With spring bloom more and more beer events, some of which allow you to drink for a good cause.

On Saturday, it's the Erie Micro Brew Festival. Tickets are $25 (or $30 at the door) for each of two sessions -- 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. -- during which you and up to 499 others per session can sample the wares of more than 20 brewers from the region and beyond, including those of the host, The Brewerie at Union Station. Plus, you take home the souvenir glass. Designated drivers get snacks and soft drinks for $5. For tickets and more information, visit www.wqln.org/events/microbrew.asp or call 814-454-2200. Proceeds benefit WQLN Public Broadcasting.

Brewski Fest returns to Seven Springs Mountain resort April 25 and 26.

In its seventh year, the perennial sellout event, held in the Ski Lodge, features regional brewers and their wares, as well as music and food. "Fest-of-ale" hours are 7 to 11 p.m. both days, with the buffet being served between 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Admission is $39 for Friday and $45 Saturday and includes the buffet, seminars and the obligatory complimentary souvenir glass. Spend the night for $109 per room (double occupancy; call 866-437-1300, and you'll need your fest tickets at check-in). Get tickets by calling 866-703-7625 or visiting www.7springs.com.

It's not open to the public, but the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania is holding its 72nd annual convention and trade show in Pittsburgh April 26 to 28. Brewer, importers, suppliers and others in the hospitality industry will be converging on Station Square for the gathering.

From 4 to 8 p.m. May 17, the Altoona Curve baseball team hosts at Blair County Ballpark a "Pints for Pets Brewfest" to benefit the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society. Tickets are $25 ($30 at the door) and include a cooking-with-beer demonstration by the Altoona Hotel, music and a glass, and you can buy ballpark concession food; visit www.pintsforpets.com or call 1-877-99-CURVE.

And speaking of beer and animals: Coming May 24 is "Kayaks, Tunes, and Brews" at the Adventure Sports Center International in McHenry, Md., overlooking Deep Creek Lake. Proceeds from tickets -- $20 at the door -- will be used to build a new animal adoption center for HART for Animals Inc.; nearby Wisp Resort will provide not only food and drink and entertainment but also access to its ski lift with views of the entire county, the mountain coaster, buggies, mountain scooters and a climbing wall. There'll also be many children's activities, dog and cat areas, even events for family pets. Visit www.hartforanimals.org or call 1-301-334-4278 (HART).