Golden Moon open house, restaurant tours and sultry burlesque on the culinary calendar

Golden Moon Distillery is hosting an open house this weekend, offering provide guests samples of its hand-crafted herb liquors made in the same artisan fashion that originated in the mid-to-late 1800s. Although deeply rooted in traditional, old-school booze, these distillers are hip to the cocktail-crafting game, creating drinks like Violet...

By Loren Lorenzo

December 20, 2013

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Golden Moon Distillery is hosting an open house this weekend, offering provide guests samples of its hand-crafted herb liquors made in the same artisan fashion that originated in the mid-to-late 1800s. Although deeply rooted in traditional, old-school booze, these distillers are hip to the cocktail-crafting game, creating drinks like Violet Gin & Tonic and Death in the Afternoon (an absinthe-based cocktail). The open house starts today from noon to 6 p.m. and continues tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will b able to look around the distillery, chat with employees and taste the Golden Lily, a speciality cocktail made with Golden Moon's gin, dry Curacao and Crème de Violette, as well as the distillery's newest addition: Gun Fighter Whiskey, a seven-year bourbon. Absinthe will also be served in the traditional style -- you add cold water from a special fountain. To soak up the alcohol, there will also be snacks. And you can do your shopping while you do your drinking: There's a 10 percent discount for anyone purchasing a bottle or two or three from the distillery -- great for gifts!

Also today, Denver Savors the Flavors tour will make its way through the South Pearl Street 'hood, starting its culinary conquest at Pajama Baking Company. The tour runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and includes informal chef interactions, tastinga at four locations (within walking distance) and a happy hour. Tickets are $39 per person; call 303-495-5487.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 The GrowHaus is hosting a lesson in farming with Flourish Farms, which shares space with the Growhaus and runs a year-round, soil-less farm that grows a variety of greens, herbs and veggies alongside 400 pounds of live fish. Guests can learn how to be an urban farmer by feeding the fish, seeding, transplanting and harvesting the crops -- and at the end of the day, you can take home what you harvest. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased online.

Culinary Connectors offers another restaurant tour that starts at 2 p.m. Second Home Kitchen & Bar and continues to two other locations. Guests will get a behind-the-scenes look at Denver kitchens, where they can chat with the chefs and enjoy tastings with wine or beer pairings. Tickets are $99 person and include transportation (when necessary), find more information on the Culinary Connectors website.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 Jax Fish House in Glendale will host a jazz brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring The Hot Club of Pearl Street Band. Make your Sunday a fun day with $5 mimosas and $7 Bloody Marys. Check out the full brunch menu here.

The last holiday tea on the mezzanine at the Hotel Boulderado will run from noon to 1:45 p.m. today and feature not just an elegant array of dainty sandwiches, cases and pastries, as well as live music, but a special guest: Santa Claus. Tickets are $24 for adults and $18 for kids twelve and under; make reservations online or by calling the hotel at 303-440-2880.

Quiznos has created a Bronco-inspired sandwich in honor of wide receiver Wes Welker: The Wild Wild Wes. Starting at 11 a.m. today, you can get the new sub on game days for only $0.83 with the purchase of any other sub. The Wild Wild Wes features smoked turkey and pepper jack cheese, paired with Quiznos' Batch 83 four pepper chili sauce. This offer is available at all Denver and Boulder Quiznos locations.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings -- and if you have information for a culinary event you'd like included in our online calendar, send it to [email protected].

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