It looks like the Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest in the nation, recognized how badly groups want to drink beer and learn about animals.

The zoo’s Summer Ale Fest has been a popular event for years. Last year, the zoo added a fall festival, Oktobearfest. I attended the first festival with my fiancée and a group of friends. This year, we returned Sept. 15 for another night of beer tasting and animal viewing.

Like most beer festivals, there are more beer and cider options than any one person can rightly try in the course of the evening. The tasting cup was extremely similar to 2017’s inaugural one, down to having the year of the first Oktobearfest in place of an updated year. It might have been cool to collect these cups from each year, but I can’t complain.

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of my favorite places because it is obvious the keepers care about the animals they care for and the work they do. Conservation and animal care is the primary goal, and it is clear, given the habitats of the animals and the fact that a lot of the animals are often away from public view at their own discretion. Going to the zoo during the evening is an awesome experience. Many of the animals usually sleeping during normal operational hours, like the red p andas, are much more lively in the evenings.

Apart from the awesome animals and the flowing beer, Saturday evening provided the chance to connect with some good friends who I have not talked with since high school.

Aside from reconnecting with old pals and spending quality time with an entire group of friends, the best part of the zoo, in my opinion, is always the gorillas. On Saturday, Louis, made famous on social media due to his proclivity to walk on his feet to keep his hands clean, was sleeping in his regular hammock.

The zoo also featured many different breweries. While it is not easy to pick a favorite, I can safely say I tasted beer from many different breweries. When pumpkin beer was available, that was my go-to.

2018’s Oktobearfest might have just wrapped up, but I am already looking forward to next year’s fall beer festival.

— Erich Martin, assistant editor