Beer festival season is back, and stout month is starting early

By The Thirst Team

Big Bones Canine Rescue will benefit from the Winter Brew Fest in Denver.

The Winter Brew Fest is coming on Saturday to Mile High Station in Denver. The event has two sessions: 1 to 4 p.m., and 7 to 10 p.m. Advance tickets cost $55 for each session, and $65 tickets are available for an advance VIP hour from 6 to 7 p.m., with MouCo cheese and beer pairings, VIP swag and more.

The event is a fundraiser for Big Bones Canine Rescue, an all-breed, non-profit dog rescue in Windsor.

Bluegrass and beer fest in Golden

UllrGrass (named for the Norse God of Winter) is a three-day festival of bluegrass music, beer, and Viking regalia in Parfet Park in downtown Golden. The music kicks off Friday, and the beer festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will be live music on two alternating stages, and craft brews and ciders from more than 30 craft makers. Evening shows on Friday and Saturday night will take place under heated tents. Sunday is family day at UllrGrass, with activities for kids of all ages, including an UllrEgg hunt, costume parade, crafts and more.

Stout tap takeover

Stout Month starts early at River North Brewery. A range of specialty stouts will be on tap starting at 1 p.m. at both taprooms.

Offerings include the Barrel-Aged Zero Over Zero, a collaboration with Burns Family Artisan Ales from 2020; and the first release of Bourbon Barrel-Aged Yet Another Stout, a British-style imperial stout aged in Laws barrels. Free reservations are available, including a free stout taster and 10 percent off all to-go beer.

Dry January at Station 26

Meanwhile, Dry January isn’t over yet. On Sunday, Athletic Brewing Co. will be at Station 26 Brewing in Denver from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday pouring samples of their non-alcoholic beers. Denver-based Glue Bunny Games will also bring tabletop and yard games to test or buy.

Trail support happy hour

Over Yonder Brewing in Golden will host a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. The Colorado Mountain Bike Association, Alchemy Bikes, and Swig & Sport will be on hand to talk about supporting trails. There will be chances to win prizes, check out gear and more. The first 20 people in the door get a free COMBA t-shirt.

Ski waxing and trivia night

Woods Boss Brewing in Denver hosts a skier party at 5 p.m. Saturday, with ski or snowboard waxing for $20 (including one beer), and three rounds of ski and snowboard trivia, with prizes.

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