New breweries, growing breweries, dead and undead beers -- all in our beer calendar

In Denver, Black Shirt Brewing has added a new brewhouse and replaced some equipment that should allow greater distribution, new beers and more barrel-aging. Wit's End Brewing, meanwhile, which has been operating on a tiny, one-barrel system since opening in in 2011, will replace it with a seven-barrel system during the first half of 2014. That should allow the nanobrewery to keep more of its brews on tap and maybe sell kegs to bars and restaurants around town as well.

Elevation Beer Company has purchased two new sixty-barrel fermentation tanks and a second grain silo, which will allow the Poncha Springs brewery to increase its capacity by nearly 25 percent and brew up to 4,000 barrels in 2014. The new tanks will be used exclusively for storing 8 Second Kölsch, a lager that takes five weeks to make, and means the beer will be available for wide distribution in four-packs. It will also free up space for other beers and could allow the brewery to begin out-of-state distribution.

Turn the page for all of this week's craft beer events.

October is Dead Styles month (comprised of styles that hardly anybody brews anymore) at Copper Kettle Brewing, which will break open a new cask each Wednesday. Today's beer is Kentucky Common, a dark cream ale, which will be tapped at 3 p.m. The Ckrepes food truck will be a the brewery at 4:30 p.m.

River North Brewing will pour two versions of its Abbey-style BPR today for Wayward Wednesday, straight up and dry-hopped! First pour at 3 p.m.

Friday, October 25

Caution Brewing will host a Hallowbeer Bash today from 4 to 8 p.m., at which they will re-release their Toaster Bat Black. There will also be a costume contest with prizes, food from the Pride of Philly Food Truck, tunes from DJ Mikey Mike and Halloween goodies.

Colorado Plus Brewpub will host a min--tap takover by Brewery Rickoli today from 7 to 9 p.m. Rickoli will have five of its beers flowing there.

Dry Dock Brewing breaks out that most elusive of beers, a peanut butter cup porter, as part of its weekly Firkin Friday program. The cask will be tapped at 3 p.m.

Saturday, October 26

Lone Tree Brewing will be selling 22-ounce bottles of its limited-release Hop Zombie Red IPA today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (or while supplies last) -- a now-annual tradition. Only 75 cases of Hop Zombie will be available, and based on last year's sales, Lone Tree expects to sell out by the end of the day. Bottles are $9. Hop Zombie is an India Red Ale, "full of delicious malt sweetness balanced by full-flavored hops with bright citrus, light fresh grass and pine notes," the brewery says. A small amount will be available on tap.

Odell Brewing will introduce Woodcut No. 7, the seventh brew in its series of beers aged in new oak barrels, in its Fort Collins tap room today and tomorrow. Guests can try the brew paired with a variety of cheese and chocolate samples from Whole Foods Market Fort Collins, as well as live music from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The beer, a Russian Imperial Stout, was brewed with "a hearty portion of pale, roasted and chocolate malts for a strong backbone and a deep thick body," the brewery says. "Woodcut No. 7 rings in at 12.5 percent ABV and boasts notes of chocolate, vanilla, graham cracker, and brown sugar in the nose. The chocolate carries through in the flavor with hints of maple, vanilla and toffee from the wood." The beer will be sold in bottles soon as well.

Sunday, October 27

Sixteen Front Range breweries are getting together today from noon to 5 p.m. at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids in Longmont for the CAN'd Aid Beer Fest, which will feature rare beer tastings to raise funds for flood victims in Colorado. There will belive music from Grant Farm, Felonious Smith, and Rocktin Grove, and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit CAN'd Aid, which the brewery created in response to the flooding.

Wednesday, October 30

Left Hand Brewing will take over the taps at Renegade Publik House at 6:30 p.m. today to give people a taste of some of their rare and award-winning beers, including Milk Stout Nitro, Saw Tooth Nitro, Wake Up Dead Nitro, and Fade to Black, Volume 1. Tasters of all five and a side of candied bacon and walnut brittle are $10. The first 24 people to order a Left Hand beer get a souvenir glass.

Thursday, October 31

Avery Brewing will take over seven of the taps at the Lowry Beer Garden today through the weekend, featuring their popular Angels and Demons series brews. Enjoy Salvation, The Reverend, Hog Heaven, Samael's, The Beast, Bad Apples and White Rascal. Prizes and giveaways all weekend long.

Friday, November 1

Hops & Pie brings back Firkin 1st Friday today at 6 p.m. by tapping a cask of Epic Brewing's 6.2 percent ABV Escape to Colorado IPA that has been conditioned with whole-leaf Simcoe hops.

Upslope Brewing is celebrating its fifth anniversary with back-to-back parties. The first is today from 2 to 10 p.m. at the brewery's original Lee Hill location. There will be live music, food and special beer tappings.The second will be tomorrow at the new production brewery and taproom in Flatiron Park. More details to come.

Saturday, November 2

Grist Brewing Company in Highlands Ranch will celebrate its grand opening today starting at noon. Grist, the first independently-owned craft brewery to open in Highlands Ranch, will have eight beers available, including Kolsch, IPA, Hefeweizen, Brown, Stout, and a Belgian Strong Ale. Four-ounce tasters will be available along with pints, half-pints and 32-ounce growlers. The El Toro the Tot food truck will be on hand all day.

Upslope Brewing is celebrating its fifth anniversary with back-to-back parties. The second one is today from 2 to 8 p.m. at the brewery's new Flatiron Park location. There will be special beer tappings, including their 5th Anniversary Ale (TBA), food from Blackbelly Catering with Chef Hosea of Bravo's Top Chef, and burgers from the Burger Radio food truck. There will also be live music.

The All Colorado Beer Festival takes place today from noon to 10 p.m. at the Freedom Financial Services Expo Center in Colorado Springs. There are four types of tickets, starting at $35 depending on which session you want to attend and other factors. There will be 45 brewers in attendance. Get tickets and info at the fest web site.