{"id":246858,"date":"2026-07-18T21:34:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T21:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/246858\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T21:34:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T21:34:28","slug":"classic-harley-davidson-hosts-return-of-full-sized-pints-for-pups-in-berks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/246858\/","title":{"rendered":"Classic Harley\u2011Davidson hosts return of full-sized Pints for Pups in Berks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The perimeter of the Classic Harley\u2011Davidson building in Bern Township was nearly ringed Saturday by a dog\u2011friendly mash\u2011up of craft beer, live music, local vendors and nonstop canine socializing \u2014 all aimed at supporting lifesaving care for animals in need.<\/p>\n

After more than a half\u2011dozen years of smaller, traveling versions of the Pints for Pups block\u2011party fundraiser, Humane Pennsylvania returned the event to its original large\u2011venue format last year at the Danielle Ruiz\u2011Murphy Center for Animal Welfare and Dog Park in Exeter Township.<\/p>\n

But that site proved too small for the roughly 200 attendees, said Karel Minor, Humane Pennsylvania president and CEO.<\/p>\n

When scouting for a new home, organizers didn\u2019t have to look far. Classic Harley\u2011Davidson had already hosted stops on the mini\u2011Pints for Pups tour.<\/p>\n

\"KarelKarel Minor, president and CEO of Humane Pennsylvania, organized Pints for Pups at Classic Harley Davidson on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n

The dealership is accustomed to large crowds \u2014 its expansive parking lot and outdoor space made it an easy fit, Minor said. The business even supplied tents that kept guests dry during passing showers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re friends with the folks who work here,\u201d Minor said. \u201cThey\u2019re such a good sponsor. They recognize that they\u2019re helping us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event\u2019s roots stretch back more than two decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started it in 2005 as part of our auction,\u201d Minor said, noting that the organization introduced the concept of a craft beer fundraising festival to Berks County. \u201cIt got so big in the third year we split it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

That shift proved beneficial: holding more frequent events raised as much money as one large annual festival. But, Minor said, it wasn\u2019t as fun as having everyone together in one place.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s three\u2011hour fundraiser kicked off at noon with cover songs performed under a dedicated tent by the rock band Perfect Strangers.<\/p>\n

It drew hundreds of beer lovers, dog lovers and plenty who proudly identified as both. Walk\u2011up admission was $50 for general admission and $30 for designated drivers; advance online tickets were $40 and $20, and $75 for VIP access.<\/p>\n

Every dollar \u2014 from tickets to vendor fees \u2014 funnels directly into Humane Pennsylvania\u2019s mission to provide shelter, medical care, enrichment and second chances for animals across the region.<\/p>\n

Guests filled souvenir pint glasses with brews from Saucony Creek Brewing Co. in Kutztown, Hershey\u2011based Tr\u00f6egs Independent Brewing Co., Downingtown\u2011based Victory Brewing Co. and other regional breweries. Guests could also sample an array of cocktails, as well as cuisine from a nearby food truck.<\/p>\n

\"ThanThan Wright and Terri McCarthy-Wright of Lucky Leprechaun Winery near Lenhartsville support Pints for Pups at Classic Harley Davidson on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n

At one vendor table under the main tent, Teresa McCarthy\u2011Wright of Lucky Leprechaun Vineyard & Winery poured samples while her husband, Than Wright, chatted with visitors.<\/p>\n

Their family\u2011owned winery near Lenhartsville launched a decade ago and opened its Hamburg tasting room seven years ago.<\/p>\n

McCarthy\u2011Wright first attended Pints for Pups nearly 20 years ago as a participant. She and her husband also raise seeing\u2011eye puppies and expect to receive their eighth later this summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that has to do with animals, we always look for those events to support,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"DavidShowing their model Boston terriers Millie and Jake, who appears on the cover of the brochure for Humane Pennsylvania, are David and Lina Myers of Fleetwood during Pints for Pups at Classic Harley Davidson on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n

Among the crowd was Lina Myers of Fleetwood, wearing a T\u2011shirt that declared, \u201cLife is better with dogs.\u201d Her two Boston terriers, Jake and Millie, trotted happily at her side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to attend every one,\u201d Myers said. \u201cAnd we like beer. That helps.\u201d<\/p>\n

She and her husband grabbed tacos from a nearby food truck.<\/p>\n

Two local couples \u2014 Josh and Laura Auman of Douglassville and Jess and Melissa Yourkavitch of Mount Penn \u2014 sipped craft beer around a cocktail table. Both families are devoted Golden Retriever owners.<\/p>\n

\"RaisingRaising a pint are, from left, Josh and Laura Auman of Douglassville and Jess and Melissa Yourkavitch of Mount Penn during Pints for Pups at Classic Harley Davidson on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all dog people, and we like to support the foundation,\u201d Jess Yourkavitch said. The group returns each year not just for the cause, but for the camaraderie.<\/p>\n

Minor said that while beer festivals are everywhere now, Humane Pennsylvania aims to make Pints for Pups, above all, fun for visitors and for the organization\u2019s volunteer staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a beer thing exclusively,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s fun. You can bring your dog. It\u2019s family\u2011friendly. I like our bands and our merchandise. Events are great, but if it\u2019s not fun, there\u2019s no point in doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CrowdsCrowds sample the brews during Pints for Pups at Classic Harley Davidson on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (BILL UHRICH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n

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