This is a week of gourmet sit-down dinners and massive food tastings. Whether you like digging into what one chef has to offer or prefer sampling many bites from different places, there’s an event for you. So put on your loose jeans or sweatpants — we won’t judge — and get ready to chow down on just about every food and beverage Denver has to offer.

Monday, June 12

Black Project Beer Dinner

Black Project

Photo by Caitlin Plante.

When: Monday, June 12, 6 – 9 p.m.

Where: Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales — 1290 S. Broadway, Denver

Cost: $75

The Lowdown: At this four-course dinner, A Notte’s chef Jeffrey Deakyne will be serving dishes such as handmade tagliatelle and malted gelato. He has expertly paired each course with one of Black Project’s own unique brews.

Tuesday, June 13

Beer Dinner: New Belgium Brewing

New Belgium

Photo Courtesy of New Belgium Facebook

When: Tuesday, June 13, 7 – 11 p.m.

Where: The Walnut Room — 3131 Walnut St., Denver

Cost: $20 — tickets here

The Lowdown: This popular pizzeria has teamed up with New Belgium Brewing. company to provide a meal and beer lesson all in one event. On top of four beers and dishes, this dinner will feature an informative beer presentation from New Belgium Brewing beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Perfect Pairings with Curio & Culture

Photo by Lucy Beaugard.

When: Tuesday, June 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Curio Bar — 2669 Larimer St., Denver

Cost: $20

The Lowdown: Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, Curio Bar and Culture Meat come together to expertly pair different liquors, cocktails, beers and wines with a variety of meats and cheese. For only $20, you will get three of these booze and meat/cheese pairs.

Wednesday, June 14

Acres at Warren Tech Patio Dinner

Dinner is served inside a green house at ACRES Warren Tech. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

When: Wednesday, June 14, 5 – 8 p.m.

Where: Bistro Vendome — 1420 Larimer St., Denver

Cost: $45 — reserve by calling 303-825-3232

The Lowdown: Chef Adam Branz has created four seasonal dishes using fresh produce from ACRES Farm. The menu will highlight the French cuisine of Bistro Vendome and Spanish foods he plans to serve at his new restaurant Ultreia, opening later this summer. Wine pairings are available for an additional charge.

Sampling for Hope

Photo courtesy of SafeHouse Denver, Inc.

When: Wednesday, June 14, 6 – 9 p.m.

Where: Westin Denver Downtown — 1672 Lawrence St., Denver

Cost: $65 — tickets here

The Lowdown: SafeHouse’s annual tasting event features good food for a good cause. Snack on samples from a number of Denver eateries including Illegal Pete’s, Stargazer Fine Chocolates and Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery. Proceeds will benefit SafeHouse Denver.

One Night In Oaxaca

Mezcal cocktail at Palenque. Photo by Danielle Webster.

When: Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 – 11 p.m.

Where: Adelitas Cocina y Cantina — 1294 S. Broadway, Denver

Cost: $75 — reserve by calling 303-778-1294

The Lowdown: Join Chef Silvia and Asis Cortes for a five-course dinner highlighting traditional Oaxacan cuisine and drinks. Cortes’s family has been making Mezcal — distilled alcohol made with Mexican agave — for six generations. Hosted by Palenque Mezcaleria, enjoy a welcome cocktail and a different mezcal creation with each Oaxacan dish.

Thursday, June 15

National Lobster Day at Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood

Blue Island Oyster Bar Food

Photo by Danielle Webster

When: Thursday, June 15

Where: Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood — 2625 E. 2nd Ave., Denver

Cost: Free Admission

The Lowdown: Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood wants to ensure everyone in Denver can celebrate National Lobster Day — even if they can’t make it to the coast. For only $15, you can get a classic lobster roll with lemon mayo. The special lasts all day or until it runs out of supplies.

Do at the Zoo

Photo courtesy of The Denver Zoo

When: Thursday, June 15, 7 – 10 p.m.

Where: Denver Zoo — 2300 Steele St., Denver

Cost: $175 — tickets here

The Lowdown: This night at the zoo isn’t for kids. Anyone over 21 can attend this event to enjoy tasty bites from 55 Denver restaurants and breweries, unlimited drinks and live entertainment. Proceeds will help fund science education, conservation of wild animals and places and animal care.

