By the Thirst Team

Here’s what’s happening this week at some of our favorite Colorado craft libations spots.

One of Boulder’s biggest beer festivals returns to the Balch Fieldhouse at CU from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. After a pandemic hiatus, the event is back with at least 36 breweries, a silent disco and games. General-admission tickets cost $45, and VIP early admission costs $65.

Holidaily birthday

The OG Holidaily Brewing Co. taproom in Golden turns seven with a casino-themed party on Saturday. There will be a blackjack table, gluten-free food trucks, a gluten-free and vegan cookie pop-up, a Cherry Blonde Ale firkin, opportunities to meet the brewers and the 7 Spice Saison beer release to celebrate seven years.

Halfpenny anniversary

Halfpenny Brewing Co. in Centennial also is turning seven and celebrating all weekend with new beers and merch, food trucks, and live music from The One & Only Jon Ham and Above Treeline.

Taproom opening

Denver Beer Co. opens its fourth taproom this weekend in the Lowry neighborhood, with live music, beer tappings, giveaways and more from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday. The calendar at the new spot is filling quickly, with a beer, bacon and coffee fest coming March 4 and 5, and a beer dinner on March 20.

Fly fishing film festival preview

The Fly Fishing Film Tour is about to wade into fly fishing meccas all over the country, and hosts its annual preview night at 6 p.m. Saturday at Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont. Tickets cost $20.

Chili cook-off

Red Leg Brewing in Colorado Springs hosts a chili cook-off at 5 p.m. Sunday. Chef entries are closed, but judging tickets are still available. Try up to 20 chilis for $12.

…and another chili cook-off

Copper Kettle Brewing Co. in south Denver also hosts a chili cook-off from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Spaces are still available for both chili entries and tasting judges. Entry for chefs is free, and each cook gets a free pint and a $25 gift card. Judges can pay $10 to taste all the chilis and vote. All proceeds go to the Struggle of Love Foundation.

Winter luau

Folks who are tired of the winter weather can warm up at the winter luau on Saturday at Joyride Brewing in Edgewater. Three new tropically inspired beers will be tapped, alongside Hawaiian food, beach music and a pop-up hat station. Ceramic tiki mugs will be free to the first 20 people to order a beer. After that, they’ll cost $20, including the first beer.

Running series kickoff

The 2023 Colorado Brewery Running Series Season officially starts March 5 with the Onesie 5K at Blue Moon Brewing in Denver. However, Barquentine Brewing in the Edgewater Marketplace hosts a kickoff party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with season pass deals, discount beer and merch, giveaways, live music and an optional 5K fun run around Sloan’s Lake.

Collab Fest collabs

Collaboration Fest is about a month away, but the collaborations are well underway. For example, we got a photo from Elevation Beer Co.’s brewing day with Our Mutual Friend Brewing. They created a Belgian Dubbel with Vermont Sticky maple syrup exclusively for the March 25 festival.

Tickets are still available for the festival. If you are going to the festival in Westminster, stop by and say hi to Team Thirst. We are sponsoring the event, and will have a great giveaway drawing.

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