American Craft Beer Week Highlights

Today is the first day of the 8th annual American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) sponsored by the Boulder-based Brewers Association. This week is the largest national effort focusing on the country's small brewing companies. Here in Colorado where we sport more than 180 craft breweries, it's no surprise that beer week events are happening en mass across the state. Here are some you shouldn't miss this week:

Monday, May 13
Old Chicago Tap Takeover feat. Odell Brewing Co.
All of Old Chicago's Colorado locations will feature Odell's new Montage Variety Pack beers on draft, in addition to their flagships like Easy Street Wheat, 90 Shilling Ale and IPA. Patrons will also have the chance to win brewery swag giveaways at the restaurants throughout the week.

Tuesday, May 14
ACBW at Rackhouse Pub
Beginning Tuesday, Denver's Rackhouse Pub will host 5 straight nights of special tappings from breweries across the state. For more details visit rackhousepub.com

Wednesday, May 15
Craft for the Climate
Twisted Pine Brewing Company is giving away free packets of flower seeds and honoring those who biked to the brewery with free pints.

Thursday, May 16
Boulder BEER FEST
As part of the national Coast to Coast Toast, a nationwide toast for beer week that takes place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. MST, the Boulder History Museum will host 13 Boulder county breweries for a tasting festival. The outdoor event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Crafting A Nation Screening
The new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Aspen Grove will host a screening of Crafting A Nation a documentary about the country's craft beer culture produced by Colorado-based director Thomas Kolicko. The screening begins at 7 p.m., just after the Coast to Coast Toast. Click here for tickets.

Friday, May 18
Denver Beer Co and Mikes2 Kitchen Spring Beer Dinner
Celebrate ACBW with a three-course, four-beer dinner for $50 per person in the Barrel Room at Denver Beer Co.. Enjoy a welcome beer, a fried herb goat cheese croquette with Walt Weisse beer, seared salmon over a hash with a Chardonnay barrel-aged saison, and chiffon cake with berries and cream paired with barleywine. Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available here.

Saturday, May 19
First Anniversary Party at CAUTION
Happy first anniversary to Denver's CAUTION: Brewing Company! The party begins at 11 a.m. in their east Denver taproom, where American Craft Beer Radio will broadcast live one hour later. The brewery will have 16 beers on tap and live music for the rest of the day.

Littlest Beer Fest
This festival by Hops & Pie is quickly becoming a Denver favorite. Join the restaurant as they feature beers from California's The Bruery, including Sour In The Rye, Saison de Lente, Humulus Lager, White Oak, Tradewinds and Mischief. Flights and single pours are available beginning at noon.

Sunday, May 20
ROY-G-BIV Day
The much anticipated completion of Crooked Stave's Wild Wild Brett series is upon us... perfect timing for American Craft Beer Week. The brewery will pour their seven color-themed brews in intervals throughout the day. Taste the rainbow while you can— the new Wild Wild Brett Violet will be available for purchase beginning at noon until it sells out.

That's just a sampling of the many tappings, beer dinners, and special events occurring in Colorado during American Craft Beer Week. For a more complete lineup of events, visit craftbeer.com, or visit your favorite brewery's webpage. Don't forget the Coast to Coast Toast on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.!

· Alamo Drafthouse Opens [EDen]
· Renegade Publick House Opens [EDen]
· Hogshead Brewery on 54 Imperial Gallons of Beer [EDen]