If you haven't heard, beer-pairing dinners are on the rise. You can sign up for these events at several restaurants around town–--or simply create your own at home. We opted for the latter, and drew inspiration from two new brews from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins. Mountain Standard Reserve, released just days after we set back the clocks, is a dark, hoppy beer with slight malted sweetness. Pair it with a mixed antipasto platter consisting of sliced meats, salty cheeses, tart apple slices, and homemade candied almonds. (The crunchy almonds, made with Mountain Standard, are especially delicious and easy to make.) Then, follow the appetizer with a main-course linguine, tossed with juicy, beer-steamed mussels and peppery arugula. For dessert, serve up a slice of dark chocolate cake with a glass of Odell Bourbon Barrel Stout. The rich, creamy notes of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla are nicely offset by the oakiness of bourbon-barrel aging. 800 E. Lincoln Ave., Fort Collins, 970-498-9070