Hit a taproom for concert tickets, knitting circles and more

By Tiffany Thompson

Colorado and craft beer are a classic combination, as recognizable to some of its residents as peanut butter and jelly. The state has a long history with the art of crafting beer, dating back at least to the Gold Rush. The tradition continues to this day in the form of numerous beer festivals and breweries found all across our many counties. Now, many breweries are adding new ingredients to the well-known combo by pairing beer selections with other fun activities. Sports clubs, chess nights and escape rooms are offered at breweries around the state, and we’ve gathered a list of some of the off-the-beaten-path activities.

Snag some fee-free concert tickets at Ratio Beerworks

Love concert tickets but hate paying additional fees? On the last Friday of every month, the Rino location of Ratio Beerworks offers just this sort of experience, plus a little more. On Fan Friday’s, Ratio teams up with AEG to offer fee-free concert tickets to select AEG shows. The event isn’t just an opportunity to buy fee-free tickets – it also includes a live DJ set and a free beer with the purchase of a ticket, turning a purchasing experience into a party.

Past tickets available for purchase have included concerts like Punk in the Park, Unhinged Fest and Darkside. Tickets to different kinds of shows are available every month. This event is ideal for frequent concert-goers to avoid additional ticket fees and have a good time doing it.

Join an unconventional book club at Zymos Brewing

Not Your Mother’s Book Club lives up to its name. Located at Zymos Brewing in Littleton, this book club is unconventional and flexible in its reading requirements, with the goal of hosting a club that’s more about fun and less about homework.

Inspired by both the owners’ and members' dislike of forcing themselves to finish books they’re just not into (a dilemma experienced by every book-lover), Not Your Mother’s Book Club keeps the reading list easygoing. Instead of assigning one book to read, every month the club decides on three reading prompts, like “find a book that features queer normativity.” Members then use these prompts to choose their own books.

The overall goal of the book club is to create a unique experience. “As a queer-owned brewery, we often focus at least one topic on queer writing, but they can also be very silly, like ‘a book with food on the cover’ or ‘a book you've been avoiding reading,” explains Tyler Tift, one of the owners of Zymos. “The goal is to encourage folks to read something they may not have normally read and talk about it!”

Not Your Mother’s Book Club is scheduled every third Sunday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Zymos lounge. It is an after-hours event, so members can sit back, relax and focus on the books with beer on tap. Tift recommends Barnabus's Favorite, an imperial pastry stout: “It's one of our flagships, available on both regular and nitro draft, and a great book beer.” However, a nearly full taplist is available over the course of the evening, so, like the book club's reading list, there is plenty to choose from. Challenge your mind with a game of chess at Woods Boss Brewing Company

For three years, Woods Boss Brewing Company in Denver has been the home of Oprah’s Rook Club, a weekly chess club that takes place every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. The origin of the club is as natural as can be. “We started out as just a few friends who wanted to play chess and drink beer and now we have grown to host around 50-70 people every week.” says Grant Stringham, an organizer of Oprah's Rook Club.

Given the club's origins, growth and longevity, the club launched a yearly celebration. While all of Woods Boss beers pair perfectly with a good game of chess, the brewery whips up something special every year for the Chess Club Anniversary Party. “We rebrand our Czech Dam Pilsner and call it the CzechMate Pils to pay tribute to the wonderful game of chess,” says taproom leader Rachel Morgan.

This year’s anniversary party was held on July 16. Check with the brewery to see if any of the pilsner is still on tap. Every week, Oprah’s Rook Club provides participants with everything they need to play a game of chess, so there’s no need for interested individuals to bring their own supplies. Chess beginners who may be intimidated by joining a chess club, fear not! It’s all for fun at Oprah’s Rook Club. “We try to keep things as casual and fun as possible and take stress out of chess. It’s only competitive if people want it to be,” Grant says.

Whether the desire is for competition, fun or both, Oprah’s Rook Club at Woods Boss Brewing Company is an excellent place to exercise the mind while sipping on a cold one.

Take a brisk evening run at City Star Brewing

Some might say that alcohol and exercise don’t mix, but City Star Brewing begs to differ. Located in Berthoud, City Star is the creator of multiple award-winning brews and is home to a stunning patio and taproom. Along with their comfortable setting and their award-winning libations, City Star also offers the chance to make new friends through their weekly Social Run event.

