WNY Brews

In this week's edition of the Buffalo Beer Buzz, you'll find stories on Wayland Brewing Spring Beer & Food Festival, sudden closure of Sad Boys Brewing, tickets going on sale and partial brewery list announced for the New York State Craft Brewers Festival, fifth annual NYS Pint Days, extension of The Erie County Fair Homebrew & Cider Competition, a sweet giveaway from Southern Tier Brewing and Perry's Ice Cream, and the return of Wing Night to Belt Line Brewery & Kitchen.

In this week's Buffalo Beer Buzz, we have stories on Grapes + Hops Festival and Cabin Fever Beer & Wine Festival, lager from 42 North Brewing and Delaware North, return of Woodcock Brothers XPA, sour from Froth Brewing and Alzheimer's Association WNY, Dyngus Day events at Buffalo Brewing, Flying Bison and Hofbrauhaus, a new sour from Thin Man Brewery and more.

Hamburg Brewing Launches Summer Lager & Orchard Apricot Cider Just in time for warmer weather, Hamburg Brewing has released Summer Lager, a crisp 4.2% American lager with a refreshing “kiss of lime.” It's perfect for cookouts, beach days, or relaxing with a good book. They’ve also dropped Orchard Apricot, a seasonal cider. Both are now on tap and available in 12oz. 6-pack cans at Hamburg’s taproom.Smash Factor IPA Returns to Resurgence on April 12 Smash Factor, the light and sessionable 5.5% IPA brewed in collaboration with OnCore Golf and PGA Hope WNY, makes its return to Resurgence Brewing on April 12 (12pm). The release party features putting and chipping games, giveaways, and Masters coverage in the taproom. $1 per pint and $2 per 4-pack benefit PGA Hope, supporting local veterans.Sour Power Sour Beer Fest Comes Back to Pizza Plant Transit Sour lovers rejoice! Sour Power returns April 13 (12pm) at Pizza Plant’s Transit Road location. Expect a stacked lineup including Cantillon Kriek (2024), Mortalis Hydra: Sangria, Cascade Sang Royal (2017), Thin Man Minkey Starburst, and many more. Enjoy flight specials, 20% off sour bottles, and complimentary Tums for the brave. Free and open to the public.CBW, Thin Man & Smoldered Society Tap Takeover at The Caz – April 11 Celebrate New York Craft Beer Day at The Caz with a triple tap takeover featuring Community Beer Works, Thin Man Brewery, and Smoldered Society (6:30pm). DJ Cochise will be spinning funky vibes while the taps pour highlights like CBW’s Pineapple Princess, Thin Man’s Bliss DIPA, and Smoldered Society’s Simulated Reality. Tickets are $5 GA or $20 VIP (includes mezzanine access + 2 drink tickets).April 11 is Now Officially New York Craft Beer Day Governor Kathy Hochul has proclaimed April 11 as the inaugural New York Craft Beer Day, recognizing over 500 independent breweries across the state that contribute $4.8 billion to the economy and support 22,000 jobs. It's the perfect excuse to support your local brewery. Learn more at ThinkNYDrinkNY.com.Innovation Thursdays Return to Big Ditch + New Bar Bill Collab Innovation Thursdays are back at Big Ditch Brewing! Each first Thursday of the month brings a new beer and wing flavor to their taproom, alongside happy hour deals from 3-6pm ($5 drafts, $10 apps). April’s release included Molten Cheeto Madness Wings and Wai-iti IPA.Big Ditch also teamed up with Bar Bill Clarence to brew Bar-Bill Secret Sauce IPA, a crushable 6% hazy IPA designed to pair perfectly with wings. It's currently available on draft at Bar Bill Clarence (8326 Main Street).Stay tuned for more updates and craft beer news at BuffaloBeerLeague.com

