Six black and white Colobus monkeys were let loose on boxes of fruit and hops at the Dickerson Park Zoo Tuesday, in an attempt to pick the perfect ingredients for a partnered concoction, which will be released at the Zoo on Sept. 16 for the park's “Brew at the Zoo” Event.
The dehydrated pineapple was the number one choice among the primates, with all six monkeys fighting over the fruit. Apart from the hanging hollow coconuts that zookeepers filled with plants, hops and wheat were the second most popular choice among the monkeys. Expect the brew to have a hoppy, fruity base.
The Africa-based primates usually enjoy a mix of fruits, leaves, buds and blossoms in their diet. They seemed to love the delectable fruits like pineapple, which they don't have access to all the time, Tracy Campbell, Head Keeper Africa Area at the Zoo, said Tuesday. The monkeys darted for the boxes of pineapple as soon as the gates opened, leaving hops, barley and some wheat mostly untouched in boxes scattered around the ground.
This year's partners are Show-Me Brewing, Springfield's home brew supply store, and Old Wire Brewing, a brewery based in Battlefield with a long history in the Ozarks. The new concoction will be handed out starting Sept. 16 at this year's Brew at the Zoo event. Beer will be served throughout the night, which is scheduled to end at 9 p.m.
General admission tickets are still available on the Zoo's website for $50. VIP tickets, available at $90, will give you access to all of the event plus breweries and food trucks starting at 5 p.m. The event is open to patrons aged 21, who must show proof of age. Early access starts at 5 p.m., with last call at 8:30. The event is a rain or shine, so no refunds will be given.
