Increase Your Food & Drink I.Q. at 3 Educational Events

The kids are back in school! Don’t let them be the only ones out there soaking up new knowledge – here are a few educational opportunities you could, um, soak up as well.  

Drinking Lessons – Ongoing
The Sorrento Hotel has announced the 2013 lineup for its ever-popular Hunt Club Bar series, which is one of the most casual and affordable booze education events in town. January kicks off with my favorite winter cold cure, the Hot Toddy; I’m also intrigued by Rare Wines (March) and Spring Infusions (April). The current season is still in swing, mind you: the next installment on October 15th is, appropriately, about good ol’ beer. $35; 900 Madison St.; hotelsorrento.com/social-calendar

Bastille’s “Meet the Producer” Happy Hour – Monday, September 17
If you missed Gwydion Stone’s presentation on absinthe last week at the Sorrento’s aforementioned drinking lesson (or if you’re still just thirsty for more of the Green Devil), you can catch him again tonight at Bastille in Ballard. Stone, owner and distiller of Seattle’s Marteau Absinthe and founder of The Wormwood Society, is a bottomless well of historical information on his poison of choice as well as booze in general. Special absinthe cocktails and traditionally-poured absinthe (both $8) will be featured in the bar with happy hour bites from 4:30-7pm. This is the last of Bastille’s “Meet the Producer” events this year, so if you’ve been meaning to drop in, now is the time. 5307 Ballard Ave. NW; bastilleseattle.com

Fish Tales & Pike Ales – Thursday, September 27
Les Dames d’Escoffier, the exclusive sisterhood of the world’s top female culinary figures, is teaching us all about seafood: the virtues of wild seafood, why frozen products have advantages, and other “a-fish-ionado” knowledge. Professional fisherfolk will be there, along with cookbook authors and Les Dames, of course, who will prepare dinner for the evening with beverage pairings by the Pike Pub and Washington wineries. All proceeds from this fundraiser dinner will benefit Les Dames projects like culinary education scholarships and sustainable agriculture programs. Pike Brewing Co.; 1415 1st Ave; $75. lesdamesseattle.com