RH Fleet Science Center ‘geeks out’ over making a great beer

By Logan Broyles | SDUN Reporter

In a town famous for both the quality and quantity of craft brew choices, is it any surprise that even our museums showcase San Diego’s love of beer?

Beer aficionados, amateur brewers and people simply looking to have some suds-soaked fun will flock to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park on Thursday, Jan. 24 for Tap This: The Art of the Brew.

This 21-and-older beer-centric event will feature six local craft breweries, several in Uptown. Guests will get a chance to taste some of the best that Stone Brewing Co., Green Flash, Hillcrest Brewing Company, Helm’s Brewing, Mad Lab Craft Brewing and Monkey Paw have to offer. There will also be a full bar for those that want more than just beer.

San Diego’s best and brightest brew-masters from these six establishments will also be in attendance, hosting panel discussions to give tips and tricks of the trade for how to make the best brews. There will also be interactive demonstrations with individual attendees so they can try some of the techniques for themselves.

To complement the selection of beer, there will also be food available from local restaurants, including West Coast Tavern, Brazen BBQ and D Bar in Uptown. Stone Catering, Slaters 50/50 and Neighborhood will also offer tastings.

“We have discovered the scientific formula for a perfect night out,” said Andrea Decker, executive assistant and head of the Science on the Rocks planning committee. “Take one part fun with friends, two parts intriguing interaction, a scoop of nibbles and a cup of libations. Cover all ingredients with music and laughter and voila. You have Science on the Rocks, a delightful evening of unexpected activities, delicious tastes, and indulgent experiences.”

Science on the Rocks is held on select Thursday evenings, and each event features a unique theme. Tap This: The Art of the Brew marks the second event of the series, which debuted in October 2012 with The Sweet Science of Chocolate. The event featured Eclipse Chocolate of University Heights pairing their treats with beers from Stone Brewing Co. It sold out weeks prior.

Attendees on Jan. 24 will get to test more than their brew IQ, thanks to an exhibit on the physics of Beer Pong, complete with an actual pong table that guests can play to make sure the lesson really takes.

Or they can try out an obstacle course that can only be attempted while wearing “beer goggles,” a safe and potentially embarrassing way to learn firsthand the effects of alcohol on perception and balance.

There will also be a raffle and a sound-scape setup for dancing, with music by DJ Joey Jimenez. In addition, guests will have access to the Reuben H. Fleet’s more than 100 interactive exhibits.

“Everyone who grows up in San Diego has fun memories of visiting the Fleet as a kid, but as we get older and life gets busier, we sometimes forget about these local gems,” Decker said. “Science on the Rocks is an excellent reminder that the Fleet is a fun place to go, whether you are seven or 70.”

Tickets for The Art of the Brew are $15 for Fleet members and Balboa Park employees, $18 for students and military and $20 for general admission. The event is from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. For more information and tickets visit rhfleet.org/events/science-rocks or call 619-238-1233.