Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Soup for the Soul, booze dinners and more

Denver Restaurant Week kicks off on Saturday, which is also when the 2011 Beerdrinker of the Year will be crowned -- but in the meantime, there are plenty of culinary events to fill your belly. Here's what's on the menu:

Monday, February 21:

City, O' City, 206 East 13th Avenue, hosts a free Samuel Smith Brewing Co. Tasting Party starting at 7 p.m. Call 303-831-6443 or visit www.watercoursefoods.com.

The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place, hosts Soup for the Soul benefiting Porter and St. Anthony Hospices and featuring soups and appetizers (and recipes) from more than a dozen top Denver restaurants. It runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and costs $75 to $95; visit www.soupforthesouldenver.org.

EVOO Marketplace, 1338 15th Street, hosts a Guided Olive Oil Tasting: Discover olive oils from around the globe, new ways to replace butter and margarine and more. It runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and costs $30; visit www.viamediterranea.com.

Frasca Food & Wine, 1738 Pearl Street in Boulder, presents the Monday Night Wine Dinner with wines by Eric Flanagan. Admission is $45 and up; call 303-442-6966 or visit www.frascafoodandwine.com.