Friday, June 16

Denver Greek Festival

Photo courtesy of the Denver Greek Festival

When: Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, 11 – 12 a.m. and Sunday, June 18, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Where: Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral — 4510 E. Alameda Ave., Denver

Cost: $5

The Lowdown: This family-friendly event celebrates Greek culture in all forms. People of all ages will love snacking on traditional Greek foods like pistachio and baklava. Fair rides and games will keep children entertained, while adults can shop and watch Greek performers sing and dance.

Colorado BBQ Challenge

Photo courtesy of Colorado BBQ Challenge

When: Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: 300 Main St., Frisco

Cost: Free Admission

The Lowdown: At the Colorado BBQ Challenge, sample a wide variety of barbecue creations from over 70 vendors all vying for the title of Grand Champion. Simply purchase hogbucks at the event — $1 per hogbuck — and use them to purchase the best barbecue the state has to offer. The festival will also feature live music, food demos, the Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey Tour and the Bacon Burner 6k.

Saturday, June 17

Brewers Brunch Series with The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar

Photo courtesy of The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar

When: Saturday, June 17, 12 – 2 p.m.

Where: The Corner Office Restaurant + Martini Bar — 1401 Curtis St., Denver

Cost: $45 — tickets here

The Lowdown: Executive Chef Rich Byers is combining Denver’s two favorite things — beers and brunch. He will pair each dish of his four-course menu with a different beer. At this brunch, you can sip on Denver Beer Co.’s Pretzel Assassin Amber Lager while sampling an Iberico chorizo-potato empanada or wash down your raspberry shortcake with a swig of Princess Yum Yum Raspberry Kolsch.

Lone Tree Summer Carnival

Photo courtesy of Lone Tree Brewing Company

When: Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Where: Lone Tree Brewing Company — 8200 Park Meadows Dr., Ste 8222, Lone Tree

Cost: Free Admission

The Lowdown: This carnival will be your one and only chance to try Lone Tree’s strawberry-infused blonde ale. The brewery will also be debuting its Cucumber Wheat beer in cans, while Elevation 5280 food truck will be serving up elevated street food. Other fun activities include carnival games (with beer as prizes), live music and face painting.

Bow, Breathe, Be Mary

Photo by Kenneth Coles

When: Saturday, June 17, 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Where: Bear Creek Distillery — 1879 S. Acoma St., Denver

Cost: $15 — tickets here

The Lowdown: Earn your brunch by participating in a 60-minute all-level yoga class taught by Jen Hicks. After toning your mind and body, indulge in a drink of choice provided by Bear Creek as well as a Bloody Mary and homemade pickles from the Real Dill. When the event ends at 2 p.m., Bear Creek’s taproom will open, and Sunshine Bowls food truck will begin serving smoothies.  

West Side Brewery Bus Tour

Photo by Nicole Duda

When: Saturday, June 17, 2 – 10 p.m.

Where: Little Machine, Joyride, Strange and Seedstock Breweries

Cost: $5

The Lowdown: To take this tour, just stop by any one of the breweries on the route. Shuttle busses will leave each brewery every 20 minutes. Purchase a $5 ticket at your first stop, and if you complete the entire tour, you get a coupon for a free beer at the brewery of your choice.

Sunday, June 18

Surf & Turf & Surf

Photo courtesy of Station 26 Brewing Co.

When: Sunday, June 18, 3 – 6 p.m.

Where: Station 26 Brewing Company — 7045 E. 38th Ave., Denver

Cost: TBA — reserve spot here

The Lowdown: This Father’s Day, treat your dad — or just yourself — to a casual surf and turf dinner accompanied by beer from Station 26 and live music performed by The Royal Aces Surf Band. The fun begins at 3 p.m., and dinner will be served at 5 p.m.


Mark Your Calendars

TAG ‘Guest Chef Series’ featuring Coquette

When: Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m.

Where: TAG Restaurant — 1441 Larimer St., Denver

Cost: $78 (plus $30 with wine pairing) — reserve by calling 303-996-9985

 

Keystone’s Bacon and Bourbon Festival  

When: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25

Where: Keystone Resort — 140 Ida Belle Dr., Keystone

Cost: $30-$50 — tickets here