The Devils Juice!

I always have a beer and some cake during a day at the zoo, which at Chester now involves getting the cake from one outlet and walking to Oakfield House for the beer component.

I also ran into the two people karoocheetah spotted that bank holiday, although in my case the one smashed his face into the pathway just by the Chinese Aviaries. It's an unusual sight though.

Many German zoos provide beer from all all the refreshment kiosks (not just bars) and some really do have their own breweries and branded ale.
Brum said:
Summer afternoon, the garden by the manor house and a long walk to get there...
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Apologies for being pedantic, but there isn't a manor house at Chester Zoo, no matter what their marketing department says.
 
SMR said:
Apologies for being pedantic, but there isn't a manor house at Chester Zoo, no matter what their marketing department says.
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It's cool, I always thought Oakfield House was the manor house but hey, zoos like to embelish things a little. :)
Still a very nice set up especially with the outdoor bar in summer! I often wondered about German zoos as I know that they sell beer in most fast food shops over there, thought it might be the same in zoos. Would love to try some zoo-branded beer.
 
Oakfield was never a manor house, just a large estate (gatehouse, main house, stables). For some reason marketing has adopted the word "manor", even though it clearly says "Oakfield House" above the door.

Either way things are going to be changing there, it's soon going to be returned to a state similar to that of the period so the café part might close and they're clearly running it down in order to prepare visitors for that. The so-called curator of horticulture also wanted to remove all the flowers from around the terrace, but given all the events that take place there, perhaps some sense will prevail.
 
SMR said:
Oakfield was never a manor house, just a large estate (gatehouse, main house, stables). For some reason marketing has adopted the word "manor", even though it clearly says "Oakfield House" above the door.

Either way things are going to be changing there, it's soon going to be returned to a state similar to that of the period so the café part might close and they're clearly running it down in order to prepare visitors for that. The so-called curator of horticulture also wanted to remove all the flowers from around the terrace, but given all the events that take place there, perhaps some sense will prevail.
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I'd be quite annoyed if they do close it since it's situated at the far end of the zoo from the car park and after walking that far it's a very nice place to relax. And why would they want to get rid of the flowers? They give the area a sense of tranquility. :(
 
Oh dear I saw the title of this thread and thought it was going to be about artificial insemination of Tasmanian devils...
 
Chester Zoo beer is potentially a decent little money earner for Chester thinking about it, everyone is a winner. Maybe teh zoo would be interestd, maybe they wouldn't?


I know a guy who has a small brewery and I am going to discuss this with him.

Pro's

1. Chester would be the first (probably) zoo to have their product branded on an ale, a unique selling point.

2. Profits from sales would be a welcome addition.

3. It could be sold in the bar, gift shop and even off site with proceeds of sales going to the brewery and the zoo and everyone wins.

Brew about 4 different ales, label them up with catchy names (easy with you guys choosing). They can be sold indvidually or as gift sets with glasses etc,. It would suit me as a Christmas present over a pair of socks :p


You could even call one 'Devils Juice' with a Tasmanian Devil on the label - not sure Pygathrix would know what to do with it though :eek:
 
The only time I've seen alcohol at a zoo was during a their Zoo Brew. The one I attended was in Rochester, NY at Seneca Park Zoo. I think I may have only gotten one cup of beer, but felt weird drinking it there. I also worried for the animals seeing the drunk people around me. I was certain someone would try to get too close to an animal or throw their cups into the exhibit. But the zoo continues to have Zoo Brew monthly in the summer so they must have a handle on it. I always felt sorry for the person who got stuck cleaning up after the event. No one seemed to want to use the garbage cans to throw away their cups.

I also believe the zoo docents have a Madagascar event each summer and they come up with some unique names for their ales. I wish I could remember some.
 
Pootle said:
Brew about 4 different ales, label them up with catchy names (easy with you guys choosing). They can be sold indvidually or as gift sets with glasses etc,. It would suit me as a Christmas present over a pair of socks :p
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You want to have a word with karoocheetah, seems to have all the best ideas. Except for my personal favourite, Wobbly Wallaby!

And I'm really wishing I'd called this thread something other than "Devils Juice" now... :rolleyes:

It's also good to know that the Americans are partial to a tipple at the zoo as well! :D
 
mstickmanp said:
Yup, and if I'm not mistaken there is a limit of how many an individual can buy to prevent people from getting drunk.
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This is the best way to create a middle ground! Feel free to have a drink, but there is a limit and if that is successfully imposed then why not have a beer?

P.s is anyone else tickled by the differences in opnion on alcohol by the british and the americans?

To prove this point my father who is over 50 years olds was refused service at san diego sea world even though he had a british driving license and his passport. Because the 18 year old kid had to see american identification!
 
lee456 said:
This is the best way to create a middle ground! Feel free to have a drink, but there is a limit and if that is successfully imposed then why not have a beer?

