By The Thirst Team

Your Colorado craft libations makers have plenty of cheer to share this week, including anniversaries, holiday parties, makers’ markets and, of course, ugly Christmas sweater parties.

Blanchard anniversary

Blanchard Family Wines in Denver will toast its five-year anniversary at 7 p.m. Friday with a party. A $25 ticket includes two drinks, an appetizer spread and a raffle entry.

Ski film debut
The North Face debuts its new ski movie “Giant Beasts, Tiny People” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ska Brewing in Durango. The screening is free and for all-ages, and there will also be a raffle of ski gear and more to benefit the Give an Adventure Fund, which helps give disadvantaged students outdoor experiences.

Hideaway Park ski swap
Hideaway Park Brewery in Winter Park will host its first-ever ski swap from Friday through Sunday. All transactions will be directly between buyer and seller, and all items must be dropped off by Thursday night.

Our Mutual Friend anniversary
Our Mutual Friend Brewing Co. in RiNo marks its 11th anniversary from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. The first 100 people to order a beer on Saturday will receive a commemorative tasting glass, and the brewery will debut several specialty releases, including a Belgian-Style golden strong ale aged in Curaçao-finished Laws Whiskey barrels, and a Norwegian-style ale made with Colorado barley smoked over European alderwood. OMF also will debut a collaboration with WeldWerks: a marshmallow smoked stout made with Troubadour malts smoked with Medianoche barrels.

Bruz Christmas party
Bruz Beers hosts a Christmas Party at its Midtown Denver taproom from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, with a maple whiskey barrel-aged quadrupel release, hot poker beer, photo backdrops, and food trucks and costume contests for both people and dogs.

Kokopelli Santa party
Kokopelli Beer Co. in Westminster hosts brunch and photos with Santa at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The brewery also hosts holiday bingo at 2:30 p.m. Get a free extra card for wearing an ugly sweater.

Grinch Games and gingerbread
Red Leg Brewing in Colorado Springs hosts the Grinch Games at 11 a.m. Saturday, with mischievous contests inspired by Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas character. Events include a pudding-eating contest, flip cup Christmas tree, oven mitt unwrapping and human tree decorating. Prize money for top teams, and costumes are encouraged. Cost is $20 per 4-person team, and players must be at least 12 years old.

Red Leg also hosts a gingerbread house decorating competition from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $30 per house, including two pints of beer. Additional edible decor is encouraged.

More gingerbread fun
Intersect Brewing in Fort Collins also hosts a gingerbread decorating contest from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25 per gingerbread house, including two pints, with a maximum of five decorators. After 90 minutes of decorating, the best house wins a prize. There also is a prize for best-worst Christmas sweater. Once again, additional edible decor is encouraged.

Peculier Christmas party
Peculier Ales in Windsor hosts its first Peculier Christmas party on Saturday, with a small artisan market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a visit from Santa and an Elf from 3 to 6 p.m. The event also includes food specials, Christmas cookies, beer releases and an ugly sweater contest.

Brunch with Santa
Launch Pad Brewery in Aurora hosts brunch with Santa, with food truck eats, free Santa pics and a toy drive (one free beer per donation).

Holiday markets
If you still need to pick up holiday gifts (we certainly do), craft libations spots are still hosting holiday markets and shopping opportunities this week:

Goat Patch Brewing in Colorado Springs hosts a market from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, with games, crafts, jewelry, brewery bundles and more. The brewery also has a make-and-take ornament workshop at noon Saturday. And if the holidays are too stressful, Therapeutic Thursday coloring night starts at 6 p.m.
The Great Divide Barrel Bar hosts a Rocky Mountain Record Show vinyl pop-up from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. DJs will spin all day. Entrance is free, but an RSVP is requested.
Fiction Beer Co. in Denver hosts a mini marketplace with 10 local crafters of art, knitwear, candles, soap, cards and more.

Ugly sweater parties

Finally, we still don’t want to miss any opportunities to use those ugly seasonal sweaters (they’ll be back in boxes with the ornaments by next month).

All Colorado Parry’s Pizza locations will tap holiday beers, including Parry’s Select Mr. Sandman, a limited-release collaboration stout with River North Brewing, aged for one year in Leopold Bros whiskey barrels. Free pumpkin bites for anyone showing off an ugly sweater.
Left Hand RiNo Drinks & Eats in Denver hosts an ugly sweater party with a hot twist at 7 p.m. Friday. The event is co-hosted by the Fire Rescue Dogs calendar and Lifeline Puppy Rescue. Firefighters will also be at the taproom in (and out of?) ugly sweaters. Tickets cost $30, including a calendar, meet and greet with firefighters and playtime with rescue puppies.
Woods Boss Brewing Co. in Denver hosts an ugly sweater party at 7 p.m. Saturday, with live music from the Fuzzheads. The most outlandish sweater wins a Wilderness Club membership, and runners-up get merch and beer. Plus the Magical Narwhal Candycane Stout is back on tap.
Grimm Brothers Brewhouse in Loveland hosts an ugly sweater contest at 8 p.m. Saturday. It’s part of the daylong Weihnachtsfest, including Glühwein and a toy drive. Get a free beer for bringing in a new toy in the original packaging.
The aforementioned Red Leg Brewing will give you a half-pint for free just for showing up in a festive sweater on Saturday afternoon.
Spice Trade Brewing in Greenwood Village hosts an ugly sweater party and Christmas trivia on Tuesday. The brewery also has plenty of festive seasonal beers on tap, including the Figgy Pudding wine barrel-aged winter warmer and a peppermint milk stout.

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