A Wild Collaboration: Cinderlands Beer Company and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Beverages inspired by Zoo animals set for release

April 28, 2025

Cinderlands Beer Company and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announce a wild collaboration for 2025, presenting two wildlife-themed beverages inspired by Zoo residents. The partnership offers both organizations a unique way of engaging with the Pittsburgh community both at home and at large with fun, collaborative opportunities, with special pop-up events scheduled throughout the year.

In 2024, Cinderlands launched Lewis, a top seller and fan favorite. Named after the Zoo’s sociable resident giraffe, Lewis, the beverage is a hazy IPA that is light and fluffy on the palate with deliciously tropical fruity notes like ripe pineapple and bright lime zest. At a crushable 5.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), Lewis is perfect for walking around the Zoo and appreciating the beauty and diversity of nature. Lewis Pale Ale is now available at the Zoo, all Cinderlands locations, and most fine retailers in Western Pennsylvania.

With the success of Lewis, Cinderlands and the Zoo are now pleased to premier Ruby’s Red Raspberry Tea, named after Ruby, the Zoo’s beloved red panda mascot. A specialty brew of Cinderlands Beer Company’s hard tea line, Cindi’s Hard Mountain Tea, Ruby’s tea is steam-brewed and fizz-free with real iced tea and natural raspberry and lemon flavor. An ABV of 6.5% gives the drink an extra kick and is poised to make this summer at the Zoo especially tasty. The hard tea is set for release the week of April 28. (article continues below ⇓)

“The partnership with Cinderlands is a natural fit with the Pittsburgh Zoo’s strategic goal to bring together diverse populations to achieve our conservation mission. Raising awareness of our incredible species on a drink label offers an opportunity to reach a new audience with our conservation message,” says Ron Gruca, Chief Advancement Officer of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium serves alcoholic beverages at several locations on grounds during general daytime operations, including a specialty spot, the Beer Den, that was formerly a home to resident bears. The Zoo also hosts 21+ events, such as ZooBrew on Saturday, August 9. First up, however, will be Summer Safari on Friday, June 20, with tickets now available on pittsburghzoo.org. Cinderlands is featured as the Premier Beer Sponsor of the event.

“The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is a storied institution, and we view our partnership as a special opportunity to deepen our connection with the city that we love while supporting education and wildlife conservation,” says Jamie Warden, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Cinderlands Beer Co.

To kick off this special partnership, Cinderlands will host a special happy hour welcoming all to join in on the fun at their Warehouse location in the Strip District on May 1, from 4-7 p.m. There, guests will enjoy drink specials while the Zoo team will be on site selling discounted tickets to one of summer’s hottest events: Summer Safari!

The fun doesn’t stop there! On May 8, May 15 and June 14, guests to the Zoo can expect to see Cinderlands sampling both products on grounds and on Sunday May 18th, Cinderlands Wexford Taproom will host One Wild Sunday, a family-friendly event with a special meet and greet with real animals from the Zoo plus plenty of fun activities to keep the kids entertained while the adults sip and savor Lewis and Ruby Tea! A portion of proceeds from sales during One Wild Sunday plus special contesting at various distributors around town will provide extra support to the Zoo and conservation efforts!

Follow along with all upcoming events on our socials: the Zoo, @pghzoo, and Cinderlands, @cinderlandsbeer.

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Photos from the happy hour event at Cinderlands Warehouse on Thursday, May 1.