Local breweries are celebrating the spooky season, and also helping North Carolina colleagues through a scary time.

We also have news on an ownership change at Jagged Mountain, a Broomfield brewery that’s for sale and more.

Did they pay off?

Winners include Cannonball Creek, which continued its streak, and the first medal for Burns Family Artisan Ales.

This is the busiest week of the year for Denver-area beer events.

The event, which takes place on Thursday and Friday, brings together some of the country’s best chefs.

Events like this have become a rarity on the festival circuit – are beer festivals really dying?

Changes this year include new experience areas such as Prost!, a German biergarten and even a Halloween-themed area.

Over 35 breweries, including heavy hitters from out of state, will compete for the crown.

TRVE’s Asheville location was able to reopen, but New Belgium’s NC outpost experienced serious flooding from Hurricane Helene.

Vanishing West took over the former Lady Justice Brewing location in the Aurora Cultural Arts District.

Oktoberfest parties, including BarkToberfest, abound in late September.

There are also some can’t-miss events this weekend including the inaugural Denver Highlands Oktoberfest & Market.

‘Tis the season!

We also have a new beer of the week, an ale made with Pueblo and serrano chiles that actually packs some heat.

“This technology is amazing but it really comes down to the people,” notes the brewery’s president, David Deline.

There’s also news of another closure – Battle Mountain Brewing in Castle Rock, which will pour its last beer on August 31.

Other highlights include FlyteCo’s transitioning to a weekday co-working space, a new Prost biergarten and more.

“It kind of puts your foot on the ground in the whiskey world.”

Troy and Ray Beer are the founders of Littleton Brewing Company, which will debut later this year.

There are also three breweries celebrating anniversaries this weekend: Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Cohesion and Woods Boss.