[ UPDATED WED SEPT 16, 2026 ]
We are elated to announce our new partnership as the official local craft brewery partner of The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. Starting June 3, 2025 patrons will have the unique opportunity to enjoy Otter Lager, a classic German style pilsner, and Tiger Trail Ale, an apricot fruited wheat ale, on tap at the restaurants throughout Zoo grounds, and also in beautiful 16oz cans designed by our great friend, Norfolk artist, Erik Leach. Look for these brand new brews at each of the restaurants around Zoo grounds as well as ready to go in the gift shop on your way out!
Otter Lager | 5.1% ABV
Otter Lager is the perfect beer to float along with on the lazy river. The use of Czech Saaz hops offer a beautiful bouquet of herbal and floral aromas that are reminiscent of a beautiful Virginia evening. So float along with an Otter Lager resting on your belly, as you take in everything the Virginia Zoo has to offer!
*This is a vegan and gluten-reduced brew.
Did you know North American river otters are native to Virginia, including our backyard in the Elizabeth River? Historically, otters were a rare sight in the river due to high levels of pollution. However, efforts to clean up this waterway have brought otters back! Take action to protect these amazing animals by joining the Elizabeth River Project’s Otter Spotter community science program to track them in local waterways.
(Fall 2026) Cassowary Chaos American IPA | 5.4% ABV
Malty, a bit juicy, a solid hop kick, and a touch of chaos. All the colors of the IPA rainbow in one brew, just like the feathers on a Cassowary. Get your claws into this can only in the taproom and at The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk!
Hops: Centennial, Amarillo
*Contains Wheat
Notes from the brewer :: Wild yet mild, piney, citrusy, wildflower vibes. A nice yellow gold with an ever so slight haze; wheat provides a nice head and mouthfeel.
Southern cassowaries are native to dense tropical rainforest habitats in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. In Australia, southern cassowaries face a variety of threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, collisions with vehicles, attacks by feral pigs and dogs, as well as introduced diseases. In Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, threats to the southern cassowary include hunting for subsistence, trade, and bride price gifts. You can help conserve southern cassowaries by visiting the Virginia Zoo! A portion of every general admission ticket sold is donated back to wildlife and habitat conservation efforts around the world.
(Summer 2025) Tiger Trail Ale | 5.3% ABV
A classic wheat ale light in body, full of flavor, and fruited with apricots, Tiger Trail Wheat Ale compliments any adventure. Whether you’re in hot Sumatra or cold Siberia, or even the ever perfect weather of the Virginia Zoo, this beer is perfect for those who want flavor with their adventure!
*This is a vegan brew but does contain a significant amount of wheat.
Malayan tigers are critically endangered across their limited native range in Malaysia and southern Thailand due to habitat loss. This habitat loss is primarily driven by increased demand for palm oil, an important preservative in products from Halloween candy to personal care items. You can conserve tigers and other rainforest animals, like toucans, by using the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)’s free app called PalmOil Scan to shop for products containing sustainably sourced palm oil!
(Fall 2025) Red Pandamonium Red Ale | 4.8% ABV
This classic Irish Red style ale pours a beautiful copper color as aromas of sweet caramel malt and just a touch of chocolate set the stage for your first sip. Toffee and slight caramel sweetness delight your taste buds and finish with a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel.
Red pandas are native to the Himalayas in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Their species is endangered with decreasing populations, and as few as 2,500 individuals remain in the wild. You can protect red pandas by visiting the Virginia Zoo, since a portion of every ticket sold is donated back to conservation efforts around the world! The Virginia Zoo even partners with the Red Panda Network, a global leader in efforts to save these iconic animals and their unique habitat.
Unlike typically territorial red pandas, Sunny always had a sense of adventure (and a wide palate for foods other than bamboo!). The Virginia Zoo and Elation Brewing like to think her wanderlust led her to a nomadic lifestyle of bouncing between Hampton Roads’ breweries and feeding on spent hops! In all seriousness, Sunny was a 19-month old red panda who unfortunately found her way out of her habitat at the Virginia Zoo in January 2017. Despite exhaustive search efforts, Sunny was never found. The Virginia Zoo has since made significant changes to their red panda habitat (as reflected in the blueprints in the background of the Red Pandemonium can art) to prevent another accident like this from happening again. Sunny is dearly missed, but her story has transformed her into a local legend! Where do you think Sunny is headed next?
