With Thanksgiving fast approaching its often a good idea to prepare with some hearty meals to prepare your stomach for what’s to come. Fortunately enough there are plenty of ways to do so this week. From the Denver Chef & Brew to a popcorn and beer pairing at Maxline brewing there are some unusual and exciting ways to expand your stomach before the big feast. Check out the list below for the full list of the most exciting events coming this week in our unseasonably warm city.

Monday, November 14

Homegrown Tap and Dough Run Club

homegrown

Photo Courtesy of Homegrown Tap and Brew Facebook

When: Monday, November 14, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Where: Homegrown Tap & Dough – Wash Park, 1001 S Gaylord Street, Denver

Cost: Free!

The Lowdown: The club will run around Wash Park from the Homegrown Tap and Dough restaurant. The run will be a quick 5k led by Boulder Running Company. Runners will receive first beer on the restaurant and may use the ticket to receive 15% off for any purchase at Boulder Running Company.

Week 2: Frasca Food and Wine’s Monday Night Dinner Series

Photo Courtesy of Frasca

Photo Courtesy of Frasca

When: Monday, November 14

Where: Frasca Food and Wine, 1738 Pearl St, Boulder

Cost: $50 per person for four courses (not including the optional wine pairings, which range from $40 – $50 per person)

The Lowdown: Week two of this excellent series will bring in Jamey Whetstone to pour and discuss a flight of his wines. Whetstone Wine Cellars is a small family-owned luxury wine brand from the heart of the Napa Valley. The Frasca team will pour his Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

Tuesday, November 15

Thanksgiving Side Dish Demo with Macheesmo

Photo Courtesy of Macheesmo Facebook

Photo Courtesy of Macheesmo Facebook

When: Tuesday, November 15, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Sprouts Farmers Market, 3725 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge

Cost: Free!

The Lowdown: Nick Evans from recipe blog Macheesmo will be showing the audience how to make several delicious sides with no oven required. Dishes include green beans with crispy butter bread crumbs, caramelized pear and fennel salad and creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Samples will be provided and every guest will receive a free Sprouts reusable shopping bag.

Wednesday, November 16

Rebel Popcorn & Beer Pairing

Photo Courtesy of Maxline Brewing

Photo Courtesy of Maxline Brewing

When: Wednesday, November 16, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Maxline Brewing, 2724 McClelland Drive, #190, Fort Collins

Cost: $15

The Lowdown: Rebel Popcorn and Maxline brewing are bringing the novel concept of a gourmet popcorn and beer pairing to their Fort Collins location. Tickets include three four ounce beers and three popcorn samples. It’s something of a trek out of the city but if you are looking to do something a little peculiar and exciting this is the spot.

Thursday, November 17

Chef & Brew 2016

Photo Courtesy of Chef & Brew Facebook

Photo Courtesy of Chef & Brew Facebook

When: Thursday, November 17 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th Street, Denver

Cost: $49 to $69

The Lowdown: Chef & Brew is Denver’s premier beer and food pairing competition and festival, bringing together Colorado’s top chefs and local craft brewmasters. Over twenty craft brewers — including Strange Craft, Prost and Renegade —  and Denver’s top chefs will team up to create the ultimate beer and food pairing. Chef’s from Mizuna, Euclid Hall, Cho 77 and many others will all be represented.

Friday, November 18

Last Day to Order Thanksgiving Pies from Sugarmill

sugarmill

Photo Courtesy of Sugarmill Facebook

When: Friday, November 18

Where: 2461 Larimer Street, Denver

Cost: $23 – $28

The Lowdown: Troy Guard’s quality dessert location will be serving up pies for Thanksgiving. Classics like apple, pecan and pumpkin will be available — as well as their signature, a bourbon sweet-potato pie topped with torched marshmallow and chocolate chips. If you feel like outsourcing dessert duties this is without a doubt one of Denver’s strongest choices.

Anthony Bourdain: The Hunger Tour

When: Friday, November 18, Doors at 7 p.m.

Where: Bellco Theatre, Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver

Cost: $60 to $330

The Lowdown: Bourdain’s 2016 Hunger Tour stops in Denver for a night of the world’s most famous gourmand’s usual antics. He will discuss his new book, Appetites, while regaling the audience with his signature brand of crass and entertaining banter.

National Yeti Day

Image courtesy of Great Divide Brewing Company.

Image courtesy of Great Divide Brewing Company.

When: Friday, November 18

Where: Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th Street, Denver

Cost: Free!

The Lowdown: In order to raise awareness about the noble creature Great Divide will be hosting a Yeti themed party at their RiNo location. The event will feature a wide variety of Yetis, including Velvet Yeti, special Yeti Firkins, and the rest of the seasonal clan. There will be food pairings as well as snacks made with Yeti Imperial Stout.

Saturday, November 19

Shop the Dock – Holiday Shopping and Food Drive

Photo Courtesy of Dry Dock Facebook

Photo Courtesy of Dry Dock Facebook

When: Saturday, November 19

Where: Dry Dock Brewing Company, 15120 East Hampden Avenue, Aurora

Cost: Free!

The Lowdown: Dry Dock Brewing is bringing together over twenty-five local businesses to provide an impromptu flea-market for holiday gift-shopping. Bring two or more non-perishable food items and be entered to win door prizes. Swag bags will also be provided to the first hundred attendees.

Last Day to Order Thanksgiving Meals from Brider

Photo Courtesy of Brider

Photo Courtesy of Brider

When: Saturday, November 19

Where: 1644 Platte Street, Denver

Cost: $50 – $200 depending on the size of the party

The Lowdown: Fast-casual rotisserie concept Brider is dishing up an excellent spread to for pickup on Thanksgiving. Choices include sliced turkey breast and drumsticks, mashed potatoes, mushroom and apple stuffing, macaroni and cheese, green beans with garlic and brussel sprouts with bacon. You can order a meal for two, for or six people and each package includes as many sides as there are guests.

Sunday, November 20

Oyster Bash

Photo Courtesy of Oceanaire Facebook

Photo Courtesy of Oceanaire Facebook

When: Sunday, November 20 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 1400 Arapahoe Street, Denver

Cost: $85

The Lowdown: The Oceanaire will be providing an unlimited sampling of delicious East and West coast oysters. Fresh lobster, shrimp and other seafood will also be on display. A ticket entitles you to all the food and drink you can consume — with New Belgium, Oskar Blues, Stranahan’s amongst others delivering the libations. The Brian Hornbuckle Band will provide the tunes.

Mark Your Calendars…

Thanksgiving Eve Under The Elm

When: Wednesday, November 23

Where: The Way Back, 4132 W 38th Avenue, Denver

Cost: Only the cost of the meal.

 

Thanksgiving and Beatrice & Woodsley

When: Thursday, November 24

Where: Beatrice & Woodsley, 38 South Broadway, Denver

Cost: $42 for a three-course meal

 

Third Annual Prototype Market

When: Saturday, November 26

Where: The Craftsman and Apprentice, 1325 E 22nd Avenue, Denver

Cost: Free!