Must-Attend Events In October: Denver Beer Fest, Chow Down Film Fest, and More

With the infamous Great American Beer Festival, countless Oktoberfests, and Halloween festivities coming up, October in Denver yields a lot of costumes and a lot of beers, in combination. Also this month, Boulder welcomes its first-ever food film festival, and the Denver Botanic Gardens are hosting an urban agriculture tour of Denver's inner-city farm projects, among many other food-centric events in the area. Now is the time to savor the recent harvest, take in the change of the seasons, and drink craft beer. Here's what's happening this month.

SOUS VIDE COOKING TRAINING
When: Wednesday October 2 through October 4
Where: Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts, Boulder
What: A three-day hands-on experience and theoretical instruction in the sous-vide cooking technique organized by the Culinary Research and Education Academy. The seminars are geared toward professional chefs and the organizers supply all equipment and materials.
More info and tickets: Culinary Research and Education Academy.

DENVER BEER FEST
When: Friday, October 4 to Saturday, October 12
Where: various locations
What: Denver explodes with craft beer-centric events in the days leading up to the Great American Beer Festival. Kick off the week at Stoney's Bar and Grill for an Oskar Blues tap takeover, and get ready for hundreds of tappings, beer dinners, presentations, meet-the-brewer gatherings, and other special events that go on for the next seven days.
More info and tickets: Visit denver.org.

DENVER OKTOBERFEST
When: Friday October 4, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday October 5, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday October 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Larimer Street, between 20th and 22nd
What: There's one weekend of Oktoberfest left. Long live this festival, back again for its 44th year with packed schedule of live music and events like a bratwurst eating contest and a stein raising contest. The VIP package includes all-you-can-eat brats, sausage, cole slaw, and potato salad; unlimited beer and cider from Sam Adams and Angry Orchard; and festival swag.
More info and tickets: Denver Oktoberfest

URBAN AGRICULTURE OF NORTHWEST DENVER TOUR
When: Saturday October 5, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: beginning and ending at Denver Botanic Gardens
What: Denver's urban agriculture projects Little Raven Farms, Clear Creek Organics and Sunnyside Up Farm are showcased on these farm tours by the Denver Botanic Gardens in Partnership with Slow Food Denver and Grow Local Colorado. Tours include catered lunch.
More information and tickets: $35 tickets and transportation available for $5; more information at botanicgardens.org.

MINERS BLAST
When: Saturday October 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Erie Community Park, 450 Powers Street Erie, CO 80516
What: Formerly called Erie Harvest Fest, this family gathering hosted by the Erie Chamber of Commerce is back for its 11th year. Kids get their pick of a free pumpkin from the onsite pumpkin patch. There will be local food vendors onsite and free hay rides all day.
More info and tickets: Miner's Blast

OKTOBERFEST AT SONNENALP
When: Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: The Sonnenalp Hotel, 20 Vail Road
What: This Bavarian-style fest serves authentic food and offers live music. There is a special ticket package that includes a two-night hotel stay, complimentary beers at the fest, and commemorative bier steins.
More info and tickets: Entry is free and guests pay per beer. For more information visit sonnenalp.com.

PLATES FOR THE PEAK
When: Monday, October 7; 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Vesta Dipping Grill
What: Plates for the Peak, now in its 10th year, will be hosted by Vesta Dipping Grill. Guests enjoy an array of small plates created by Executive Chef Brandon Foster while raising funds for Urban Peak, an organization that seeks to prevent homelessness and poverty among young people.
More info and tickets: Tickets cost $75. To purchase click here.

AN EPIC COLLABORATION DINNER
When: Tuesday October 8; sunset at 6:59 p.m.
Where: Euclid Hall
What: This pre-GABF event features rare beers and spirits from Central Coast brewer Firestone Walker Brewing Company and local distilling legend Leopold Bros. paired with eight courses from the culinary team at Euclid Hall. The larger-than-life menu created by Chef Jorel Pierce includes items like oysters with vanilla lime granita, salmon tartare, pheasant served with caramelized squash, and juniper-rubbed venison haunch.
More info and tickets: Tickets are $100 per person including tax and gratuity, and can be purchased here.

CHOW DOWN FILM FESTIVAL
When: Wednesday October 9 to Sunday October 13
Where: University of Colorado's Muenzinger Auditorium, Boulder Public Library's Canyon Theater
What: The inaugural Chow Down: IFS Food Film Festival, sponsored by Lucky's Market, is part of the International Film Series (IFS) at the University of Colorado. Boulder's first food cinema festival features six films and one short film that approach the place taste has in our lives from diverse viewpoints and genres. The films, including Les Blank's gastro-documentary Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers and the film A Place at the Table, will be introduced by experts like Master Sommelier and Frasca Food and Wine co-owner Bobby Stuckey and Eric Skokan, owner and chef of Black Cat Farm-Table-Bistro and Bramble and Hare. Related culinary events, including a Hummus Throwdown, will take place at local restaurants.
More info and tickets: Tickets cost $7, or $6 for students and seniors, and festival passes to all of the films are available for $25. Visit chow-down.com for the complete film lineup and more details.

GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL
When: October 10, 11, and 12
Where: Colorado Convention Center
What: Now in its 32nd year, the Great American Beer Festival has grown from a gathering of 22 brewers pouring 400 beers to an internationally acclaimed festival with more than 670 brewers pouring almost 3500 beers. GABF has about 49,000 attendees. A festival highlight is the Farm to Table Pavilion that pairs brewers with local chefs for tastes of collaborative pairings. This festival might sell out in about 45 minutes flat, but that's not to say those who didn't get tickets wont experience it— GABF creates a multi-million dollar economic impact on the city, and makes for some great parties.
More info and tickets: greatamericanbeerfestival.com

3RD ANNUAL BOULDER BURGUNDY FESTIVAL
When: October 18 through 20
Where: Various locations in Boulder
What: The three-day event, which sold out fast in the last two years, aims to afford buyers and consumers of fine Burgundy the opportunity to taste, learn, and enjoy the rare and limited wines of this magical region in France. Seminars and events will feature celebrated master sommeliers from across the country including Raj Parr of Michael Mina Restaurants and Shayn Bjornholm, examination director for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas. Local master sommeliers Richard Betts, of My Essential Wines and Saint Glinglin Wines and Bobby Stuckey of Frasca Food and Wine, as well as Brett Zimmerman, organizer of the festival and owner of the Boulder Wine Merchant, will also be participating. Highlights of the festival include the Rare Burgundy dinner at Frasca Food and Wine for which a very limited number of seats are still available.
More info and tickets: Boulder Burgundy Festival.

HARVEST FESTIVAL AT KINGMAN ESTATES WINERY
When: Saturday, October 19; 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: Kingman Estates Winery
What: This urban winery celebration will serve complimentary wine samples, $5 glasses of wine, gourmet Colorado brats by Dogtown Concessions, a Colorado wine blending competition, a cigar and wine pairing, and face painting. Families are welcome and children's tickets are free.
More info and tickets: To purchase $35 tickets, click here.

DAY OF THE DEAD AT COMIDA
When: Wednesday October 30, 6 p.m.
Where: Longmont Comida, 721 Confidence Drive
What: There will be a Dia de Los Muertos Party at the Longmont Comida location to honor past loved ones with a special menu from Chef Serena Romeo that includes drink pairings. There will also be a halloween costume contest with a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Comida.
More info and tickets: The multi-course meal with drink pairings costs $65 before tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 720.204.6455.

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