By The Thirst Team

Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales will officially open in Longmont at noon Saturday. The new brewery promises more details to come on its Facebook page.

Second Bent Barley opens

Bent Barley Brewing Co. opens a second location in Centennial at noon Friday.

Nano 108 turns 10

Nano 108 Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs celebrates its 10th anniversary at noon Saturday, with beer and merch releases, a retro costume contest, food trucks and more.

Ballmer Peak turns four
Lakewood’s Ballmer Peak Distillery celebrates its fourth anniversary this weekend, with food trucks and bottle releases: the anniversary whiskey and an overproof, barrel-aged rum, matured in an ex-rye whiskey cask from Locke + Co Distilling.

Fly-tying class
Angler’s Covey will host a fly-tying class for novices and experienced anglers on Sunday afternoon at Red Leg Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs. The first part of the class will be an introduction to fly tying, and basic tools and techniques. The second part will dive into more advanced techniques and several different types of flies. No experience is necessary, and all materials for the class will be provided. The class is limited to 10 students, and registration is required.

Bad Art Party at Brewability

The Bad Art Party for Adults is coming to Brewability in Englewood at 6 p.m. tomorrow. K. Stein Creations will provide a pile of ridiculous and unique materials to inspire a wacky creation. Awards will be given for the Best of the Worst and Too Good to be Bad creations.

80s Dance Party

Sky Bear Brewery in Loveland will host the Totally 80s Dance Party with DJ Brian Howe at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

DIY Thanksgiving centerpieces

At 3 p.m. Sunday, Mariposa Plants & Flowers will provide materials and training to craft a floral holiday centerpiece at Crabtree Brewing in Greeley. A $40 ticket covers all materials and your first beer.

Strange Brews - The Artsy One

The acclaimed 40 West Arts Hub on West Colfax hosts Strange Brews, a magic and libations show, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Spend an evening with some of Denver's best young magicians. “This show is a casual performance that invites audiences to see amazing magic without the stuffy suits and cheesy lines,” organizers promise.

Build ski poles
Vail Brewing Co. and Grass Sticks host a workshop from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday where skiers can build their own bamboo ski poles or get a discount on Grass Sticks’ poles (free beer with any kit or pole purchase.

Holiday markets

Wiley Roots in Greeley hosts its Christkindlmarket from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday (and again on Saturday, Dec. 2). The event brings local vendors to the brewery warehouse, offering a behind-the-scenes view of the brewery while finding holiday gifts.
Crooked Stave in Fort Collins hosts local artists for its Thanksgiving sip and shop market from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Thanksgiving spirit(s)
Colorado distilleries are helping you host the tastiest Thanksgiving in town with new spirits releases this week.

On Sunday, Marble Distilling in Carbondale will release single-cask specialty bottles, including a five-year rye finished in a Moonlight EXpresso cask, a five-year bourbon finished in Petite Syrah (plus one-year in second-generation French oak from the award-winning Alfred Eames Cellars). Marble also will have seven-year bourbon and rye bottles available.
The Block Distilling Co. in Denver hosts a Bourbon & Coffee release party from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Up All Nitro coffee-flavored canned cocktail and the limited-edition Wren Bird four-year bourbon will be released. The Rye Pushers will perform, and Lady in the Wild will have brunch food.
Ironton Distilling in Denver will unveil its collaboration with Bluegrass Coffee. Bluegrass aged their house coffee beans and cold brew in an Ironton single-malt whiskey barrel. The coffee-infused barrel was then used to finish a limited-release whiskey (less than 300 bottles). The bottles will be available at Bluegrass Coffee’s two Arvada locations on Thursday, and at Ironton’s RiNo tasting room on Friday. The distillery will have free whiskey and coffee tastings, free distillery tours, bottle and coffee bean sales, and a free mini-camp mug with the purchase of a bottle.

There also is plenty of great Colorado wine for the Thanksgiving table, and check our website tomorrow for a list of suggested local Thanksgiving beers.

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