and played for an hour to an enthusiastic crowd of guests in the new special events area near the Love Garden.
A panel of judges sampled all the beers to present awards for Best of Show.
· Best of Show – Steenbrugge Abbey Tripel (Belgian Ale) from Latis Imports
· 1st Runner Up – Franziskaner Hefe Weisse (Wheat) from Spaten North America
· 2nd Runner Up – Spaten Dunkel (German Style) from Spaten North America
The zoo's next big tasting event is Zoofari, Sat., Nov. 3, 7-11 p.m. For one ticket price, guests can go on a sampling safari of the Bay area’s best restaurants, enjoy open bars, browse the “Art Safari†art auction, and dance to live music on multiple stages featuring headliner Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The Rhino Club includes early entry and exclusive use of the beautiful Safari Lodge and outdoor plaza. Animals are not on exhibit during the event. Tickets will be available in September. Visit LowryParkZoo.com.
