Oskar Blues and residents of Longmont, Colorado, and Brevard, North Carolina, raised $7,000 last week at fundraisers designed to help Michelle Wilkins, the Longmont woman who was attacked by Dynel Lane, who was pretending to sell baby and maternity clothes on Craigslist; that story made national and international headlines because of the horrible nature of the crime. Wilkins had recently moved to Longmont from Brevard, which gives her and Oskar Blues similar ties: The brewery's two major production facilities are located in those towns. Oskar Blues had previously donated $10,000; additional donations can be made online at Wilkins's GoFundMe page or mailed to the Michelle Wilkins Trust Fund, c/o The Kapsak Law Firm, LLC, 1610 Hover Street, Suite 203, Longmont, Colorado 80501.

Wednesday, April 29
Crooked Stave will release Petite Sour Tart Cherry and St. Bretta Late Spring at 6 p.m. today in its taproom. Tart Cherry is the fourth varietal in Crooked Stave’s Petite Sour series. "This 5.5 percent ABV beer pours a rich red, with a snap of tartness from the addition of the equivalent of over a pound per gallon of sour cherries, after being primary fermented in oak with Crooked Stave’s mixed culture of wild yeast and bacteria," the brewery says. "St. Bretta Late Spring, the newest edition to Crooked Stave’s seasonal line of Brettanomyces Citrus Wildbier, showcases Tango Mandarin citrus, a slightly sweet varietal with vibrant aromas. Crooked Stave tweaked the recipe slightly for this batch of St. Bretta, adding lemongrass and citrus zest, in addition to the Tango Mandarin juice."

Thursday, April 30
The Denver Bicycle Cafe is hosting a beer and cheese pairing at 7 p.m. featuring gourmet cheeses hand-picked to match a selection of four beers from Station 26 Brewing. Former chef Nate Cougill will lead through the cheeses, while Chelsea from Station 26 will explain the beers. Tickets are $20.

Friday, May 1
Every year since 2012, Breckenridge Brewery has made a special beer for Denver Comic Con, a beer that is served at the annual event and at various bars around town. This year's beer is called Hulk’s Mash and was named, as always, via a social media contest; the lucky namer was Jonathan Cooper. The brew, a pale ale made with mango puree and Mosaic hops, will debut today at the 1up on East Colfax. Leading up to and through Comic Con, which runs May 23 through May 25, Hulk’s Mash can be found at Breckenridge Colorado Craft, Hard Rock Café, Hyatt Regency, Marlowe’s, Paramount Café, Pizza Republica, Tarantula Billiards, The 1up (Colfax and LoDo locations), Tilted Kilt and World of Beer.

"Luscious ripe red raspberries are elegantly intertwined with a bountiful amount of lactic acidity and delicate barrel nuances to cultivate this stunning sour ale," says Avery Brewing about its new beer, Raspberry Sour, which it will release today at the brewery in 22-ounce bomber bottles as part of a new series called Botanicals & Barrels. Bottles will also be on store shelves in Avery's distribution area. Upcoming releases in this series include Vanilla Bean Stout and Coconut Porter, both aged in bourbon barrels.

Saturday, May 2
Goldspot Brewing will help Regis University students celebrate their graduation today by opening at 8 a.m. for beers and a breakfast buffet catered by the brewery's neighbor, the Noshery. 9 Pan Catering & Smokehouse will be serving lunch at 1 p.m.

The South Denver Beer Fest will return to Littleton's Clement Park today and tomorrow from 2 to 5 p.m. with more than 150 beers (ciders and wines) from eighty breweries; most are local, although there are several from other states and countries. Guests have access to unlimited tastings, a souvenir tasting cup, a beer education area and shuttle service from the downtown Littleton light rail; they can also vote on their favorite beers. Tickets are $40 in advance for general admission and $50 at the door. There are also pricier VIP tix available that give guests access to more good stuff. Go to imbibe-events.com for information.

Odyssey Beewerks has added a new beer, Palm Tree Caribbean Lager, to its lineup of canned beers. "An homage to the islands, with a flourish of spicy hops and a deep malt character, this Pilsner is crisp and refreshing," the brewery says. First brewed last summer, the beer was popular enough to bring back in a package. To celebrate its release, the brewery will have a party today starting at noon. There will also be a special $30 VIP package starting at 11 a.m.

Echo Brewing in Frederick will celebrate its third anniversary today with beers, food trucks, live music and a pro slackline competition from 2 to 6 p.m. with Voodoo Slacklines, Slackers Slackline & Zipline and the Association of Slackline Professionals.

City Star Brewing in Berthoud will mark its third birthday today beginning at noon, when it will release Chili The Kid and Vaquero, two new beers. There will be live music by aka Laser Bunny from 3 to 6 p.m. and the Fretliners from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shopey's Sandwiches food truck will be on hand; there will also be cupcakes.

Sunday, May 3
Avery Brewing will host a release party and bottle sale today for No. 28 in its Barrel-Aged Series. Fortuna is an 8.1 percent ABV beer aged in Suerte tequila barrels for nine months. Avery then added fresh lime and Maldon salt; it calls the beer "sour, salty and citric awesomeness."

The South Denver Beer Fest returns to Littleton's Clement Park today from 2 to 5 p.m. with more than 150 beers (ciders and wines) from eighty breweries; most are local, although there are several from other states and countries. Guests have access to unlimited tastings, a souvenir tasting cup, a beer education area and shuttle service from downtown Littleton light rail; they can also vote on their favorite beers. Tickets are $40 in advance for general admission and $50 at the door. There are also pricier VIP tix available that give guests access to more good stuff. Go to imbibe-events.com for information.

