Black panther, black beer draw crowd to brewery

Navi, a 2-year-old black panther, growled and clawed at her cage to a captive audience late Saturday afternoon at Upland Brewery. The cat was the guest star at a fundraiser to help preserve other exotic felines. \nMore than 150 people filled Upland Brewery’s small patio Saturday afternoon for the new release of their black lager beer, “Schwarz Bier,” and to help raise funds for the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. The festivities, which included four live bands and the black panther, began at 4 p.m. \nUpland Brewery Company is a local brewery that has been dedicated to serving Indiana for 10 years. Head Brewer Caleb Staton said he is excited about their new “Schwarz Bier.” The beer is allowed to ferment for about three weeks, then “lagered” and aged for another three, Staton said, giving it its distinct color and flavor.\n“We always try to add new styles, and this is to celebrate Schwarztag for The Exotic Feline Rescue Center,” he said. \nA pint of the new beer costs $3.50, and 50 cents of every sale goes to the center. \n“Anything helps,” said Jean Herrberg, assistant director of the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. “When Upland called us and said they were going to help us out with this fundraiser, we were thrilled.” \nWhile many people were sampling the new lager beer, they were also watching in awe at the 2-year-old, caged black panther. The upkeep of these exotic cats depends heavily on fundraisers to pay for their food and health fees. \nUpland Brewery restaurant manager Ryan Harvey was impressed by the turnout, considering the cold, rainy weather, he said. Upland Brewery hosts a variety of functions, and with their recent expansion of their brewery and equipment, they are now better equipped to do so.\n “So far, we have made more beer in 2007 than all of 2006 combined,” Harvey said. \nThe Exotic Feline Rescue Center, located in Center Point, Ind., is open to the public and always accepting donations, Herrberg said. The total amount of funds raised has not been tallied yet, but with live music and a live animal, people came from near and far to taste the beer and donate money. \n“I’m in Bloomington because of the Dalai Lama and I read about this event online,” said Diane Garrity, a Cincinnati resident. “The food and beer is really tasty and I’d definitely come back.”