(WA) Hop Scotch Spring Beer & Scotch Festival, Represents Its Namesake and More.

Last Saturday, while many of you stared up at the blue sky and shunned all manner of intelligence to go recreational, we paid the Fremont Studio a visit to check out Hops Scotch.

The Hop Scotch, as it’s known, is a festival that featured over 50 beers, side-by-side with wine, scotch, whiskey, and tequila. As a happy side effect the producers of this event collaborated with Theo Chocolate to create numerous alcohol and chocolate pairings. Additionally it wasn’t just about beverages for adults as the festival also boasted cigars by Rain City tobacconists, Kind natural energy bars, and Honest beverages.

For the average festival goer this is a great opportunity for each and every person’s enthusiasm to be fulfilled. For us it gave us an excellent opportunity to check out some new beers, see what wines were being offered, and above all see what a flight of spirits looked like.

The first drink however, started with an Odin Freya’s Gold. Based out of the South Park area, this beer was no stranger to me so it seemed like a safe choice. As usual this beer did not disappoint and it also allowed me the chance to chat with Dan Lee regarding the brewery and other topics. After a little while we made our way to 192 to checkout a couple of their creations Granny's Apple Ale. While we were there we discussed the current progress on their small batch brewery, as well as the promise to come by at one point to check out the place.

Eventually we visited a couple of the food vendors featuring everything from nature bars (KIND) to all natural energy drinks (Honest Beverages). It wasn’t too long though that we had to check out the tequila, scotch tasting area. Featured at the various tables were Tequilas by Don Julio and Jose Cuervo, and Scotches from Singleton, Oban, Lagavulin, and Johnnie Walker. For us though it was all about the cigar and scotch pairing seminar that started at 4:30.

Shortly before the start of the seminar, hosted by Master of Whiskey certified presenter Ari Shapiro and Rain City Cigars, we sat down to take in the various scotches and whiskeys that would be featured at the event. At 4:00 PM Ari Shapiro got things going by introducing us to the first of the many spirits featured, starting with Dahlwhinnie before moving from the light to the smoky to the rich. Throughout each introduced scotch we were reminded the versatility of a fine cigar when taking many a sip of our spirit. Special thanks to Patrick who educated our lungs and palette with various suggested cigars.

With the show ended,  we made our way outside for a short intermission featuring cigars, conversation, and the occasional laugh. Eventually we found need to venture inside to spend the last few tickets, starting with a Fremont India Pale Ale, Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, and finishing out with a Lazy Boy Voracious Brew (I believe it was their Hoppy Red Head).

Overall, the festival was a definite treat with a minor side issue in that some of the beers were pouring gassy, possibly from too much gas or not enough ice.

Here’s to next year and thanks again Hop Scotch for inviting us down to trying something unique.

Want to see more image from the festival, check out our Flickr Page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwbeerguide/sets/72157623946361538/

Cheers

About the photos’ author Paul “Fruit Trees” Orchard, is an amateur craft beer enthusiast and amateur photographer. Throughout the many years in craft beer he is always carrying a camera (smartphone, digital, traditional) and is invites you to see that beer can also be exciting even if you can’t drink the photo.