Wednesday, May 6
Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc., (CHUN), which hosts the long-running annual People's Fair, taking place June 6-7, will host a weekly concert series through May at Lost Highway Brewing that is dedicated to promoting this year's event by highlighting the various bands that will play. Today's bands are Six Foot Joe & The Red Hot Rhinos, 6 to 6:45 p.m., and Rachel and the Ruckus, 7 to 8 p.m. They will be followed on May 13 by Biff Gore Band and P-Nuckle. After that, it's Stolen Instruments and The Mighty Nice Band on May 20, and Barry Shapiro Band and Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts on May 27.

This month, Copper Kettle Brewing age its Naja Imperial Red IPA on a variety of woods to create different flavors for its weekly cask program. Today's is Naja with red oak. Califoria Wrap Runner will be serving food at 5 p.m.

Friday, May 8
Inspired by its Collaboration Fest beer with Strange Craft Beer, Copper Kettle Brewing will tap a variation of it today — an American blonde with basil and cherries. Amazeballs will be there at 2 p.m. serving meatball combinations.

Saturday, May 9
The Boulder County New Brew Fest, hosted the Colorado Beer Trail, returns to Whistlestop Park in Niwot today, showcasing thirty Boulder County-area breweries and cideries, all of them under five years old. Eight of the thirty breweries are new to the event; Boulder County has approximately 65 craft breweries and cideries in in total, with approximately half under five years old. The fest runs from 1 to 5 p.m. (general admission) with VIP guests getting in at noon. GA tickets are $40 in advance and $45 the day of. VIP costs $85.

Sunday, May 10
Station 26 hosts its monthly Bluegrass Brunch today starting at 11 a.m. and featuring beer, live music from The Lonesome Days, donuts from Glazed & Confuzed, and barbecue from Rolling Smoke.

Monday, May 11
Small and independent craft breweries will be celebrated across the country starting today with the return of the annual American Craft Beer Week, which runs through May 17. "All 50 states will hold events including exclusive brewery tours, special craft beer releases, food and beer pairings, tap takeovers and more to honor the ever-advancing craft beer culture and unite tens of thousands of beer lovers nationwide," says the Boulder-based Brewers Association. We will list some of them here. Find more listings at craftbeer.com.

Tuesday, May 12
Ernie’s Bar & Pizza is hosting its second annual female brewer tap takeover featuring beer from around the country that were brewed by women (with a focus on Colorado). The takeover kicks off today, in celebration of American Craft Beer Week, when the majority of the brewers will be on hand at Ernie’s for the Pink Boots Society Reception where guests will have the opportunity to meet the brewers, sample beers and enjoy live music. The beers will remain on tap through Friday, May 15, and are expected to sell out fast. Ernie’s will donate fifty cents from each pint sold to the Pink Books Scholarship Fund to help send a female brewer to school.

Wednesday, May 13
Former Future and Maria Empanada will hold their third beer and empanada pairing today from 7 to 10 p.m. You get four beers and four empanadas for $12.

This month, Copper Kettle Brewing age its Naja Imperial Red IPA on a variety of woods to create different flavors for its weekly cask program. Today's is Naja with Hickory spirals.

Thursday, May 15
To celebrate American Craft Beer Week, Copper Kettle Brewing has teamed up with Tender Belly for a custom bacon-pairing event tonight at 7 p.m. For $25 (excluding tax and tip), you get four gourmet bacons, four craft beer samples and fresh fruit. The pairing takes place inside Copper Kettle's event center next door. This will sellout. Get tickets at eventgrid.com/Events/16078.

Denver Beer Co will celebrate ACBW and the release of its Princess Yum Yum Raspberry Kölsch in cans by offering free tours and taster flights from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the brewery's Canworks production facility.

Saturday, May 16
Upslope Brewing will host its second annual Upslope Get Down today from 1 to 11 p.m. at its larger Flatiron Park location. The event is a free music festival with eight bands on two stages, and also features plenty of beer and food in the back parking lot. 

A Berliner Weisse Smackdown will take place today at the newly opened Two Penguins Tap & Grill in Centennial. The showdown takes place between the Elk Mountain and Dry Dock breweries, which will each bring their best Berliner Weisse to the table. Two Penguins will be serving four-ounce blind tasters of each brew, $6 for both, and asking customers to rate them.

Grist Brewing will release a limited number of bottles of Virgil's Reserve today at noon at the taproom. "This beer started out as our 3rd Ring Belgian Strong Ale and has been naturally souring in wine barrels for several months," the brewery says.

Caution: Brewing will host its third anniversary party today at Caution East in Denver starting at noon today. There will be a pig roast, live music, cool new beer tappings and more.

Copper Kettle will host a beer and chocolate pairing today at 7 p.m. with four gourmet Hawaiian chocolates from Cacao Girl Chocolates and four craft beer samples. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or in the tap room:

Wednesday, May 20
This month, Copper Kettle Brewing age its Naja Imperial Red IPA on a variety of woods to create different flavors for its weekly cask program. Today's is Naja with cherrywood chips.

Wednesday, May 27
This month, Copper Kettle Brewing age its Naja Imperial Red IPA on a variety of woods to create different flavors for its weekly cask program. Today's is Naja with sassafras chips.

Friday, May 29
Odell Brewing will kick off a three-day party in its taproom today to celebrate a new beer called Barrel Thief. The 9.4 percent ABV Imperial IPA "was stolen from the brew house and stashed away in medium toast, new American oak barrels. The brew features a notorious tropical fruit hop character that tangles with hints of vanilla, dried fruit, and toasted nut from its time served in the barrel," the brewery says. Odell will have it on tap and will be selling it in 750 ml bottles in liquor stores.

Follow Westword's Beer Man on Twitter at @ColoBeerMan and on Facebook at Colo BeerMan