Seattle, WA - Tear off January, February, and March if you haven't already, but leave room in the recycle bin for April 2010. It's been a great year so far for craft beer and festivals (Barleywine Bacchanal, Hard Liver Barleywine Festival, WABC Cask Fest) so what's one more to add to the first four months of 2010.

On Friday April 24th, while most of you are decompressing from another week spent screaming at your dumb luck, to be working indoors (or thanking your stars for packing an umbrella), hundreds will make their way through the doors of the Fremont Studios. Located just a weak, stone's throw from the old Trolley House (aka, former Brewery for Redhook), and buried deep in "center of the universe", you are encouraged to check out Hop Scotch.

Typically when the words Beer and Festival co-exist, one conjures up images of pretzels, dropped glassware, crazy shirts, and a one of a kind opportunity for women to experience shorter lines to the bathroom. Hop Scotch however, bludgeons your post-college paranoia into submission, allowing you to finally enjoy a nice stout or porter with a shot of whiskey or scotch (and now tequila). But for those of you who would rather vomit beer than consume it, the festivals organizers have garnished the event with a small selection of wine.

And just if you really don't care about stuff produced from vines (pssst, wine and beer), you might try the three additional spirit options (still have to pay admission). Got $10 burning a hole in your wallet you can always try your choice of five different 1/4 ounce tequila or scotches in a sampler set.

Still not satisfied? Try the suggested beer and spirits pairing, courtesy of the experts at Theo Chocolate. Or hold in your curiosity until you get outside and pick up a few bars from their nearby cafe.

So now you're asking what the stipend is, for this potential appointment with a next-morning bloody mary or mimosa? Total cost is $25 for admission (or buy an early ticket for $20), which includes a 5 oz. commemorative tasting glass and five beer/wine tasting tokens. If you want more than that you can pony up an extra $5 for the same glassware but ten tokens.

As always we encourage those that attend such events where one is prone to potentially operating heavy machinery (including cars) to avoid driving if you are going to be "sampling" (many times). But if you insist on a goal of total inebriation then you can either cab it or bus it. We have listed some options below. So stop reading this, starting reading the suggested beer list and above all, have fun.

About Public Transportation

• Yellow Cab: 206-622-6500
• Gray Top Cab: 206-282-8222
• Orange Cab: 206-552-8800
• Redtop Cab: 206-789-4949

Or put a route together by taking the bus.

Bringing a Designated Driver? Here are the parking lots.

• Lot at 34th and Evanston, behind the Red Door.
• Getty Images underground parking garage on Canal St., Lot closes at 11p.m.
• U-Park Lot at 900 N. 34th. U-Park Lot at 720 N. 35th
• U-Park Lot at 910 N. Northlake Way U-Park Lot at 173 N. 35th St.
• U-Park Lot at 3420 Stoneway Ave N. U-Park Lot at 606 N. 34th St.
• U-Park Lot at 501 N. 34th St.
• U-Park Lot at 600 N. 36th St.

About Theo Chocolate|

Theo produces premium organic and Fair Trade specialty chocolate. Our founder, Joseph Whinney, pioneered the supply of organic cocoa beans into the United States in 1994. Joe always dreamt of building the first organic chocolate factory in the US, as prior to Theo’s inaugural chocolate run in March of 2006, all organic chocolate was manufactured in Europe and imported into the US market. As the first and only organic and Fair Trade chocolate factory in the country, all of our ingredients are carefully screened to ensure they meet our standards for social and environmental responsibility. Theo’s standards and practices include:

Using only pure ingredients that are grown sustainably. We source our ingredients locally whenever possible.

Partnering with our growers by ensuring they earn a living wage and have access to education for their families.

Honoring and respecting our employees and suppliers. This is possible due to the unique fact that we control every step of our own manufacturing process.

Using green energy sources to power our factory.

Using sustainable packaging and printing methods.

Educating about social and environmental accountability 7 days a week through public tours of our artisan factory. [more] –source, Theo’s Chocolate website

March 23rd, 2010 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
155 North 35th Street Seattle, WA 98103-8605

March 24th, 2010 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM
155 North 35th Street Seattle, WA 98103-8605

Cheers