Friday, April 28
Fancy yourself a beer historian? Better up your game, then, because explaining the Reinheitsgebot to your date just doesn't pack the punch it did five years ago. Even more obscure is the buck beer, a Rocky Mountain-ized version of bock beer that first made its mark in Colorado almost 160 years ago. Tivoli Brewing Co., 900 Auraria Parkway, is bringing back the buck with a Buck Beer Bash tonight from 5 to 10 p.m., when fifteen breweries will be pouring in hopes of winning the drinker's choice award. Admission is free, but if you're a high roller, pony up the $25 for VIP tickets, which will entitle you to unlimited samples and VIP-area access; grab your tickets at eventbrite.com.
Saturday, April 29
The White Whale Room is one of the few places in town that manages to be everything (or at least lots of things) to all people: coffee shop, bar, cafe, oasis on the light rail. The spartan space at 415 South Cherokee Street is hosting Confines: Day & Night, an epic DJ showcase from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Drink specials, a full menu and dancing will keep things fun, plus a portion of the proceeds will be donated to bustoshow.org, a bus service running transportation to Red Rocks and other concert venues in an effort to reduce drunk driving. Check out the Facebook event page for more info about the party and to RSVP.
Bruz Beers is doubling down on its love of Belgians at the Belgian Brew Fest held at the brewery taproom, 1675 West 67th Avenue. Join the fun from 1 to 5 p.m. as ten Colorado breweries (including Bruz, River North, Crooked Stave, Briar Common and Copper Kettle) pour their Belgian beverages. You'll get unlimited pours for just $48, and several food trucks — including Street Frites, very Belgian indeed — will be on site to help you soak up the suds. And just in case you don't get enough to drink during the festival, you can take your wristband into Bruz's taproom for happy-hour pricing all night. Get tickets and a complete list of breweries and food trucks at the event website.
Just some of the rare whiskeys auctioned during Molly's 2016 Rare Whiskey Auction.
Courtesy of Molly's Spirits
Izakayas are hot right now; you know it's true when cooking schools in the suburbs start offering classes based on the cooking style. We can't be mad, though, because, well, it's Japanese bar food, and it's delicious. Take your bro, bae or BFF down to Uncorked Kitchen, 8171 South Chester Street in Centennial, tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. and learn how to make yakitori, karaage, gyoza and more in the Japanese Pub Food class. The price tag looks steep ($210), but that's per couple, and you'll leave with a belly full of bok choy and beef. Sign up at Uncorked's website.
Keep reading for more events.
Sunday, April 30
Puppies or brunch? It's a tough call: Puppies are adorable by definition, and while brunch is great, we've definitely had some lousy ones. Luckily, you don't have to choose between fluffballs and fabulous food. Hotel Teatro and The Nickel are celebrating National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day by filling their lobby with pups from Lifeline Puppy Rescue (check out the organization's website for more heart-stoppingly cute pics). For a minimum donation of $5, you'll get to carouse with the canines and then enjoy a free cocktail from the Nickel — that is, if you don't end up adopting one of the little guys first. Puppy Playtime and Brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1100 14th Street.
After you get your fill of puppy cuddles, head over to Bistro Barbès (5021 East 28th Avenue) for a Château Musar Vineyards wine dinner at 6 p.m. tonight. Five of the Lebanese wines (including vintages going back to 1994) will be paired with a menu that includes halibut cheeks and smoked potato croquettes and a peppercorn-crusted rack of lamb with merguez sausage. The cost for the blowout is $100; RSVP to 720-398-8085. Check out the Vineyard Wine Shop's website for details about the wine and the menu.
