Adopt sled dogs, sample great wine and beer and test out your jokes

By the Thirst Team

Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour is coming to Denver for the first time. The evening offers samples of more than 230 exceptional wines from around the world, along with conversations with winemakers and food selections. Each wine is rated at least 90 points by Wine Spectator magazine.

The tour stops at the Sheraton Denver Downtown this Saturday. General admission tickets are available online for $275. VIP tickets cost $375 and include an extra hour of tasting.

Music and comedy in Durango

It’s a busy week at EsoTerra Ciderworks in Durango. An open mic comedy night starts at 8 p.m. Thursday, with sign-ups from 7 to 7:45 p.m. It is a free 18-plus event.

On Friday night, Half a Shipwreck plays girl-powered indie Americana. The acoustic duo is known for high-energy vocals and for playing multiple instruments simultaneously.

Great sled dog adoption

Next Wednesday, New Terrain Brewing in Golden hosts an adoption event for retired sled dogs. Good Times Adventures in Breckenridge will retire some 8- to 10-year-old Siberian Husky sled dogs. The dogs may no longer work for their chow, but they will still thrive best with an active outdoor lifestyle.

The brewery also hosts the free Rocky Mountain Tree Festival on Saturday, with live music by Easy Tiger, Denim Sweater, Extra Gold and Hunker Down. Bill & Jillian Nershi will also be on hand as “artists at large,” playing tunes all day. The event is a fundraiser that helps plant trees in Colorado areas devastated by floods and fires.

Hot springs beer festival

The Pints, Pools and Paddles festival is coming to The Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa Springs. Attendees can sample fine Colorado and New Mexico brews while soaking in hot springs pools. The weekend also includes several other events, starting with two private beer, chocolate and cheese tastings with Riff Raff Brewing on Friday evening.

Saturday starts with the Pagosa Paddle whitewater races from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the beer festival runs from 3 to 6 p.m.

Destination of the week: River domes

For those who don’t stay at the Springs Resort, the new Pagosa River Domes offer another riverfront option in Pagosa Springs. These geodesic domes are an eco-friendly glamping option with fireplaces, full kitchens, private patios and more.

Save the date: Denver Arts Festival

The Denver Arts Festival returns to the Conservatory Green in Denver’s Central Park on Memorial Day weekend, and features top artists from around Colorado and the nation. The festival opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, and includes live music, a kids’ art zone and a libations garden with drinks from Odell Brewing, Grüvi and The Family Jones.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. And enjoy your Colorado craft libations responsibly.