P.s is anyone else tickled by the differences in opnion on alcohol by the british and the americans?

To prove this point my father who is over 50 years olds was refused service at san diego sea world even though he had a british driving license and his passport. Because the 18 year old kid had to see american identification!
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I'm pretty sure that most Americans would accept a UK passport! Have you seen this video of Dave Gorman (comedian) explaining his new tatoo. Sort of backs up your point whilst showing the guy who ID'd your dad as a bit of a jobsworth!


Skip to about 2.20 if you're not familiar with his comedy routine! :D

EDIT:- Sorry if it's gone a bit off topic and also apologies for the bad language, don't watch it if you're easily offended by swearing!
I don't want to get in to any trouble. :(
 
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Pootle said:
You could even call one 'Devils Juice' with a Tasmanian Devil on the label - not sure Pygathrix would know what to do with it though :eek:
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There is already a very nice Tasmanian beer with thylacines on it:
 

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I had a quite nice beer made here in Texas a while back that is brewed to support conservation of native species. This one was called "Blind Salamander" and supported salamander conservation in the Texas Hill Country. Found it at my local beer store and not at a zoo or animal event.
 
I have recently discovered that there is a brewery in Keswick, Cumbria (UK) that supports the conservation of Red Squirrels too, so well done to them.

Another name for a zoo beer, could simply be "Zoo Brew" :)
 
I've been away for a few days and missed most of this thread, but I'm quite disappointed that no-one's suggested "Kangaroo P1ss" as a name yet ;)
 
I've thought of a couple of zoo-specific ones:-

Dudley Draught

Paignton Pale Ale

Sorry if they don't match the standards already set... :)
 
Going back to the start of this thread, I agree that it is quite civilised to be able to enjoy a beer as part of the zoo experience. As already pointed out, most German zoos serve beer at refreshment kiosks; indeed earlier this month I was sipping a lager at Leipzig Zoo while watching a sloth bear spend about 20 minutes rooting up turf looking for buried food. The opportunity to sit, drink (it does not have to be alchohol, of course, but a beer often hits the right spot) and watch. A cold lager while observing the birds using the oasis area in the Desert at Arnhem was another fond memory.

In the UK most of the larger collections sell some alcoholic beverages - indeed a few decades ago many had separate bars, but today with sensible consideration of drivers and changes in social drinking, most sales are at cafeteria or restaurant food outlets. This may not be the case through the USA, but I cannot forget my first visit to Busch Gardens many years ago where they were giving free Budweiser to all (adults) who wanted it!

Unlike the Eden Project, for example, which has its own real ale brewed, most UK zoos probably do not have the turn-over to make draught beer a viable proposition, but bottled beers would be. In response to Pootle "Chester would be the first (probably) zoo to have their product branded on an ale, a unique selling point." it has been done before. Marwell, for example, had Penguin Porter brewed :rolleyes:to raise funds and profile when Penguin World was developed about 15 years ago.
 
zooboy said:
Going back to the start of this thread, I agree that it is quite civilised to be able to enjoy a beer as part of the zoo experience. As already pointed out, most German zoos serve beer at refreshment kiosks; indeed earlier this month I was sipping a lager at Leipzig Zoo while watching a sloth bear spend about 20 minutes rooting up turf looking for buried food. The opportunity to sit, drink (it does not have to be alchohol, of course, but a beer often hits the right spot) and watch. A cold lager while observing the birds using the oasis area in the Desert at Arnhem was another fond memory.

In the UK most of the larger collections sell some alcoholic beverages - indeed a few decades ago many had separate bars, but today with sensible consideration of drivers and changes in social drinking, most sales are at cafeteria or restaurant food outlets. This may not be the case through the USA, but I cannot forget my first visit to Busch Gardens many years ago where they were giving free Budweiser to all (adults) who wanted it!

Unlike the Eden Project, for example, which has its own real ale brewed, most UK zoos probably do not have the turn-over to make draught beer a viable proposition, but bottled beers would be. In response to Pootle "Chester would be the first (probably) zoo to have their product branded on an ale, a unique selling point." it has been done before. Marwell, for example, had Penguin Porter brewed :rolleyes:to raise funds and profile when Penguin World was developed about 15 years ago.
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I have noticed that a lot of the older zoos do have specific bars and as I stated in my first post the best one in my opinion is Paignton. I really do enjoy a beer on a hot day, in the zoo or not! ;)
Glad to know I'm not the only one! :D
Anyone know what the situation is like on the other side of the world, Australia, New Zealand, S.E Asia?
 
I know Lowry park zoo and florida aquarium both celebrate october fest. its a big draw, ive been told and good fundraising event. if i remember right Lowry sells beer most of the week.
 
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