The Bolder Life: Coming to a City Near You

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re well aware that this weekend is the 30^th annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver. It’s a beer geek’s heaven and a hellish hangover for the fresh batch of newly 21-year-olds that are responsible for well over half of the dropped taster glasses that hit the floor of the Convention Center and the echo of boos that immediately follows. It’s kind of the place to be this weekend.

Unfortunately, tickets sold faster than hot cakes this year, leaving a vast number of GABF lovers seeking other plans for the weekend.

Thankfully—I’m here for you. I got your back. Check out these fun events going on in a city near you for a fraction of the price of admission to Denver’s giant beer festival.

Hangover Brunch at Oskar Blues Liquids and Solids with Maui Brewing
Sunday, October 2^nd | 10:00 am | $30/ticket
You are so bummed that you couldn’t get tickets to the GABF. Don’t worry—Oskar Blues is bringing a little bit of the GABF to you with a Hangover Brunch complete with a guest appearance by the owner of Maui Brewing, Garrett Marrero. Rub elbows with Garrett and enjoy one of Maui Brewing’s popular microbrews that are being featured at OB for the day. Menu items include: 14 hour smoked pork shoulder, house cured bacon, andouille sausage, blueberry maple sausage, old chub bangers, crawfish etouffee, “Kiss My Grits” shrimp grits and “Fat Elvis” French toast stuffed with peanut butter and bananas.

3^rd Annual Niwot Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 1^st | 2:00-9:00 pm | Free Admission
So you had your heart set on attending a beer festival this weekend. You can still get your wish and instead of shelling out a hundred bucks for a ticket, you can get into Niwot’s Oktoberfest for free! The festival, taking place in Cottonwood Park, promises live music, plenty of authentic German food, beers by Left Hand Brewing, Polka dancing, plenty of beer and wine, face painting and a bouncy castle.

Pearl St. Stampede
Friday, September 30^th | 7 pm | 1300 Block of Pearl St.
Check out the Pearl St. Stampede this Friday, and help cheer on the CU Buffs football team as they parade along Pearl St. with the Golden Buffalo Marching Band before their big game on Saturday! Anyone who’s been watching the Buffs play lately knows that they could use a little pick-me-up, so catch them in front of the Boulder County Courthouse and follow the parade, led by Boulder car-collecting legend, Stephen Tebo’s, antique CU fire truck.  (Go Buffs!)

Devil Dash 5K
Saturday, October 8^th | Bohn Park, Lyons | Registration Closes on Thursday, October 6^th

After a weekend filled with a steady flow of good food and beer, you’re going to need a good workout to burn off all of those delicious calories. This devilish 5K isn’t until next weekend, but pre-registration closes on Monday, October 3^rd. Check out this muddy course filled with obstacles themed after the 7 Deadly Sins and finish the race at the Avery Brewing Beer Garden of Eden. Mud, live music, fun workout and rewarding beer. Keep it on the radar. And sign up for the lower rate of $65 by Monday.