Drink Beer To Save This Adorable Red Panda

Who doesn't love helping cute, fluffy animals? Now, add some booze to the mix and you've got yourself a deal. Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago has come up with a new and innovative way to feed Tarrei the red panda the $4,500 worth of bamboo that he eats every year. The zoo will be partnering with DryHop Brewery, which has created a new brew called "I'm Not a Racoon!" Starting May 7th, every time you buy a pint, proceeds will go directly to feeding this little guy.

"We discussed brewing a beer for the polar bears, but the zoo determined that there was a greater need to help the red panda,"  brewery owner Greg Shuff told The Daily Meal. "We haven't seen him yet, but we plan to pay him a visit once the beer is ready. We'd love to cheers to him!"

The beer itself is a red saison, made with ingredients inspired by the panda's diet, brewed with mulberry leaves and then rounded out with tangerine and citrus notes from the use of mandarina hops and lemongrass in the brewing process. 

Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi