Six “undead” visit Benicia Main Street for craft beer samples at last year’s Zombie Brew Crawl. (Courtesy photo)

The Benicia Herald has received word that in just three days’ time, zombies will be roaming downtown Benicia in search of their favorite craving. No, it is not brains or flesh but rather craft beer.

Benicia Main Street’s Zombie Brew Crawl, in which participants go from downtown merchant to downtown merchant to sample craft beers, makes its return Saturday following a successful inaugural event last year. Participants were encouraged— but not required— to dress up like zombies, and many complied, Benicia Main Street Executive Director Nancy Martinez said.

“It went extremely well,” she said. “We were overwhelmed with the amount of people that dressed in zombie attire.”

Participating businesses this year include many of the same participants as last year such as Lindsay Art Glass, Jordan Real Estate, Heritage Pantry and Spice, The Vintage Owl, Angel Heart 4 You, Studio 41, Romancing the Home, DOTS Consignment and Benicia Main Street as well as new participants Dianna’s Bakery and Cafe, Narcissus Hair Salon, Spotless Carpet Cleaning and Zeppelin Comics. The businesses will be pouring everything from India pale ales to brown ales to seasonal brews such as those of the Oktoberfest variety. Among the participating breweries are Fairfield’s Heretic Brewing Company.

“It’s a good assortment of beers,” Martinez said.

The businesses will also be providing snacks for participants to nosh on as they sip their beers. For instance, Benicia Main Street will be serving See’s Candies, which it regularly sells at its location.

“We’re the first stop because this is where they get their sampler glass (and) passports, so we try to promote our See’s Candy,” Martinez said.

Once again, dressing as a zombie is not a requirement to take part but is highly encouraged.

“The weather should be mild,” Martinez said. “We’re just hoping everybody comes out dressed in attire, but we don’t want them to have to feel forced into doing it. It’s all about having a good time and enjoying the fall season.”

Single tickets to participate in this event are $25 in advance, but the price will increase to $35 on the day of the event. Participants must be ages 21 or older. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m at Benicia Main Street, located 90 First St. A sampling glass, map of tasting locations and identification wristband will be provided to each ticket holder upon check-in. A limit of 300 tickets will be sold and can be purchased at Benicia Main Street or online at www.beniciamainstreet.org. For more information, call 745-9791.

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