If you were a procrastinator and didn’t nab tickets to The Great American Beer Festival [2] early (they were gone within a week [3] of going on sale), you can get an early start this week at the third annual Denver Beer Fest [4] (September 23-October 1). With more than 150 events [3] on tap for your choosing over the course of nine days—including brewery tours, rare tastings, beer games, pub crawls, and beer-paired dinners—we promise there will be no time to mourn if you were among those shut out of GABF. Below, our picks for some of the best events:

Breakfast and Beer at the Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast [5], all week Why you should go: It is an excuse to sneak in a beer before 7:30 a.m. 

Zip and Sip [6], all week Why you should go: Soar through the air via a zip-line, 435-feet above the ground, and then sip on brews. Our stomachs agree; that’s the right order.  

Beers, Brats, and Burlesque-“Tastings and Tassles” [7], Tuesday Why you should go: Drinking, dinner, and dancing equals a winning combo in our books.

Meet the Brewer Happy Hour featuring Oskar Blues [8], Tuesday Why you should go: Pay homage to the makers.

Denver Brews Cruise [9], Wednesday through Saturday Why you should go: Take a peek at how your favorite local suds are made.

Colorado Fresh Hops Beers Celebration [10], Wednesday through Saturday Why you should go: Be the first of your friends to sample one (or all) of seven new fresh hops beers.

Beer-Paired Dinner with Top Chef Winner Stephanie Izard [11], Thursday Why you should go: Treat your taste buds to a beer cocktail [12], a bit of celebrity chef Izard’s own special brew (rumored to be a Honey Porter [13]), and a sit-down dinner. 

Left Hand Arm Wrestling Tournament [14], Friday Why you should go: Test your strength (with a boost of liquid courage) at Freshcraft in LoDo.

11 a.m. Beer and Burritos with Upslope Brewing [15], Saturday Why you should go: A big, meaty burrito is the perfect hangover fix.

Photo courtesy of VISIT DENVER