Thirst Staff Reports

Here are our picks for the best events on the Colorado craft beer, wine and spirits scene this week.

Wellington hosts its only beer festival of the year from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 4. The Wellington Brewfest is strictly 21+, and will include food trucks.

Proceeds benefit the Wellington Main Street Program, which works to protect the historic character of downtown Wellington and promote shared prosperity.

Tickets cost $50, including unlimited beer samples from 16 northern Colorado breweries.

Highlands Ranch Beer Festival

On the other end of the Denver metro area, the Highlands Ranch Beer Festival is also slated for Saturday, June 4. At least 36 breweries are participating, and general admission tickets with unlimited samples cost $45. The event is currently sold out, but a waitlist is available.

Cocktail, Wine & Food Pairing Workshop

Blanchard Family Wines and Deviation Distilling will host a Cocktail, Wine & Food Pairing Workshop on Sunday, June 5, in the alley of LoDo’s Dairy Block.

Foodies can learn why certain flavor combinations go well together, while enjoying two Deviation cocktails and two glasses of Blanchard wine, both paired with local cheeses and chocolates.

The workshop starts at 4 p.m., and tickets cost $60 each. Advance reservations are required.

Hoppy birthday to Copper Kettle

Copper Kettle Brewing in Denver will host an 11th anniversary bash Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 5.

Each day includes beer releases, live music and food trucks. Saturday’s events also include a dog fashion show, henna tattoos, an Aerial Silk show and a staff showdown brewing competition. On Sunday, the brewery hosts a local artisan market.

The Pedal Party is back

Red Leg Brewing in Colorado Springs is bringing back its monthly Pedal Party, starting Saturday, June 4. The event offers an opportunity for bikers of all abilities to ride together in a safe and fun environment while teaching the basics of bicycling safety, etiquette, and rules of the road.

Red Leg will donate $1 of every pint sold during the event to UpaDowna, and an additional $5 donation per person is requested. UpaDowna provides access to free and discounted outdoor adventures for all ages and abilities.

Cask Thief at Stranahan’s

Stranahan’s Distillery hosts the 7th Annual Cask Thief on Saturday, June 4. Head distiller Owen Martin will select six of the most unique casks from the distillery’s rack house to unseal and sample. From wine finishes and craft beer collaborations to barrel experimentations, each whiskey will feature distinct flavor profiles unlike anything poured in a glass before.

The event also includes food and live music. General admission tickets cost $70, and are good from noon to 3 p.m. The VIP event runs from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets cost $100.

Beer release of the week

At least two Colorado breweries are joining a global effort to make an open-source collaboration beer and raise money for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Big Thompson Brewery in Loveland is planning to tap and start canning the Resolve Ukraine beer this week, and will host a beer release event on Saturday, June 4. Golden’s Holidaily Brewing will release a gluten-free version on June 16, on tap and in 32-oz crowlers.

Proceeds from the beer are going to the Global Empowerment Mission and World Central Kitchen for their humanitarian work on the ground in Ukraine.

Please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them.