Chocolate Unwrapped

As a special vote of thanks to all their Science Rock Stars who helped make the first year of The Fleet’s after-hours parties for adults 21 and older a rollicking success, a special party is planned: Chocolate! The Science of Flavor will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursday, October 17. Don’t miss out; a truly decadent time was had by all at last year’s The Sweet Science of Chocolate; Tap This: The Art of the Brew; Pizza, Pinot and Pi and That’s Hot: The Fleet’s Summer Sizzler.

All proceeds benefit the Fleet’s nonprofit mission of furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. Tickets are $25 general admission for nonmembers; $22.50 for students and military; and $20 for Fleet members, staff and volunteers, and Balboa Park employees.

Tickets for this adults-only party are on sale now through Eventbrite at science-rocks-chocolate-unwrapped.eventbrite.com, and at the Fleet ticket counter, open at 10AM daily. Or purchase by phone by calling the Fleet’s Client Services Department at (619) 238-1233 x 806. This event is open to adults ages 21+ only. I.D. is required. A cash bar features beer, wine, and cocktails. Space is limited and prices increase the day of event—if not sold out, tickets at the door will be $30; no discounts apply.

Local chocolatier Will Gustwiller of Eclipse Chocolate will pair something yummy (beer truffles, perhaps?) with a Green Flash Brewing Company surprise revealed by Director of Beer Education, Dave Adams. Sips will feature the Flash along with Cacao Chocolate Porter made with organic cacao nibs and Chipotle IPA made with smoked Jalapeno Peppers from Aztec Brewing, Hop the RIPA & Beeruccino from Helm’s Brewing Company, Manzanita Brewing Company’s Riverwalk Blonde and Witch’s Hair Pumpkin Ale (with Chaotic IPA as backup) and St. Archer’s eponymous Blonde and IPA; Manzanita Distillery will tempt you with their Moonshine. Sip wines of the world from PRP Wines International. Or pick your own pleasure and hit the no-host full bar from BarWorks, offering beer, wine and cocktails. Taste culinary treats from Ritual Tavern and Mini Chocolate Parfaits & Blackened Chicken Orzo Pasta from East Village Tavern and Bowl.

There will be fun, scientific chocolate- and beer-related hands-on activities! Satisfy your hunger for knowledge with a presentation by Dr. Linemeyer, VP of Biology for Senomyx, on the science behind your taste buds––Senomyx discovers and develops innovative flavor ingredients using cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Francisco Villarreal provides scientific justification for chocoholics with his insights on the health benefits of chocolate.

Chief mad scientist Heather Wilkens is bringing back her Team Greenwood to make ice cream in a flash using liquid nitrogen. Party guests will test how sight and smell affect taste in a Skittles Taste Test, blindfolded and holding their nose as they taste a mystery Skittle—how well can you discern the differences between Grape, LemonGreen, Apple, Orange and Strawberry? Or try a Strawberry DNA Extraction—deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA for short, is the molecule that controls everything that happens in our cells. DNA is a like a blueprint—it contains instructions for the cells in our bodies.

Burn off the calories by shakin’ it to the sounds of DJ Will Hernandez and Drumbeats by Dre. Get caught in the act by Xavier Bailey Photography and 1 Look Back Photography, or photostrip with friends at Smile Pop Party’s photo booth. At evening’s end, get a discounted luxury ride home from Uber.

For more information, visit www.rhfleet.org/events/science-rocks. For up-to-the-minute news, visit www.Facebook.com/ScienceontheRocks.

Tags: balboa park, Chocolate, The Fleet

Category: Entertainment, Events, Local News