Local breweries featured at Brew at the Zoo

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The Brew at Simmzy’s Burbank served a special brew called Hibiscus Pale, with ingredients chosen by the Los Angeles Zoo American Black bear Ranger, at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Specially crafted for the event, the beer had notes of hibiscus flowers and honey, ingredients chosen by the black bear a few weeks back. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Miranda Dominguez, 29 of San Dimas, takes a sip of The Brew at Simmzy’s Burbank special brew called Hibiscus Pale, with ingredients chosen by the Los Angeles Zoo American Black bear Ranger, at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Specially crafted for the event, the beer had notes of hibiscus flowers and honey, ingredients chosen by the bear a few weeks back. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Enjoying The Brew at Simmzy’s Burbank special brew called Hibiscus Pale, with ingredients chosen by the Los Angeles Zoo American Black bear Ranger, is Miranda Dominguez, 29 of San Dimas, second from right, at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Specially crafted for the event, had notes of hibiscus flowers and honey, ingredients chosen by the bear a few weeks back. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Verdugo West Brewing Co. from Burbank served a Gigil Rice Pilsner to Moo Miller, right, of Long Beach, at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Gigil is a pilsner style beer that uses 20% puffed Jasmine rice as part of the grist. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Moo Miller, of Long Beach, tries the Gigil Rice Pilsner from the Verdugo West Brewing Co., of Burbank, at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Gigil is a pilsner style beer that uses 20% puffed Jasmine rice as part of the grist. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Some of the 4,000 participants head into the zoo at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Some of the 4,000 participants line up to sample brew from Latitude 33 at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Anna Lee, left, and Kandee Escobar, both 33 and from L.A., pose with a gift from the 99Â¬Â¢ store at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Emilie Bartels, 37 of L.A., tries the Apple Ale served by Four Sons Brewing, from Huntington Beach, at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Thousands of tiny beer mugs with the event’s logo were set out on tables for attendees at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Black Crystal Wolf Kids performs at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Brew server Ashley Ladd, from Transplants Brewing in Lancaster, strikes a pose before getting busy at the tap at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Boombox Heroes, performing 80’s hits, rocks at the annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo, on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.The event was sold out and those in attendance had a chance to try brews from about 40 breweries. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

By Anthony Clark Carpio

Aug. 10, 2018 2:50 PM PT

More than 40 breweries, including a few from Burbank, were pouring their latest creations during the Brew at the L.A. Zoo event in Griffith Park on Friday.

Verdugo West Brewing Co. and Simmzy’s Burbank were among the craft breweries scattered throughout the park, where attendees walked around with commemorative taster glasses to test out the beers available.

Chris Walowski, head brewer at Verdugo West, said it was the brewery’s second outing to the event during the roughly 18 months the business has been open.

“We always like working with a nonprofit, and we like the L.A. Zoo,” he said. “They’re close neighbors to us, so we always want to support them. Plus, a lot of the people that attend that event live close by, so it’s a good marketing opportunity for us.”

On tap for Verdugo West that afternoon were three of its tried-and-true brews. There was the Trustworthy IPA; Gigil Pils, a rice-based pilsner that uses 20% puffed jasmine rice; and the Pool Noodle witbier, a slightly tangy beer that Walowski said was good to have on a hot summer day.

Walowski said he likes going to beer festivals such as the Brew at the L.A. Zoo because of the overwhelming support local breweries give to various nonprofits and organizations.

“We go to beer festivals or donate our beer to local nonprofits almost every weekend,” he said. “It’s nice to hang out with all the other brewers, donate our time and interact with our customers.”

Verdugo West’s brewery and taproom is at 156 W. Verdugo Ave., while Simmzy’s Burbank is located 3000 W. Olive Ave.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio