Anniversaries, holiday events, last-minute shopping and more at breweries, distilleries, wineries

By the Thirst Team

The Block Distilling Co. in Denver celebrates its 5th anniversary with the release of Batch No. 3 of the Four Grain Straight Whiskey and a procrastinator’s holiday market with local crafters and vendors on Sunday.

The distillery will also serve a host of festive cocktails, including their take on a classic eggnog; and offer flash tattoos, a holiday punch-making class and a cookie-decorating session for kis.

Novo Coffee also will be on site with coffee and hot cocoa, along with coffee kits.

Hot wax, cold beer

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery in Denver is launching a series of “Hot Wax and Pint Nights” tonight, starting at 6 p.m. For $15, get a pint of beer and a hot wax for your skis or snowboard. The event will also return on Jan. 11 and Feb. 8.

Cookies and movies

Great Divide Brewing Co. hosts a Gnarly Mountain Cookie and beer pairing at both taprooms at 5 p.m. Thursday — $15 for four cookies and four 4-ounce pours. The Barrel Bar also is showing “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Holiday yuks

Outworld Brewing in Longmont delivers a holiday stand-up comedy showcase at 7 p.m. Thursday. The lineup includes Zoe Rogers, Ricky Ramos, Anthony Bartolo, Kari Melissa, Linus Leas, Catherine Shea and Ryan Bonell. There also will be a prize for the best ugly sweater. The show is free, but reservations are recommended.

…and Holiday yikes!

Krampusnacht is coming to Trve Brewing from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Krampus will visit to punish the naughty ones. The event also includes holiday vendors, Laws Whiskey House cocktails, German treats from Music City Hot Chicken and a Krampus Sweater sale to benefit the Blue Bench.

Wine market

The third annual Vintners’ Collective Christmas Market runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Palisade. Get hot cider or mulled wine while shopping local craft vendors. Cygnus Coffee Bus and Underdog Cheese will serve up food. This event is all outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Food, whiskey & cigar pairing

Six Capital Brewing in Aurora hosts a pairing with Trinity Cigar Company and Bear Creek Distillery from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. Three courses of food will be paired with three whiskeys from Bear Creek Distillery, and completed with a cigar. Trinity Cigar Lounge folks will stick around after the pairing, pairing cigars with other cocktails and beers.

Last Luki market

Luki Brewery in Arvada hosts one more holiday market from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, with a jazz concert by the Ben Kellogg Trio from 6 to 9 p.m.

The brewery also hosts a winter wonderland every Wednesday through Christmas, with cookie decorating, holiday movie bingo and Bierstacheln, a beer warmed with a hot poker.

Succulent pop-up

Living the Dream Brewing in Littleton hosts a Colorado plant pop-up, focused on succulents, from noon to 4 Saturday. Later, they’ll show “The Grinch” and offer popcorn and holiday crafts for the kids. Either hang out with the kids in the heated tent or enjoy beer in the taproom while the Highlands Ranch Backcountry Association staff supervises the kiddos ($15 per kid suggested donation for the conservation group).

Christmas plantiness party

Make a holiday centerpiece at Yetters Brewing Company in Greeley. Choose a poinsettia or other plant, and decorate a 6" pot with the holiday items and supplies. And get an additional free plant to give away. Cost is $35.

Solstice celebration

Dos Luces in Denver will crank up the heat and break out the kiddie pool to celebrate the South American Summer Solstice from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. The brewery also will release a Chocolate Black Tùpac Amaru, and offer a Túpac Amaru Vertical tasting, with 8 different versions of the beer produced over the last 4 years.

Sweater wearing and gift wrapping

Crabtree Brewing in Greeley hosts an ugly sweater party and releases two new sour ales at 5 p.m. Friday. Wear an ugly sweater to get $1 off your first beer, including the Cherry Lemon and the Strawberry Rhubarb sour ales.

The brewery also offers a gift wrapping station for customers from Sunday through Dec. 23. Buy a beer and wrap your gifts with their paper, tape, scissors and assistance.

Mug shots and mug clubs

It will be busy at Sunroom Brewing in Englewood on Saturday, starting with rescue puppy yoga at 11 a.m., awkward Christmas sweater pics from noon to 5 p.m. (ugly sweaters earn $1 off beers), and live music from Grey Rails at 6 p.m.

The new brewery is also joining the mug club club. For $150, Get a limited edition glass, $1 off pours and 10% off merch all year, 3 free growler fills, free birthday beer and more.

Wine and chocolate pairing

If you haven’t had enough chocolate yet this silly season (and can you ever have enough chocolate anyway?), check out the holiday wine and chocolate pairing at Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland at 5:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 21. Pair Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory treats with wines.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. And enjoy your Colorado craft libations responsibly.