Community Beer Works Exits Elmwood-Bidwell Project Nearly two years after announcing plans for a taproom at 976 Elmwood Avenue, Community Beer Works has officially pulled out. Director of Operations Chris Groves says CBW hasn’t been involved in the project for over a year and will instead focus on optimizing their Chandler Street location and other existing sites. No plans have been announced for their former 7th Street taproom.CollaBEERation V Tickets Still Available Limited general admission tickets remain for CollaBEERation V on April 5 (2-6pm) at The Powerhouse. The festival features unique collabs from WNY breweries, cideries, and meaderies, with food vendors like Pizza Plant, Britesmith, and Brisket Love BBQ. The theme is “Hollywood,” and costumes are encouraged. GA tickets are $70 (includes unlimited pours and commemorative glass); DD tickets also available.Tap That Tap Room Anniversary – Win Free Beer for a Year Tap That Tap Room in Tonawanda is turning one and giving away free beer for a year to 10 winners. To enter, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, share their contest post, and tag a friend. The anniversary celebration happens Saturday, April 5 with live music (Sonic Legacy, 4–7pm), Orso Nero pizza, and a Buffalo Bandits watch party at 9pm.Rusty Nickel Launches Buffalo What? IPA + Bandits Watch Party On April 5 at 8pm, Rusty Nickel Brewing will release Buffalo What? IPA, a lightly hopped American IPA. It's the second in their lacrosse-inspired series, following To The Box Lager. Stick around for a Buffalo Bandits watch party at 9pm for their game against the Colorado Mammoth. Both beers will be available on draft and in 4-pack cans.Bev Depot Beer Store Opens in Cheektowaga Bev Depot has officially opened at 2190 Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga. The 6,000 sq. ft. store offers over 2,000 SKUs of beer, with a strong focus on local craft. “We’re proud to support local breweries and offer the lowest prices in Buffalo,” they shared online. Visit bevdepot.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram for more info.Kleinhans Rhythm & Brews Returns – May 9 The annual Rhythm and Brews fundraiser at Kleinhans Music Hall is back on May 9 (6:30–9pm). Enjoy tastings from local breweries and cideries, with food from Oliver’s, Britesmith, Creekview Restaurant, and Marcato by Oliver’s. GA tickets are $45 and include a commemorative Belgian beer glass; VIP ($85) includes early access, first pours, and reserved seating.Science After Hours: To Infinity And Beer-ond – April 25 Presented by the WNY Brewers Guild, this 21+ event at the Buffalo Museum of Science features tastings from Big Ditch, Brazen, Rusty Nickel, and Spotted Octopus. Explore astronomy exhibits, make mission patches, taste freeze-dried treats, and more. Tickets are $39 and available online. Planetarium shows are already sold out—don’t wait!For more local beer news and events, visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com

This week's Buffalo Beer Buzz has stories on Spotted Octopus Brewing opening this weekend in Rochester, 42 North Brewing Tree Tap Maple Fest, three new beers from Southern Tier Brewing, including a new Perry's Ice Cream collab, return of The Genesee Brewery Ruby Red Kolsch, the official opening of Big Ditch Brewing Lockport and a new collab from Magic Bear Beer Cellar and OSB Ciderworks.A few ways to help the podcast:Please rate and review! Use our Amazon affiliate link - Buffalobeerleague.com/Amazon.Call the Buffalo Beer League hotline at 716-486-BEERFollow us! Facebook (facebook.com/thebuffalobeerleague), X (@buffbeerleague) & Instagram, Untappd and Threads (@buffalobeerleague). You can also reach us at brian@buffalobeerleague.com and www.buffalobeerleague.com.

Brian is back this week with Scott to break down the latest in Buffalo’s craft beer scene:Southern Tier Brewing’s Overpack’d IPA Pack: The latest Overpack’d 15-pack includes Lake Shore Fog, Smooth Rider (exclusive), IPA, Citra Fog, and 2XIPA, ranging from 4.8% to 8.2% ABV. Available now wherever great craft beer is sold.Buffalo Bisons Craft Beer Ticket Pack: Includes 2 undated game tickets & 4 craft beer vouchers for $60. Features beers from Resurgence, Southern Tier, Hamburg, Big Ditch, and more. The Bisons open their season March 28 vs. Rochester Red Wings. More info: Bisons.com.Imperial March of Stouts at Pizza Plant Transit: On March 9, enjoy rare stouts from Founders, Goose Island, Mortalis, Other Half, Old First Ward, and more. Star Wars-themed event with North Ridge Fanforce in costume—$5 off a flight for wearing Star Wars gear!Windy Brew 8th Anniversary Party: March 8 in Strykersville with live music, drink specials, and the 8 Weeks to 8 Years prize drawings, including gift cards, mug club memberships, and more. Free event!Smoldered Society Tasting at Nickel City Brewz: March 8 (6-8pm), featuring samples of Illusion of Society Imperial NEIPA, Simulated Reality Sour, Strike Anywhere Czech Pilsner, and more. Meier’s Creek Brewing will also host a tasting on Friday.OP Shamrock Bar Crawl: March 8 (2-8pm) in Orchard Park with stops at Wayland Brewing, First Line Brewing, Fattey Beer OP, and more. Free to participate, with giveaways, prizes, and green-themed fun!Falls Brewery Grand Opening – March 14: Located in Military Square Plaza, Falls Brewery will feature a five-tank brewing system, taproom, banquet space, restaurant, and games like mini bowling and golf simulators. Soft opening March 13 (5-9pm). More info: FallsBreweryUSA.com.For more Buffalo beer news, visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com. 🍻

