Denver Comic Con has truly brought forth some amazing yearly traditions in addition to the convention itself. One such tradition, one that always manages to signal just how close the convention really is to kicking off, is the annual creation of the official beer for the convention.

Every single year, Denver Comic Con and the Breckenridge Brewery team up to bring us an exciting and delicious beer that is served only before and during the convention and the best part is...the fans get the chance to name it. This year there were 700 entries to name this beer that were narrowed down to five for the fans to vote upon and we can all thank Jonathan Cooper for coming up with the inventive moniker for this year's beer...Hulk's Mash. 

So what kind of treat are we in for when comes to Hulk's Mash? Well, according to the press release it is a..."delightful pale ale made with mango puree and Mosaic hops. It sounds mild-mannered, but don’t be fooled. Mosaic hops produce an aromatic punch of mango, lemon, citrus, and earthy pine scents. Loads of pulverized mangos heroically balance the hoppy aroma and flavor."

But creating the beer is simply not enough, something that delicious needs to be shared by the fans and to add to the tradition of its creation, comes a grand Beer release party which just so happens to be around the corner as well. Yes on May 1st, at 7:30 p.m. at 1Up Colfax, DCC and Breckenridge Brewery will debut this amazing brew in exciting fashion.  For starters the first 200 people that make it to the party get their hands on a limited edition pint glass that features artwork from Trevor Plaza and the fun doesn't end there.  

There will be a final performance by the awesome band Total Ghost, the 90's Cover Band the Gin Doctors and DJ N810 and DJ Carmello will be hand to entertain everyone in attendance as well. But most importantly, it's going to be a blast, simple as that. This is a great opportunity to enjoy another delicious creation from Breckenridge Brewery and have a great time with your friends. I know we will see all of you there, until then fellow Comiconians! 

One thing that I am finding is quickly becoming a new tradition in the Mile High City of Denver, is that film fans are quickly coming out of the woodwork and beginning to celebrate their love of motion pictures in new and exciting ways. It simply isn't enough now to sit on the couch and enjoy one's favorite movies at home, not when there are opportunities to celebrate them in person and at our local theater. 

Enter the Alamo Drafthouse, a place that is truly a mecca for motion pictures and the wonders they create in our mind. Ever since this theater opened a few years ago, film buffs have been treated to one incredible celebration of motion pictures after another and there are two new monthly film series being hosted there that deserve our time, Fantastique and Science Friction.

Hosted by Frank Romero, one of the co founders of Denver Comic Con and Jason Heller, a senior writer for The A.V. Club and a Hugo Award winning editor, these two series celebrate both the fantasy and science fiction genre, with the awesome kinds of twists and turns that would only be acceptable at the Drafthouse. 

After all, film is meant to be an experience and Frank and Jason take that experience to the next level, with trivia and prizes, concerts before some shows and plenty of surprise guests and even special menus served just for the screening.  Take tonight's screening of Highlander for Fantastique. Not only will author Carrie Vaughn be on hand, giving away signed copies of her latest novel, but the kitchen will be serving up the classic Scottish dish...Haggis. It really doesn't get much more immersive than that when it comes to celebrating a film.  

Either way, it's a pair of film series worth checking out. Not only will you be spending time with a pair of hosts that clearly love and adore the wonder of film, but you'll be with friends and fans in a place that celebrates every little detail about the movies we love.  But what matters most, is that if some of these films were before your time, or you simply never had the chance to see them in a theater, the time has come to settle in and let the lights go low as you settle in with your popcorn to enjoy them the way cinema was always meant to be enjoyed...on the big screen.