Maine Shack Pop-Up | October 4

You might have read the news this summer: A few New Englanders are partnering with Denver’s Culinary Creative restaurant group to bring northeastern coastal cuisine to LoHi with Maine Shack, which will open in 2019. We’re talking over-stuffed lobster rolls, people, and they’re the real deal. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until next year to catch a preview of the menu. Maine Shack is hosting a pop-up shop at Tap & Burger Sloan’s Lake, where attendees can enjoy three different kinds of lobster rolls, fried clams, fried scallops, lobster mac ‘n cheese, and—of course—clam chowder. 4 p.m. until food is sold out; Tap & Burger Sloan’s Lake, 1565 Raleigh St., #100

Cocina Träkál | October 4

There was plenty of hubbub last year as the distillers behind trendy Chilean spirit Träkál chose Colorado as one of their few distribution destinations. The tipple is already on menus all over the city, and Coloradans are also among the lucky first to enjoy Träkál-inspired dinners and events, such as this week’s rooftop supper at Linger. Beverage director Ky Belk has a slew of new Träkál cocktails ready for sipping, and there will also be snacks such as short rib empanadas, roasted Colorado lamb with chimichurri, and goat cheese alfajores. Tickets are $90; 7-9:30 p.m., Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave.

Fifteenth Annual Fresh Hop Festival | October 6

Fresh hop season might as well be a holiday as far as local brewers are concerned. You can taste a slew of these vibrant, aromatic brews—all made with freshly harvested (rather than dried) hops—at Falling Rock Tap House’s IPA-centric event. Dozens of Colorado breweries will be pouring their creations, including Boulder Beer Company, Call to Arms Brewing Company, Comrade Brewing, New Belgium Brewing Company, and Odell Brewing Company. Beers will be sold by the glass, and 50 cents from each pour will benefit the Colorado Brewers Guild. Free; noon-2 p.m., Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St.

Upslope Brewing Company’s 4th Annual Backcountry Taproom | October 6

You’ll have to work for your suds at this outdoor Upslope event, which features a five-mile (round-trip) hike through Grand Park. Once you reach the summit, you’ll receive four 12-ounce brews—including its new winter seasonal, the Spruce Tip IPA—to sip on as you take in beautiful Rocky Mountain vistas. The Backcountry Taproom benefits Leave No Trace (LNT), a Boulder-based non-profit promoting conservation and good ethics in the outdoors. Last year, Upslope raised $15,600 for LNT, and this year they hope to surpass that mark. Tickets are $15; 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Grand Park, 46 Market St., Fraser

Pumpkin Harvest Festival | October 6–7

Four Mile Historic Park is throwing it way back to the 19th century for its 2018 Pumpkin Festival—fitting for a place that boasts Denver’s oldest standing structure, the Four Mile House Museum. Beyond a pumpkin patch and scarecrows, expect a county-fair vibe at the Harvest Fest, with horse-drawn wagons and carnival games, brews from Wheat Ridge’s Peak Beverage, and eats from half-a-dozen different food trucks. Admission is free, but certain foods and activities cost extra; 10 a.m-4 p.m., Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St.

Flatirons Film Food Festival | October 11–14

Foodies and movie buffs alike will find common ground at this food-centric film festival in Boulder. The fest encompasses myriad screenings and special events over the course of four days. Highlights include a screening of Babette’s Feast as a tribute to the late Anthony Bourdain, a prix fixe brunch at River and Woods to discuss the film Eating Animals, and a Cuban food reception preceding the documentary Cuban Food Stories. Ticket prices, times, and locations vary

The Savory Cup Chef Competition & Brunch | October 6 and 18

You won’t want to miss Savory Cuisines Catering’s first-ever chef competition for charity. On October 6, four toques—including Becca Henry of ChoLon and Daniel Asher of River and Woods—will go head to head cooking appetizers and entrées using secret ingredients. Attendees can whet their appetites with a brunch buffet as they watch the action. The two winning chefs will then return for the grand finale on October 18—and the winner will take home $2,000. All ticket proceeds benefit Blue Sky Bridge, a non-profit that supports children who have been victims of abuse. Tickets are $50; October 16, 6-9 p.m., Savory Cuisines Catering, 5741 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder

Somm 3 Private Screening | October 12

If you like wine, you’ll want to be at the Vauxhall ballroom inside RiNo’s Ramble Hotel on October 12. Not only will there be a private showing of  Somm 3, a riveting documentary about wine, but after the screening, Bobby Stuckey (one of the world’s 273 master sommeliers and co-owner of Frasca Food and Wine, Pizzeria Locale, and Tavernetta) will lead guests through an informative blind-tasting of six hand-picked wines. Tickets are $125 per person; 6:30-9:30 p.m., Vauxhall at the Ramble Hotel, 1280 25th St.

Pepperbelly Barbecue Pop-Up at Post Oak Hall | October 13–28

Get a taste of Texas at this Wheat Ridge pop-up. Starting on the morning of Saturday, October 13, Pepperbelly Barbecue will sell egg-and-smoked-meat-stuffed breakfast tacos and Post Oak Hall owner Ellen Daehnick will provide her delicious kolaches. After 11 a.m., the menu will switch over to feature Pepperbelly’s incredible wood-smoked Texas-style barbecue—don’t miss the brisket—until the food is gone. And if you can’t make this pop up, never fear: Pepperbelly’s Post Oak Hall residence will continue every Saturday and Sunday throughout October. 8 a.m until food is sold out; 6195 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge

Buen Provecho | October 13

Over the past ten years, Re:Vision, a Denver-based non-profit, has planted almost 2,000 vegetable gardens for low-income families in Southwest Denver, from which more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce have been harvested. This month, Re:Vision is raising money for the Westwood community with its inaugural Buen Provecho dinner event, which will draw some of the city’s top Latino chefs (Dana Rodriguez, Jose Avila, and Matayas Urban, among others) for a night of eating, drinking, and storytelling. The event will feature a farm tour, cocktail hour with sips from Bear Creek Distillery, and a seated multi-course dinner. Tickets are $100 per person and $175 per couple; 5:30-9:15 p.m., Rise Westwood, 3738 Morrison Rd.

5280 Dines | October 21

Enjoy delicious bites from 15 of our 25 Best Restaurants (the largest showing ever) alongside paired cocktails at this very special annual culinary celebration. You can also expect paired cocktails, photo booths, and much more. Tickets are $75; 6-9 p.m., The Hangar at Stanley, 2501 Dallas St., #135, Aurora

Boulder’s Real School Food Challenge | October 25

A little competition never hurt anybody, and that’s especially true of Boulder’s Real School Food Challenge. The Chef Ann Foundation is inviting six local chefs to make the best meal they can using only $1.25 per portion—the amount of money that the foundation says is allocated to the average American student for each lunch. Attendees will enjoy wine and beer selections as they sample each meal and deliberate on the best school chef. All proceeds benefits the Chef Ann Foundation. Suggested donations start at $100; 5:30-8 p.m., 1801 13th St., Boulder

ChefsFeed Indie Week at Departure Denver Restaurant & Lounge | October 25, 26, and 28

ChefsFeed Indie Week is bringing 18 chefs from around the country—including Denver’s own Lon Symensma and Matt Vawter of Mercantile Dining & Provision—for an unforgettable dinner series at Departure in Cherry Creek. Diners will get up close and personal with the chefs as they prepare lavish, multi-course meals on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday night. Tickets range from $165 per person to $195 per person and do not include an 18 percent service charge; times vary, Departure Denver, 249 Columbine St.