Denver Food and Wine to Boulder Burgundy Festival: The Events You Shouldn't Miss in September and Beyond

With Labor Day behind us and the arrival of September, summer may be over for some, but the food and wine parties in the Mile High City are just warming up. There are festivals, multi-chef special dinners, beer events, and more everywhere in Denver and surrounding areas. From the upcoming Denver Food and Wine Festival to Taste of the Nation and an extravagant sous vide cooking class, here's a rundown of what's coming up in the next month:

9th ANNUAL DENVER FOOD AND WINE CLASSIC
When: September 3 through September 8
Where: Metro State University and other locations
What: A multi-day food and wine experience in Denver with events ranging from Grand Tasting to special dinners and everything in between. Tickets can be purchased for individual events. Highlights include a special dinner with guest chef and butcher Brian Polcyn at Panzano, a battle of the chefs that includes John Broening of Le Grand Bistro, Tyler Wiard of Elway's, and Mark DeNittis of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Meat, and Art of the Cocktail event featuring some of Denver's best bartenders.
More information and tickets: Denver Food and Wine

TOUR DE FAT
When: September 7, parade registration starts at 10 a.m.,
Where: City Park – West Side
What: New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire and other award-winning beers, is bringing the 14th annual Tour de Fat back to Denver. Enjoy eclectic entertainment and stellar beer, all while helping local bicycle nonprofits raise funds. All proceeds from beer and merchandise sales and donations from parade participants will help make Denver a better place to ride a bike.
More info and tickets: Admission is free. There is a $5 or more suggested donation for the parade. Beer will be cheap and plentiful: $5 for a 16 ounce pour. For more information, visit the event's webpage.

FESTIVAL ITALIANO
When: September 7 and 8. Saturday hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Belmar- approximately 464 S Teller Street in Lakewood. The event is held on West Alaska Drive and South Teller Street, Free Parking.
What: The two-day free celebration of Italian culture, food, wine and artisans attracts over 120,000 guests annually. There are homemade Italian specialties, as well as an artisan marketplace, live music on two stages, live chef demonstrations and kids activities like grape stomping! There will also be performances by festival flag throwers flown in from Italy for the weekend (in full traditional festival attire) and the competitive bocce tournament. A portion of paid event elements benefit Project Angel Heart!
More info and tickets: No tickets needed. Check out Belmar for more information.

19TH ANNUAL BRECKENRIDGE OKTOBERFEST
When: September 13 through 15
Where: Main Street, Breckenridge
What: Oktoberfest is where Munich meets Breckenridge. The festival takes place on Main Street and features traditional costumes, German food, Oompah and polka music, Bavarian dancers, children's activities, a keg-tapping ceremony, 5k run and, lots of Paulaner Bier. There are more than two dozen food vendors, lots of dancing and a weekend of fun.
More info and tickets: Admission is free. More information on Breckenridge Oktoberfest.

DENVER BEERATHON
When: Saturday, September 14, starting at noon
Where: Multiple locations
What: The Denver Beerathon takes you on a carefully planned route through 26 bars to experience 26 craft beers. Among the participating venues are Central Bistro & Bar, Euclid Hall, Ignite, The Matchbox, and the Uber Sausage (LoHi).
More info and tickets: Tickets are $55 per person or $70 for VIP, which include early check-in and a VIP-only party at Fado Irish Pub with prizes and giveaways. Get tickets and more information at Denver Beerathon.

DENVER CAFFEINE CRAWL
When: September 14
Where: The event will begin at Corvus Coffee Roasters new space.
What: Specialty coffee and tea shops across the metro area will be welcoming caffeinated Crawlers with unique presentations and free sample beverages. Participating shops include: Aviano Coffee, Black Eye Coffee, and Metropolis Coffee. Tickets cost $30.
More information and tickets: Denver Caffeine Crawl

MOONBEAM HARVEST
When: September 19 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Clayton Early Learning Campus, 3801 Martin Luther King Boulevard.
What: A chefs' gathering and cooking extravaganza to support early childhood education. Fifteen celebrated local chefs, including Daniel Asher of RootDown, Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja, and Paul Reilly of Beast + Bottle will prepare seasonal dishes with herbs and vegetables harvested from Clayton gardens. Wine and signature cocktails will be complement the food. Live music and complimentary valet parking will be available.
More info and tickets: Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online on the Clayton Early Learning website.

LONGMONT OKTOBERFEST
When: September 20-21, Friday 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 12 to 10 p.m.
Where: Roosevelt Park, Longmont
What: Presented by Left Hand Brewing Company, this fall community event will feature three local breweries and fresh fare, live music, and German themed fun and festivities. Among the highlights: a brautwurst eating contest. Also, on Saturday, organizers will attempt to fill and cook the world's longest bratwurst at 55 feet in length.
More info and tickets: No cover charge. Left Hand Brewing has more details.

3RD ANNUAL HARVEST WEEK
When: September 22 through 27
Where: The GrowHaus, 4751 York Street
What: Thirty six of EatDenver's restaurants will host a series of pop-up dinner parties at the Grow Haus. There is something for everyone on the event list that includes the pork-centric Praise the Lard Barn Dance Brunch, the Platte River Luau and Pig Roast, and the Feast of the Hunters and Gatherers. Highlight: Tuesday will be all veggie night, a first for the week-long festival.
More info and tickets: EatDenver Harvest Week

A TASTE OF ICELAND
When: September 26 through 29
Where: Coohills Restaurant
What: The four-day event celebrates the vibrant culture of Iceland, a country that has become a hotbed for emerging music and innovative cuisine. Highlights include the Thursday night dinner featuring guest Icelandic chef Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson who will be collaborating with chef Tom Coohill to offer a $65 pre-fixe Nordic menu.
More info and tickets: A Taste of Iceland

TASTE OF THE NATION
When: Sunday, September 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 West Colfax Avenue
What: The charity tasting event features 40 Bites for 40 Bucks from Colorado's great restaurants, chefs, cocktail artists, local wineries, and microbreweries. Among the participants are TAG, Central Bistro & Bar, Tamayo, and Corner House. Guests will enjoy a demo by chef Mark DeNittis, the announcement of the Noel Cunningham award by chef Matt Selby, a champagne toast and an exclusive raffle.
More info and tickets: Tickets are $40 per person. VIP tickets are available for $75 per person, which offers an intimate gathering of only 100 people for the first hour from 5 to 6 p.m. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit Share Our Strength.

EVENING OF DECADENT DELIGHTS
When: September 30 starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E. 66th Avenue
What: Some of Denver's finest chefs, including Troy Guard, Tyler Wiard, Michael Bortz, Alex Seidel, Brian Laird, Sean Yontz, and Lance Barto will prepare a decadent meal paired with wines. There will also be a cocktail bar and live music.
More info and tickets: Tickets are $125 per individual and sponsorship packages are also available. Go to Blacktie Colorado for more information.

SOUS VIDE COOKING TRAINING
When: 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.

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.

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