Brewery Profile

Brew at the Zoo

In Akron’s beer scene, Brew at the Zoo functions more like a recurring tasting event than a year-round brewery or taproom. A visitor should expect the setting to feel different from a neighborhood brewhouse: the event takes place on the grounds of the Akron Zoo, with animal exhibits and zoo paths forming the backdrop for sampling. The focus is on local and regional craft beer selections rather than beer made on site. For people familiar with the zoo’s regular concessions, the point of the event is access to beers that are typically not part of the standard zoo lineup. It gives Akron drinkers and out-of-town visitors a way to connect the city’s craft beer culture with one of its established public attractions.

Travelers exploring beer in northeast Ohio often look for variety, seasonal releases, and chances to compare breweries from the region without driving between multiple taprooms. Brew at the Zoo fits that style of visit because it is built around a curated selection rather than a single house list. The zoo setting also changes the pace of the experience: guests are not just standing at a bar or sitting in a beer hall, but moving through a venue associated with exhibits housing more than 1,000 animals representing species from around the world. That makes it a useful option for visitors who want a beer-focused outing with a stronger sense of place than a standard tasting room stop.

Because Brew at the Zoo is an annual or seasonal event, planning matters more than it would for a permanent brewery. Dates, admission requirements, participating breweries, tasting format, age restrictions, food options, and hours should be confirmed directly through the Akron Zoo or the event’s current information before making the trip. It should not be treated as a drop-in taproom with regular daily pours. Ticket sales often support the zoo’s conservation and operational funds, so the visit is tied to the institution as well as to the beer selection. For practical purposes, think of it as a scheduled zoo event centered on regional craft beer, with the zoo grounds shaping the visit as much as the drinks themselves.

Brew at the Zoo is an annual or seasonal event held on the grounds of the Akron Zoo in Ohio, featuring local and regional craft beer selections. The zoo itself serves as a unique backdrop for the tasting event, which operates near exhibits housing over 1,000 animals representing species from around the world. While not a permanent brewing facility, the event focuses on curating a selection of beers typically unavailable within the zoo's standard concessions. Proceeds from ticket sales often benefit the zoo's conservation and operational funds.

Website available

500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH 44307, USA, Akron, Ohio, 44307

Phone: (330) 375-2550

Website: http://www.akronzoo.org/

Hours: Off-Season October 1 €- March 31 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily