The Edmonton Valley Zoo is home to more than 350 animals, and for three nights in the summer it’s also home to more than 25 breweries. That’s Zoo Brew, one of the zoo’s biggest yearly events, and this will be its ninth year running.
“It’s unique,” says Randolf Picardal, events coordinator for the Valley Zoo Development Society, which is a charity that runs events and projects at the zoo. “There are so many different types of people that come. There are people who are here because they love beer, there are people that are here just because they love the zoo.”
The participating breweries set up stalls all around the zoo, giving attendees a chance to explore both the drink options and the animal habitats at the same time. Tickets are exchanged for drinks, and there’s much more available than just beer. Vodka, gin and whiskies are among the options, and food trucks set up in open spaces (like up near the reindeer habitat) to ensure there are plenty of snacks available.
Zoo Brew started in 2017 as an initiative of the Valley Zoo Development Society aimed at a younger demographic of supporters. Since then it has become an anticipated event.
“I was lucky enough to inherit an event that brings a community together and supports local businesses,” Picardal says.“This was one of their ways of fundraising, bringing awareness and also supporting the community and creating a community too.”
It’s a fun evening out and a way to enjoy the zoo, but the event is, at its core, a fundraiser. For the second year in a row all the proceeds will go towards Project Carnivora, the Valley Zoo’s refurbishment of its snow leopard and Canadian lynx habitats. This year attendees will be able to see the habitats under construction. They’re positioned right by the entrance of the zoo, so once finished these cold-weather big cats will be the first animals visitors will see and learn about.
Project Carnivora isn’t the only revitalization project the zoo is undertaking, they’re also replanting grass and other plant life as part of the Aspen Parkland reforestation project. This means that the musical entertainment will no longer be able to use the amphitheater like it has in the past. “We’re trying something a little bit different where we’re going to have street-style performers. We’ll have an acoustic performer by the urban farm and the pandas, or somebody singing or playing guitar up by the carousel,” Picardal says.
There’s plenty carrying over from previous years even though the music is more spread out. Picardal says that some of the most popular Zoo Brew events are the animal talks, where zookeepers tell an audience facts about some of the zoo’s furry or scaly residents during activities like otter feedings or meerkat beer pong. (Don’t worry, it’s with Red Solo Cups filled with meerkat-appropriate grub).
Also returning from previous years: plenty of breweries that sign up as sponsors or are trying out attending the event for one of the three nights as a newcomer. Some of the larger breweries and distilleries donate 100 per cent of their profits to the zoo, while other, smaller operations split the proceeds or have other arrangements. Picardal says the zoo is happy for the support and wants to help their partners however they can.
Edmonton-based companies like Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company and Campio Brewing Co. are among the regulars attendees are familiar with, but Picardal says there are returning companies from all over Alberta.
“Vermillion-based Copper Cork Distillery came last year for one date to try it out, and they loved it. This year they’re coming back for all three,” he says. “It’s nice to be able to give them an opportunity where there’s no pressure, you can come to one event and just see how it is.”
The first Zoo Brew night for 2026 is June 20, followed by July 18 and August 21. Tickets cost $33.50 and are on sale now, event is 18+.
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Rd NW, Edmonton | buildingourzoo.com
