By The Thirst Team

Colorado’s craft breweries, wineries and distilleries are still getting really creative and having fun while making their tasty bevvies. They are collaborating with museums, hosting pigs, staging murder mysteries, making monster beers and even finding creative ways to say goodbye. Here are our picks for fun stuff on the craft scene this weekend.

NoCo Brew Fest

The 2nd Annual NoCo Brew Fest is coming to Greeley’s Island Grove Regional Park from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday (with a VIP hour at 2). Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for firefighters and EMTs. A total of 24 regional breweries will participate.

Tickets cost $50 ($60 for VIP tickets), including unlimited samples, Battleground Pro Wrestling matches, live music by Titonic, Bodango and Matt Fuson Music, food trucks.

Wine history at Carboy

History Colorado is co-hosting a conversation about Colorado wine at Carboy Winery in Littleton. Carboy focuses on sustainability and Colorado Proud grapes, and representatives from the winery will tell the Carboy story. Folks from History Colorado will offer a broader perspective on the challenges and triumphs of Colorado agriculture and wine.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Thursday. Tickets cost $65 (with a discount for History Colorado members), and include a winery tour, appetizers, a tasting and the discussion.

Bikes and birthdays

Woods Boss Brewing Co. in downtown Denver will host an anniversary party and a cycling event this weekend. The 6th anniversary event runs from noon to 11 p.m. Friday, with new beers, raffle prizes, merchandise discounts, a food truck and vinyl DJ. Woods Boss will pour new IPAs and Märzens, as well as barrel-aged legacy beers.

A virtual time trial for the National Cycling League Cup race takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The full pro race takes place Sunday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Field.

Snowbank turns nine

I know I am not supposed to play favorites, but Snowbank Brewing in Fort Collins makes some of the best coffee pale ale and red ale in the state.

And you have an extra excuse to try their beers this weekend during their 9th anniversary celebration from 12 to 9 p.m. next Saturday, Aug. 19. Snowbank will host live music and food trucks, release new and returning beers, and raffle off custom Snowbank cornhole boards. Each pint gets an entry, and more tickets will be for sale.

Brews for a cause

From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. in Golden will host a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The event includes a bake sale, music, beer and a raffle, including the grand prize: a Scott Ransom mountain bike.

Biergarten fundraiser

The Black Forest Community Club will host the 5th Annual Biergarten Fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with music, beer and fun. Money supports the “Love the Logs” project, which would restrain, replace or repair logs at the center, which dates to 1926.

Tickets cost $25 ($50 for VIP tickets), including music from Wirewood Station, a party bag, a custom souvenir glass from the event, four tickets for 2-ounce sample pours, and two 8-ounce pour drink tickets. Black Forest Brewing Co., JAKs Brewing, Storybook Brewing, Goat Patch Brewing Co., and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery will pour beers, and Antelope Ridge Mead will also be on hand.

Resolute-ly busy weekend

Both Resolute Brewing Co. locations will host interesting events this weekend. On Saturday, the Centennial taproom will help celebrate the 9th anniversary of Hog Haven pig sanctuary. A portion of beer sales will go to Hog Haven, and piggies will be on site. No dogs allowed.

Also on Saturday, the Arvada taproom hosts Cars & Brews, a free Candelas Car Enthusiasts auto show, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Both taprooms will be closed Monday to recover, but will be in high gear again next Saturday (Aug. 19) for a 7th anniversary party, with live music and beer releases.

Murder mystery party at Sparge

Sleuth out an old Hollywood Whodunit at Sparge Brewing in Wellington. Solve a murder mystery, bribe suspects for clues and watch out for the murderer while enjoying Sparge beer and Slurpz food. The shenanigans run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday).

Shake a (Red) Leg

Red Leg Brewing in Colorado Springs hosts an Elvis extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, with a performance from an award-winning Elvis tribute performer, an Elvis look-alike costume contest, Elvis-themed beverages, photo booth, caricature artist and more. It is the 46th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death (if he really died!)

Moroccan beer dinner

Spice Trade Brewing in Greenwood Village hosts a five-course Moroccan-style beer pairing dinner next Wednesday night, with exclusive beer releases and off-the-menu specials. Note that the brewery is closed to the general public during the dinner. Tickets are available here.

The brewery also just released a pumpkin spice latte (pumpkin spice season begins!).

Twelve Days of Avery

All Parry’s Colorado locations, from Longmont to Colorado Springs, host a 12-day Avery tap takeover starting today, with pint specials on four Avery brews, plus other rare and creative Avery beer. The event also brings a drawing for prizes including an exclusive Avery Brewery tour, Parry’s gift cards and Great American Beer Festival tickets.

Brewery closings

It makes us a little sad when we find out a brewery just quietly went out of business. We’d rather see breweries make the best of what always is a difficult decision.

Mockery Brewing has been having fun and making beer north of RiNo for nine years. But the brewery will close after one last party at noon Saturday.

Further south in Denver, Dos Luces Brewery is still brewing and serving until they run out of ingredients. Get over there. After they close, it might not be possible to find their styles of pre-colonial corn-based and gluten-free beer anywhere else.

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