It’s 2023… isn’t it about time you joined a drinking club?

There’s no shortage of pleasant ways to imbibe across the Front Range. From festivals, dive bars, and taprooms to hiking, camping, glamping, rafting, bird watching, ax throwing, game–playing, ice fishing, post-hot air ballooning, and sports watching (or despairing). We could go on, but the point is that you can pair a drink with almost any setting. But one of the most pleasant might be to find a group of like-minded people eager to not only imbibe their favorite beverage, but to mix it with just the right amount of learning.

We’ve got groups for the social and curious who might just make a few new friends along the way. If this sounds like something you’d like to try, by all means, do it.. We have, and we don’t regret it.

Courtesy of Visit Longmont

Roosevelt and Küper Clubs
Küper Wine Bar, Longmont

Longmont’s newest wine bar is located just off Main Street by Roosevelt Park, and they’ve got two tasting clubs for customers to choose from. The first is their Roosevelt Club. With limited memberships available, members are allowed to pick a minimum of two bottles for purchase from a selection of six options. They can base their selection off of a free, private tasting, and two bottles are generally $50 to $80 a month. The second option is the Küper Club, where, for $15 monthly, members receive a selected tasting flight. Members are also invited to special group events. 2023’s series will lead off with a sommelier-led riesling discussion in January.

Courtesy of Spirit Hound Distillers

Science and Spirits, Cocktail Classes
Spirit Hound Distillers, Lyons

In addition to making the whiskey that won the 2022 London Spirits Competition, Spirit Hound knows how to host amazing events. One of them is aptly named Science and Spirits, generally held the first Thursday of the month. These presentations fascinate attendees with talks ranging from animal biology (There was a talk on pikas in December.) to geology, astronomy, and more, all provided by local scientists or scientifically focused organizations. On top of this, they also have monthly cocktail classes that cover ingredients, cocktail histories, recipes, bar tools, and mixers. There is a per person fee for cocktail classes.

Courtesy of Downtown Longmont

Distilling Dames
Dryland Distillers, Longmont

Some women may be interested in whiskey but may find that learning about about and tasting the spirit is more comfortable in a female-only environment. Established several years ago, this group allows women to taste, talk, and learn about spirits hands-on. Most recently, the group gathered last November to help select the community entry for its 5th Annual ‘Nog Off egg nog competition. Future dates of the group haven’t been set as of press time, but members can check the distillery’s online calendar or sign up for email notifications.

Courtesy of Left Hand Brewing Co.

Ales4FemAles
Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont

Ales4FemAles has been a gathering group for women interested in beer for nearly a decade and a half. It was founded by Cinzia Wallace, the general manager and wife of Left Hand Brewing co-founder Eric Wallace, during a time when it was considered surprising for a woman to fully appreciate craft beer. Since then, it has offered twice monthly seminars on tasting, judging, and brewing craft beer. The seminars also provide The seminars also provide beer paired with a light meal. Members have created their own their own brews, met for brew days, volunteered at brewery events, become friends, and at least one has gone on to found their own brewery in the area.

Courtesy of Farow

Monthly Cocktail Classes
Farow Restaurant, Niwot

At just over a year old, Farow is one of the area’s newer fine dining restaurants, but it compliments its elevated food program with a sought after happy hour and a top notch bar experience. Each month, their bar manager offers craft cocktail classes, each one focused on a different cocktail or drinking experience. December’s class was focused on champagne, which was appropriate for just before the New Year. Other classes have focused on Scotch, spritzers, and mezcal. Classes are priced per person, per class.