IT'S ON TONIGHT! >>>

"Honey, Parkway ruined your Thanksgiving ... again," - famous last words to be spoken by an attendee of another Thanksgiving eve at Tacoma's Parkway Tavern.

The event is aptly named and according to manager John O'Gara, "It all started a few years ago as a bit of an accident. I'm not sure when the day before Thanksgiving became the biggest drinking holiday of the year but it is."

Think about it: college kids are home visiting the family after months of studying (binge drinking), pulling all-nighters (binge drinking) and worrying about midterms (binge drinking). And it's not just the college-aged drinkers who have transformed this evening as the most popular drinking holiday of the year. It's the men and women who get Thanksgiving Day off, which let's face it is most people as almost all businesses shut down or close early to allow the practice of thankfulness, football watching and stuffing ourselves full of tryptophan and gravy.

The first pre-Thanksgiving party at the Parkway was so off the hook O'Gara recalls thinking, "If this group of people were to join forces not only would they take over here but they could conquer Tacoma. It was almost riot status."

The Parkway Tavern is known for its eclectic, tasty beers and seasonal brews - specifically potent that can knock you on your ass. And your ass could be in trouble again tonight. The Parkway will offer extra seasonal brews on tap, just for the occasion. The hops lovers who like that fuzzy tongue feeling can chug on the likes of Schooner Hoppy The Woodsman and Supergoose IPA. If you prefer to make your brew into a meal and chew your way through it Jolly Rogers and Dog Fish Head Miles Davis Bitches Brew will hit the spot. And naturally for those looking forward to Thanksgiving go-to desserts there will be a couple of pumpkin ales available.

Here's what's on tap tonight: Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger 2010, Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger 2011, Southern Tier Pumking, Southern Tier Old Man Winter 2011, Russian River Temptation, Avery Samael, Avery duganA IPA, Boneyard Aleias, Schooner Hoppy the Woodsman 2011, Hale's Bourbon Barrel Aged Supergoose IPA, North Coast Barrel Aged Grand Cru, Dogfish Head Mile's Davis Bitches Brew, Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper and Timmermans Pumpkin Lambicus.

This year is sure to have another poor soul in the doghouse for being so hung-over that contributing to or even arriving to the obligatory family gathering is simply out of the question as they opt for aspirin, water and moaning in agony.

Drinking holidays are fun, until the morning after.

THE PARKWAY TAVERN, "HONEY, PARKWAY RUINED YOUR THANKSGIVING ... AGAIN," WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21, 6 P.M. TO CLOSE, 313 N. I ST., TACOMA, (253) 383-8748