Monday, February 15:
This year's Beerdrinker of the Year Brew, Auld Rabbit (a molasses-infused brown ale brewed by Wynkoop head brewer, Andy Brown, and '09 Beerdrinker of the Year, Cody Christman) will be tapped at 5 p.m. and stay on tap for about three weeks. Get it while you can at the Wynkoop Brewing Company, 1634 18th Street. Call 303-297-2700 or visit www.wynkoop.com.
Celebrate Washington's Birthday by bringing in a $1 bill to Randolph's, 1776 Grant Street; with the purchase of any libation, you can trade your $1 for one of a selection of appetizers. Call 303-318-7272 or visit www.randolphsdenver.com.
Tuesday, February 16:
As part of Mountain Sun's Stout Month, the brewery is hosting a Usurper Vintage Tasting from 4:20 to 6 p.m. at Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery, 1535 Pearl Street in Boulder. Call 303-546-0886 or visit www.mountainsunpub.com.
The Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration will begin at the Wazee Supper Club with a parade for the sacrificial keg of Big Easy Lager; it'll be followed by another parade and party at the Wykoop Brewing Company, 1634 18th Street, with live music, Creole cuisine and complimentary masks, beads and more. It takes place from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is free; call 303-297-2700 or visit www.wynkoop.com.
The Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th Street, is the site of the Great Chefs of the West benefit for the National Kidney Foundation. Enjoy a cocktail reception, silent auction and food tasting (with dishes by top regional chefs) starting at 6 p.m. It's $75 to $150 to attend; visit www.kidneycimw.org/gcotw.
Both the Denver (1539 17th Street) and Boulder (928 Pearl Street) locations of Jax Fish House are hosting Beads, Beignets & Babies, with discounted Hurricane cocktails and a prix-fixe, multi-course menu with optional wine pairings. The Denver dinner is $33 and the Boulder dinner is $35; call 303-292-5767 for Denver or 303-444-1811 for Boulder.
The Fort, 19192 Highway 8 in Morrison, presents a wine tasting featuring wines from around the world. Cabernets, Sauvignons, Meritage & More runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and costs $37; reservations are recommended. Call 303-697-4771 or visit www.thefort.com.
Enjoy five different Avery brews for just $10 at the Avery Beer Tasting, which starts at 5 p.m. at Proto's Pizzeria Napoletana, 4670 Broadway in Boulder. Call 720-565-1050 or visit www.protospizza.com.
The Kitchen, 1039 Pearl Street in Boulder, offers an aphrodisiac Wine and Beer class at 5:30 p.m., featuring a four-course meal paired with wine and beer. It's $60, plus gratuity; reservations are required, so sign up fast. Call 303-544-5973 or visit www.thekitchencafe.com.
Bounce between Tryst (1512 Larimer Street), the Drink (1318 15th Street) and Mix Music Lounge (1320 15th Street) for three DJs, live body painting, free beads and masks, $3 Hurricanes and $4 Jager. Visit www.trystlounge.com.
Wednesday, February 17:
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, 2010 16th Street in Boulder, will donate 15 percent of the day's sales to the Boulder County AIDS Project as part of Eat Out for Boulder County AIDS Project. Call 303-442-1485 or visit www.bcap.org.
Also, Aji Latin American Restaurant, 1601 Pearl Street in Boulder, will donate 15 percent of the day's sales to the Boulder County AIDS Project as part of Eat Out for Boulder County AIDS Project. Call 303-442-3464 or visit www.bcap.org.
Thursday, February 18:
The Bonfils-Stanton Lecture Series features Arab/American: Landscape, Culture and Cuisine in Two Great Deserts with writer, lecturer and conservation scientist Gary Paul Nabhan; a tour of the Sacred Earth Garden and a Slow Food Denver tasting will precede the lecture at 5:15 and 6 p.m.; the lecture takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street. Admission is $20 to $30, or $110 to $140 for series tickets; e-mail your reservation to [email protected], and visit www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3580 for information.
Great Divide Brewing Co. hosts Hop Disciples, a monthly meeting of beer enthusiasts hosted by the Great Divide brewers. Please RSVP via e-mail to [email protected]; the meeting starts at 6 p.m. Great Divide is at 2201 Arapahoe Street; call 303-296-9460 or call www.greatdivide.com.
Friday, February 19:
The Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association presents Delightful Dishes and Dreamy Getaways, a silent auction plus unlimited food tasting at twenty different stations manned by hotel restaurant chefs from around the state, a hosted bar, entertainment, door prizes and more. Proceeds benefit Food Bank of the Rockies and the CHLA's Legislative Readiness Fund. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th Street, and costs $89 to attend; call 303-297-8335 or visit www.coloradolodging.com.
Great Divide Brewing Co., 2201 Arapahoe Street, throws a release party for its Hoss Rye Lager, Claymore Scotch Ale, Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and Colette Farmhouse Ale. The party runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and includes appetizers and beer for $20. Call 303-296-9460 or visit www.greatdivide.com.
Saturday, February 20:
The mixologists at the Bitter Bar, 835 Walnut Street in Boulder, are teaching a series of cocktail classes where you'll learn tricks of the trade and new techniques for building the perfect cocktail. Shake, Swizzle, Stir: Classic Cocktails takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. today and costs $25; for information, visit www.happynoodlehouse.com.
Go one-on-one with Randolph's chef at Learn to Cook with Chef Garrett, where you'll get insider's tips and techniques. It's $15 and takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Randolph's is at 1776 Grant Street. Call 303-318-72727 or visit www.randolphsdenver.com.
Denver Restaurant Week kicks off and runs through March 5, featuring multiple-course meals for two for $52.80 ($26.40 for one); visit www.denver.org/denverrestaurant for a full list of participating restaurants.
Bristol Brewing, 1647 South Tejon Street in Colorado Springs, hosts the Colorado Brewers Guild Annual Firkin Rendezvous, where you can enjoy unique cask ales and other special brews, plus a special tasting glass, food and more. Call 719-633-2555 or visit www.bristolbrewing.com/events.asp.
Sunday, February 21:
Zolo Southwestern Grill's 151 Days of Tequila keeps on rolling with today's Tequila Fest, where you can sample some of the finest tequilas in the world. Visit www.zologrill.com.
Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place in Greenwood Village, offers another Gospel Brunch: Enjoy inspiring R&B gospel music and a southern-style brunch at 11 a.m. Admission is $28 in advance and $35 at the door; call 720-274-6800 or visit www.comedyworks.com.
For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings.
