By the Thirst Team

Colorado’s libations crafters are toasting the holidays in too many ways to keep count. Plus, we’ve got some anniversaries and openings to celebrate. We don’t have room for it all, so here are our select recommendations for the week.

Danico Brewing Grand Opening

Denver's newest brewery opens Saturday on Tower Road near Pena Boulevard. The brewery opens at 10 am., hosts food trucks from noon to 9 p.m., and brings live music from Pandas & People from 6 to 9 p.m.

Next week, another new brewery opens in Centennial. Watch this space next week for more details on Kodiac Brewery’s debut on Dec. 15.

Asher Anniversary

Boulder’s Asher Brewing is celebrating its 13th birthday at 5 p.m. Saturday, with a food truck and live music from Bryce Evans & The Black Cats and The Diabolics.

Station 26 anniversary

Station 26 will release a peach Belgian golden strong ale for its anniversary party this week.

Station 26 has been slinging beer in an old Park Hill fire station for nine years. Celebrate their anniversary all day Saturday, with anniversary beers and glassware, a food truck and The Grass Project, which performs from noon to 3 p.m. From 1 to 4 p.m. Meier Skis also will run a build-your-own ski pole pop-up.

13 Days of Christmas

On to the holiday happenings! Red Leg Brewing in Colorado Springs hosts 12 days of Christmas fun, but also is starting one day early with Santa photo opportunities from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The grownup fun starts Sunday night. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, and get a free pint. The next 11 nights bring fun opportunities for contests, discounts and cheer, including a Dec. 16 beermas flight, a Dec. 17 comedy show, Dec. 20 Christmas trivia, and a party for short people on Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year. Any customer 5’2” or shorter gets a free half-pint (get it?).

Breakfast with Santa

Kokopelli Brewing in Westminster hosts breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Breakfast is $7 per child, and the event also includes face painting, a coloring contest, arts and crafts.

Deck the Brewhouse

Old 121 Brewhouse in Lakewood hosts the Deck the Brewhouse party from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, with a Brut IPA release, ornament making stations, cake treats from The Petite Cakery and live holiday music from cellist Dean Swedberg.

Find the Cheluna elf, earn a beer

Every day in December, Cheluna Brewing in Denver will hide an enanito (elf) somewhere in the taproom. The first person to find it gets a free beer or NA beverage. Cheluna also has live music on Friday and Saturday, and Marvel movie trivia at 7 p.m. Monday.

An Epic Drunk Christmas

It’s a last hurrah (or maybe last ha ha, in this case) for Epic Brewing’s Denver taproom, which hosts performances of Audacious Theatre’s Drunk Christmas show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. “It's a boozy spin on everybody’s favorite Charles Dickens Christmas tale, and it's Rocky Horror Picture Show-style!”

Side note for the Epic crew: If you don’t want to carry all those heavy Big Bad Baptist bottles back to Utah, I can come pick them up for you — no charge!

Ugly Sweater Parties

Soul Squared hosts an ugly sweater party on Friday, with drink specials and prizes. Categories will be judged at 6:30 p.m.

Bruz Beers brings its annual ugly sweater party to the Midtown taproom from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Wear an ugly sweater for $1 off drafts, and enjoy treats and carols from The Pie Queen from 5 to 6 p.m. Teague Starbuck performs from 7 to 9 p.m.

Walter’s Brewery also hosts an ugly sweater party from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, with contests, festive decor and live music from Mark’s Midnight Carnival Show.

Spirit Hound Cookie swap

Swap holiday cookies and share cocktails with friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyons.

Holiday Markets Abound

Still need some unique, local holiday gifts? Visit these Colorado brewery pop-up markets this weekend:

"Locals Only" Markets are coming to both Ratio locations. Local art, jewelry, apothecary, vintage clothing and home goods will be available at the Larimer taproom from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday; and the Overland taproom from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Winter Makers Market returns to Equinox Brewing in Fort Collins from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Call to Arms (which has really gone nuts on the holiday decorations) hosts a Holiday Market from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, with a food popup from GetRight's bakery and Lottie's custom sausages.
A Holiday Garden Party is coming to Left Hand Brewing Company in Longmont. Visit Santa Claus and shop local craft artisan booths.

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