Comfort food season is soon upon us, and this week features a glimpse of fall flavors in the form of bourbon, barbecue, chili, and, to satisfy the sweet tooth, Halloween candy. Things kick off with a five-day cocktail festival that showcases some of the city’s best cocktail bars around town. Save room by Saturday for some four-alarm chili prepared by firefighters.

Monday, October 14

Halloween Candy Beer Flight at Brewed
Trick-or-treat in adult fashion with a Halloween-themed beer pairing. Try four craft beers expertly paired with four popular Halloween candies, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Skittles, Snickers, and Kit-Kat. The spooktacular pairing is $10.50 and available now through November 1.

Fort Worth Cocktail Week
Now in its fourth year, the five-day spirits celebration casts a spotlight on the city’s best mixologists. The party starts Monday at Lola’s Trailer Park with a “Texas Spirits Tasting Party.” Last year’s brands included Devils River Whiskey, Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., Seersucker Southern Style Gin, and Deep Ellum Vodka (6 pm, $25). “Bourbon Bash” is Tuesday at Thompson’s, featuring specialty bourbons and New Orleans-style apps (6 pm, $20 in advance or $25 day of event). Taste the tropics on Wednesday with a “Tiki Party” at The Usual. There’ll be live music, Caribbean bites, and trendy tiki drinks in a Polynesian paradise (6 pm, $20 in advance or $25 day of event). Thursday brings a “Tequila & Mezcal Margarita Party” at The FW Blackhouse, with rare, exotic agaves, sotols, and tequilas (6 pm, $20 in advance or $25 day of event). The spirited event ends Friday with “Gin vs. Vodka” at the Post, featuring a martini battle of clear liquors in which the public gets to vote (6 pm, $20 in advance or $25 day of event).

Wednesday, October 16

FnG Eats Bourbon Dinner featuring Old Forester
The communal fall dinner will start with a cocktail made with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, crème de cassis, and orange bitters. Cocktails to follow include a version of the Bee’s Knees, and Old Fashioned, and coffee-infused bourbon served neat. The five-course menu features seared tenderloin medallions in a bourbon cherry sauce as the main entrée. Stay for bourbon-blueberry and dark chocolate bread pudding for dessert. The $75 per-person dinner (plus tax and gratuity) begins at 7 pm.

Saturday, October 19

4th Annual Fort Worth Firefighters Chili Cook Off
Red, green, and non-traditional are the three chili categories for the fourth annual cook-off, which has grown substantially each year. Prepared by dozens of Fort Worth’s first responders (who are very competitive, by the way), the chili will be available by the sample for a dollar or by the bowl for $5. Beer will also be for sale. The event runs from 10 am to 2 pm in General Worth Square downtown, and admission is free.

Fort Worth BBQ & Brews Tour
The guided bus tour will highlight Cowtown’s growing craft barbecue and brewery scene. Stops are secret, but the tour begins and ends at South Fort Worth’s Panther City BBQ. The $65 ticket price includes barbecue samples and three craft beverages. The tour begins at 1 pm and ends at 4 pm.