Saturday, the beer drinking will get ruff at the Pints for Pets Brewfest, a fundraiser for the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.

The craft beer-tasting fest runs over two sessions -- noon to 3 and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. -- at Altoona's Blair County Ballpark, home of the Curve baseball team.

The first one last year, with one session, had to turn away people and still made $40,000 for the society, says one of the organizers, Bill Kroft, brewer for Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing in Duncansville.

He says representatives are coming from more than 30 breweries (interesting ones I know as well as some interesting ones I don't, such as Bavarian Barbarian Brewing in Williamsport and Roy Pitz Brewing from Chambersburg), and nearly 30 more will be represented by distributors.

Tickets (for those 21 and older) are $30 or $35 at the door, and food will be available from the ballpark concession stands. For more, visit pintsforpets.com.

Microbrewers Fest postponed

The annual North Side tradition that is the Pennsylvania Microbrewers Fest has been postponed. It was to be June 6. The Penn Brewery says it will be rescheduled, but refunds will be made for tickets already purchased. For more information, call Pam at 412-237-9400, ext. 100.

Beer & Gear Fest

June 20 mixes craft beer and a 5K trail run at eighth Beer & Gear Fest. The run's at 1 p.m. and the fest -- with tastings, music, gear and more -- runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Entry/beer sampling fee is $15. For more and to register, call Wilderness Voyageurs at 800-272-4141 or visit wilderness-voyageurs.com/beerandgear.html.

Great European Beerfest

Right here in the city, in the parking lot of the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium in Friendship/East Liberty, will be the Great European Beerfest June 27-28.

The Edge bills it as "6,000 Square Feet of Beer," more than 100 varieties imported from Belgium, Germany and other countries ($50 per session; sharpedgebeer.com).

Keg Ride

And speaking of beer blowouts, East End Brewing Co.'s Scott Smith says his annual Pedal Pale Ale Keg Ride, from his Homewood brewery to the South Side's Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe on May 15, drew more than 500 (!) riders. He's got photos and video on his site, eastendbrewing.com.