Tonight, drop by Great Divide's Beer Release Party and celebrate the birth of two new brews: a chocolate, oak-aged yeti and a bold double wit. Though both are inspired by the same principle (pungent spices in traditional beers), the newbies have totally different personalities. The first blends cocoa, vanilla, and cayenne to spice up a rich Russian-style stout. The other uses coriander and curacao to flavor a traditional Belgian white beer.

For those who like to pair pints with snacks, the party will also lay out a spread of cheese and bread, cured meats, and sweet treats from Hi-Rise Bakery. Arrive early and snag a seat on Great Divide's recently opened deck--and tell me if there's a better way to spend Friday evening than sipping aromatic suds while watching the sun dip below Denver's skyline?

Great Divide Brewery, 2201 Arapahoe St., 303-296-9460. 6-8 p.m. $15.