Long before becoming a huge, raging wine geek, I was well on my way to beer geekdom. While my fraternity brothers were knocking back cases of cheap beer (Keystone Ice and Milwaukee’s Best were favorites) I would scrape together every last nickel I could and buy whatever obscure microbrew I could find at the local beer distributor.

I still enjoy good, artisanal-style beers on occasion, especially those from local producers like Southampton Publick House and Oomegang Brewery and that’s why I’m interested in the Long Island Beer Festival, which is being held on May 12 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, NY.

For $45, you get unlimited beer samples and food from a bunch of great breweries and restaurants as well as live music and guest speakers like guest speakers including Garrett Oliver brewer of Brooklyn Brewery and Phil Markowski from Southampton Publick House.

Best of all, proceeds go to North Shore Animal League, the largest no-kill animal shelter in the world. Plus, designated driver tickets will be available for $10 at the door.

Get your tickets…and make sure you find one of those designated drivers.