Best bets this weekend include the Snowdown beer release party Friday night at Ska Brewing Co. and the Two Hearts Wedding Expo on Saturday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
At the release party, Ska will tap its limited-edition beer that commemorates this year’s Snowdown theme, “Get Your Comic On!”
The beer is an American amber lager, or “excelsior-style lager,” in honor of Stan Lee, the comic book writer, editor and publisher who came up with the characters of Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four.
The can features a tribute to Lee, comic book elements and Ska’s True Blonde girl fighting. The beer in some ways is a winter tribute to Ska’s famous Mexican Logger.
“It’s light brown, amber in color, amber to light-light brown, very medium bodied and very well balanced and drinkable,” said Dave Thibodeau, co-founder and president of Ska Brewing Co.
The beer is easy drinking at 5.3 percent alcohol by volume. It is not overly bitter, but also not overly malty, but more malty than most Ska beers, he said.
“It’s a fun beer,” he said Thursday. “We just got it canned. We all just tasted it this afternoon and are very excited about how it came out.”
Ska has been making the official Snowdown beer for 24 years.
The release party is one of several precursor celebrations to the official start of Snowdown, which will be Jan. 30 through Feb. 3.
This year’s Snowdown will feature 162 events – the most ever – of which 45 are “family friendly,” said Dave Imming, spokesman for Snowdown.
People often dress up for the annual release party, he said.
The official release party begins at 5 p.m. at Ska’s World Headquarters, 225 Girard St. in Bodo Industrial Park.
The Two Hearts Wedding Expo will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
The event will feature fashion; accessories and jewelry; beauty and health; venues; photography; invitations; and more.
For more information, visit bit.ly/2Qp183r.
Disney Trivia Night, 6 p.m., Eno Wine Bar and Cocktail Lounge, 723 East Second Ave.
Smiley Café Open Mic, 5:30 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 East Third Ave.
Two Hearts Wedding Expo,
noon-3 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Kirk James, 6 p.m., Dalton Ranch Golf Club, 589 County Road 252.
Ben Gibson Band, 8 p.m., 11th Street Station, 1101 Main Ave.
Free Books, noon, Downtown Security Storage, 923 Narrow Gauge Ave.
Traditional Irish Music Jam Session, 12:30 p.m., The Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave.