(Spring 2026) Sun Squeezed Tangerine & Passionfruit Ale | 4.3% ABV
Official Launch :: Saturday April 4 only at The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk! Get the first tastes at our tent popped up in Fountain Plaza from 11am – 2pm on Saturday April 4.
This bright ale is loaded with crisp tangerine and passionfruit flavors and a bright and sunny disposition that will help you squeeze out every last bit of spring.
Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia, but in the 1980s, they gained exponential popularity in the exotic pet trade in the United States. Although these snakes have a docile temperament, they require highly specialized care and are not suitable as pets. Burmese pythons can live over 20 years, reach an average of 10 to 16 feet in length, and weigh over 100 pounds. Because of these characteristics, Burmese pythons require large, secure, and specialized enclosures to ensure their safety as well as the safety of their owners and the general public. Largely due to irresponsible pet owners releasing their snakes into the Florida Everglades, there are currently tens of thousands of invasive Burmese pythons decimating populations of endangered species like the Key Largo woodrat and the Key Largo cotton mouse. YOU can be a friend to native species and their habitats by properly researching pets before adopting or purchasing them and never releasing unwanted pets into the wild.
Cleo, the Virginia Zoo’s leucistic Burmese python Animal Ambassador who is pictured on the Sun Squeezed can, was confiscated from a restaurant in Virginia after authorities received reports that she was not being properly cared for. Upon confiscation, she was rehabilitated at another facility, became an Animal Ambassador, and later joined the Virginia Zoo family in 2017. Please note that the Virginia Zoo cannot take in animals that are not from another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility or otherwise approved by the association.
MEET THE ANIMALS!
Swing by the taproom on WED SEPT 30 at 4pm to see who will be visiting us for some special hangout time! Check social media stories for updates @elation.brewing
Hang out at the zoo with us!
In addition to sharing our brews, we are looking forward to working with the Zoo on all matters GREEN as we align on our missions to reduce our environmental impacts throughout our operations. Visit our pop-up tent at upcoming special events at the Zoo to get a taste of our Zoo Brews and your taster cup can go straight into the green bin provided by our friends at Tidewater Compost!
Find us at these upcoming events, and visit the Zoo website to purchase tickets:
SAT MAR 21 – Adult Night – Game On!
SAT APR 4 – Spring Beer Launch (Pop-Up Tasting Tent in Fountain Plaza) *FREE*
SAT JUN 13 – Pride Night
SAT JUL 18 – Adult Night
SAT AUG 29 – 125th Anniversary Party
SAT SEPT 26 – Fall Fest & Fall Beer Launch
MORE ELATING NEWS::
We are excited to share our newly expanded Mug Club with members of the Virginia Zoo throughout the month of May 2026! Members of the Zoo can visit our taproom on North Colley Ave in Norfolk, about 2 miles from the Zoo, to enjoy these elatable perks:
- 20 oz. pours in an exclusive VEP mug!
- Early Access to New Releases
- 15% off your tab (excludes pizza)
- $1 Off Crowlers
- $2 Off Growlers
- 15% Off 6-Packs
- 15% Off Merch
- Mug Club Night – EVERY MONDAY Receive an extra $1 off every pint (Elation drafts only)
- A beer for your birthday! (Coupon pops up on the first day of your birthday month)
- 15% off at Voyager Coffee
- A coffee for your birthday!
In turn, members of The Elated People’s Mug Club can enjoy free admission to The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk by showing their VEP Card via our new app at the front gate from May 1 through May 31, 2026!
The Virginia Zoo, located in Norfolk, Virginia, is home to more than 700 exceptional animals representing over 150 fascinating species. Founded in 1901 and residing on 53 beautifully landscaped acres, the Virginia Zoo has demonstrated a commitment to saving and protecting the world’s wildlife by inspiring a passion for nature and taking conservation action at home and around the world. The Virginia Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized as a global leader in education, recreation, science, wildlife conservation, and animal care and welfare. For more than a century, the Zoo has connected adults, families and school children with the natural world and its wildlife. To learn more, visit www.virginiazoo.org.
