Get ready for the biggest beer weekend of the summer

Summer was made for drinking beer — or maybe beer was made to drink during summer. Either way, with the dog days of August nearly upon us, the time for sipping on craft suds is nigh. And there’s one weekend in particular with some of the year’s best beer events on tap.

Friday, Aug. 7 — Brew at the Zoo

Kick off the beer-soaked weekend at the fifth annual Brew at the Los Angeles Zoo on Friday night. The event mixes local craft breweries, “pub style” snacks and live bands in one of the most unique venues in the city.

Past years have seen long lines and a limited selection of breweries pouring at the event, but the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association took over organizing the event last year, and it has expanded the space and the number of breweries attending.

There are over 50 local and regional craft breweries, along with a handful of wineries, cider companies and a few miscellaneous beverage-makers scheduled to pour at the festival. From longtime attendees including Firestone Walker Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewery and Lagunitas, to new local favorites like Three Weavers Brewery, King Harbor Brewing and Phantom Carriage, there will be plenty of offerings.

Ticket prices are up $5 this year to $50 for general admission (and $25 for a designated driver ticket), and there is now a VIP ticket available with early admission to the buffet of snacks at Reggie’s Bistro, some special drink pours and even beer floats. There are food stands set up throughout the zoo selling snacks alongside the multiple stages for the bands and DJs.

Brew at the Zoo sells out every year, and tickets can be purchased here (GLAZA members get $5 off general admission). 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, (323) 644-4200.

Saturday, Aug. 8 — The Full Pint eighth anniversary

Craft beer news website The Full Pint is celebrating eight years of covering the booming beer scene with one of its signature blowouts featuring a tap list of rare and exciting brews from across the country. This year, the party is taking over Echo Park’s The Lost Knight pub, and it’s a can’t-miss event for local beer geeks. The party begins at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and admission is just $10.

In addition to some specialty beers made just for the event (like Danny’s Danker Tanker — an even hoppier version of Hop Tanker from El Segundo Brewing Co.), you’ll be able to get a taste of Stone Brewing Co.’s 19th anniversary Thunderstruck IPA before its national release, and kegs from breweries rarely seen in Los Angeles (like Cellarmaker’s Coffee and Cigarettes imperial stout, The Rare Barrel’s Home Sour Home and one of the only kegs of cult favorites Sante Adairius Rustic Ales to be tapped in Los Angeles).

The last few Full Pint anniversary parties (held at 38 Degrees in Alhambra) have been beer-geek wish fulfillment, and this year looks to keep up that trend. Check out the full tap list here; tickets are available at the door (there will probably be a line). 1538 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 278-0408.

Sunday, Aug. 9 — Blue Palms’ seventh anniversary

Hollywood beer bar Blue Palms throws one of the best parties of the summer for its anniversary, and this year, nearly 100 special brews are lined up for the event. The pub, adjacent to the Music Box Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, fills the outdoor area beside the theater with tents and a stage for the party, and a $60 general admission ticket gets you 20 drink tickets good for a 3-ounce pour of the specialty beers.

If the sun and August heat get unbearable, you can escape into the cool and dark confines of the theater for the “core beer bar,” offering pours of lighter, more refreshing beers that won’t even cost you a drink ticket.

Bar snacks are available to order from the pub, and there are games (remember skeeball?) and special commemorative cigars available. There are lots of sour beers on the menu, alongside big barrel-aged stouts and lots of fan favorites from Russian River Brewery, Firestone Walker and Modern Times. Check out the Facebook event page for a full tap list.

The anniversary party begins at noon Sunday, Aug. 9, and tickets are available in advance (don’t forget your sunscreen for this one). 6124 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 464-BEER.