The Social Run is held every Thursday, 6 to 7 p.m. The meetings offer two distance options, and welcome people of all different running speeds.

“Our downtown Berthoud brewery values community, so we are always looking to host events that foster that, and starting up a run club felt like a great fit,” says Alex Sage of City Star Brewing. “Through the run club, folks have been able to make new lasting connections with others in town and it's really great to see how this event has evolved over time and continues to grow.”

As an added incentive, participants in the Thursday Social Runs can also enjoy a $3 post-run beer. The choice of beer depends on the taste of the individual. Sage notes that “while some runners go for something light and crushable like our Cowboy's Golden or hard seltzer, others reward themselves richly with some of our barrel-aged imperial stouts.” Whatever the runners choose, the Thursday Social Run at City Star Brewing is a great way to get some steps in, make new friends, and earn a rewarding beer at a discounted price.

Spin a yarn with new friends at Odd 13 Brewing

Odd13 brewing in Lafayette has been breaking the mold since 2013 by combining their love of comic books with a passion for craft brewing to create beers pleasing to the eye as well as the taste buds. However, Odd13’s commitment to offering something unusual does not end at their beers; it also extends to events.

Every other Wednesday, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Odd13 hosts Needles and Pints, a fabric-centric event in which participants gather to work on their current knitting, crocheting or embroidery projects, chat with fellow crafters, and enjoy a beer made with creativity in mind. “We gather in a relaxed, welcoming space where fiber arts and local brews come together,” according to the website. “Swap tips, get inspired or just unwind with fellow makers over a cold beer. All skill levels are welcome – no pressure, just good company and great vibes.”

Click your needles together while trying out Codename: Superfan, a hazy New England IPA that serves as one of Odd13’s signature craft beers.

Escape from the taproom at Red Leg Brewing

For craft beer lovers, the idea of escaping from a taproom may seem contradictory to their desires. At Red Leg Brewing, this is not the case. This award-winning Colorado Springs brewery is flipping the script by offering a themed escape room experience with their Brews Clues events.

The escape rooms are written and designed by an experienced host, and each month offers a new theme. Previous themes include an escape from Dino Park and Pints of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Brew.

For those who are concerned about an escape room being a high-pressure situation, don’t worry! Each Brews Clues event is designed to be low-pressure and fun. “Escape rooms are all about collaboration, creative problem-solving, and having fun, which is exactly the kind of atmosphere we strive to create in our taproom every single day,” says Julia Schooley, social media and community coordinator at Red Leg Brewing, as well as the designer of Brews Clues. “We thought, why not bring that immersive, hands-on energy to the brewery? The result is a community-focused, slightly goofy, themed puzzle-solving experience that you can enjoy with a pint in hand.”

Red Leg Brewing hopes to host a Brews Clues event every month. Families, groups of friends and businesses are all welcome to solve a brain teaser and enjoy the evening with good beer in an easy-going atmosphere. As for what beer to try out during the event, Schooley proposes the brewery’s award-winning Howitzer Amber Ale. “We recommend something smooth and sessionable – you’ll want to keep your mind sharp if you want a shot at the prize.” Another favorite is Red Leg Brewings limited edition Quivering Kilts Coffee Scottish Ale. And for those who prefer mixed drinks, rumor has it that Red Leg is considering themed cocktails and mocktails to accompany their Brews Clues events.

Keep an eye on the events calendar on the Red Leg Brewing website to stay up to date for the next Brews Clues event.

Have some laughs in a unique setting at 6 and 40 Brewery

Lots of breweries offer comedy shows on their premises, but not all of them hold the comedy show in a beer barn. This is just one of the ways that 6 and 40 stands out. Located in Lakewood, the car-themed establishment takes the study of mechanics to the next level by applying their philosophy to the art of creating concoctions. “When you understand the mechanics of craft beer, you’re simply a better brewer,” their website says.

Beer Barn Comedy nights hosts both local and traveling comedians while offering a beer list that is updated on a monthly basis. The beers currently listed on their website promises a libation suitable for all tastes, from the Hot Honey Wheat Ale to the Direct Diesel Injection Hazy IPA. View the 6 and 40 Brewery calendar here for updates on the latest Beer Barn events, including upcoming comedy shows.

Tiffany Thompson is a Colorado-born writer and musician. In addition to her creative pursuits, she spends her time reading, checking out the Denver music scene, and watching movies with her partner and their cat.