By The Thirst Team

Goat Patch Brewing in Colorado Springs is busy with events leading up to Halloween, starting at 6 tonight with a liquid lecture about bats (and a bat box giveaway) from the Fountain Creek Watershed. The brewery hosts a cookie decorating class on Saturday, a Goatflix and Chill screening of “Hocus Pocus” next Saturday, Oct. 28, and a Trunk or Treat gathering on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Painting welcome mats at Storybook Brewing

I Arted, a mobile art studio, will host a Halloween welcome mat painting party at Storybook Brewing in Colorado Springs at 6 p.m. today. No experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. The studio will provide a variety of stencils, designs, paints and colors.

Wynkoop anniversary weekend

Wynkoop Brewing Co. helped launch the Denver craft beer industry 35 years ago this week. The downtown brewery will celebrate starting tomorrow, with beer specials and new collaboration beers.

Cocktail classes

State 38 Distilling in Golden will launch a new series of cocktail-making classes at 6 p.m. tomorrow. Learn about the distillery, sample spirits and make an agave gin sazerac and a bourbon apple old fashioned. Tickets cost $50, including two souvenir glasses.

Haunted Brew Fest

The final Haunted Brew Fest comes to Colorado Springs on Saturday. A long list of local and national breweries, distilleries and wineries will offer samples. There also will be a DJ and a costume contest with a $1,000 cash prize. General admission tickets cost $50, and VIP tickets are available for $65, with early entry and a gift bag.

Novel Strand Halloween parties

Novel Strand Brewing in central Denver will host two Halloween parties. This Saturday, the Halloween Pawty runs from noon to 5 p.m., with Halloween-themed Polaroids, a dog costume contest and more. The third annual Halloween bash starts at 7 p.m. next Friday, with a DJ, food trucks and a costume contest at 9 p.m. The brewery also hosts a makers’ market from 2 to 7 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 28.

Bluegrass ball at Wonderland Brewing

A bluegrass supergroup of sorts will play a Fall Ball show from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Wonderland Brewing in Broomfield. Colorado Junction String Band will perform with friends from Plywood Clyde and Big Hooray Bluegrass.

Leftoween festival

Left Hand Brewing in Longmont will host its Leftoween festival on Saturday and Sunday, with beer and food trucks, immersive Halloween scenes, live painters, games, oracle readings and a costume contest. Saturday’s live music includes Otis Lande and Nate Folsom at noon and Smooth Money Gesture at 4 p.m. Matt Flaherty Band and Rocket Parade will play on Sunday. Tickets cost $20 per day, and kids 12 and under are free.

Sparge Brewing chili cookoff

The 4th annual chili cookoff is coming to Sparge Brewing in Wellington at noon Saturday. Chili entries cost $20 per crockpot (one free pint per entry), with prizes awarded in three categories: meat chili with beans, meat chili without beans, and vegetarian. Samples cost $1. All proceeds will be donated to the Spargetoberfest Foundation.

Seedstock chili cookoff

Seedstock Brewing in west Denver also hosts a chili cookoff, starting at 4 p.m. Sunday. The reigning champion has won three straight years and is due for his comeuppance.

Bloody Mary Festival

The seventh annual Denver Bloody Mary Festival is coming to Reel Works on Sunday. Attendees and a panel of expert judges will each give awards for the best Bloody Mary cocktail in Denver. Tickets start at $50.

Whiskey and food pairing

Talnua Distillery in Arvada hosts a five-course dinner paired with whiskey and cocktails at 5:30 Sunday. The Colorado-grown food is prepared by Thistle & Mint chef Jared Kendall.

FlyteCo Fall Fest

The FlyteCo Tower hosts a fall festival at 11 a.m. Sunday, with a fire truck, bounce house, balloon artists, kids’ costume contest and trick or treating. The brewery is also set to begin tours to the top of the former Stapleton flight control tower for the first time. Click here for details.

Wine and cheese pairing in Palisade

A pair of wineries will pair wine and cheese next Wednesday on the patio at Colorado Vintners in Palisade. Winemaker Joe Flynn of Periphery Cellars will offer four wines, with snacks and local cheese pairings from Nibbles & Sips, and discuss winemaking in the Grand Valley. Tickets cost $30.

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