There’s a lot going on in the local beer scene, but unfortunately, we also have some sad news. Two beloved spots in Buffalo’s craft community are closing their doors.Illumination Meadery Closing: Operating out of Mortalis Brewing’s Niagara Street taproom, Illumination Meadery has announced their closure due to rising costs, shifting demand, and life changes for the owners. They’ll have a final sendoff at CollaBEERation Fest on April 5, and until then, you can still grab some of their meads on tap or in bottles.12 Gates Brewing Closing: After nine years, 12 Gates Brewing in Williamsville has also closed. Their announcement reflects on the incredible memories made with their loyal customers. Their sister location in Ellicottville closed last summer, making this an especially tough goodbye for the local beer scene.On a brighter note, here’s what’s happening in the beer world:Brickyard Brewing’s Stained Glass Vol. 1 Returns: This 8.8% Belgian Quad, aged in rum and bourbon barrels, is now available in 375ml corked and caged bottles. Limited to just eight cases, it’s available at Brickyard’s Lewiston taproom and select retailers.4 The Ward Collab from Old First Ward Breweries: Resurgence, Briarbrothers, Old First Ward, and Frequentem Brewing have teamed up for 4 The Ward, a collab supporting the Old First Ward Community Center. Visit each brewery, grab a pint, complete a punch card, and each completed card means a donation to the center. Running now through St. Patrick’s weekend!Hofbrauhaus March Märzen Tapping: On March 6, Hofbrauhaus is teaming up with Witches of the Moonlight for their March Märzen release. Expect live music, a parade, a dance performance, and a rich, malty Märzen on tap. 10% of designated meals go to the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.CollaBEERation Festival First Collab Beers Announced: The Powerhouse hosts CollaBEERation Fest on April 5, and the first round of collab beers has been revealed. Highlights include a tequila barrel-aged dark lager, a pink lemonade gose, and an Italian pilsner. More details to come.Buffalo Home Show Returns With Happy Hours: The Buffalo Home Show is back March 7-9 and 14-16 with over 300 exhibitors at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Each Friday night features a different happy hour with beer samplings from Labatt and food from Cabot Cheese. Use code BEER for $4 off tickets.All of this is brought to you by Scott while Brian’s on vacation. As always, check out BuffaloBeerLeague.com for the latest news on Buffalo’s craft beer scene.

Scott flies solo this week as Brian flies to someplace warm. Here's a quick update on the Buffalo Beer Scene this week:2025 Brewer’s Invitational: Tickets are still available for this year’s event in Orchard Park. It’ll feature 50+ brews from 30 local breweries, cideries, and meaderies. $60.03 gets you a tasting glass, a $5 food voucher to NYBP, and all the sampling you can handle. For any designated drivers, tickets are available too. Always a good time!New York State Craft Brewers Fest: This year’s event at Canalside on June 21 promises to be packed with craft beer from over 50 breweries. Live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors will also be in full swing. Tickets, brewery details, and more info coming soon.Southern Tier’s Downshift N/A IPA: For those who want the taste of a classic IPA without the alcohol, Southern Tier’s got you covered. It’s now available in 6-packs of 12oz cans. Less than 0.5% ABV but still all the hop-forward flavor!Magic Bear x Talking Cursive Collab: Magic Bear is teaming up with Talking Cursive for a new beer release—RaspBeary Porter. It’s a dry Irish-style porter with a twist of raspberry, set for release on Feb. 28. Derek from Talking Cursive will be there to chat about the beer too.Wayland Brewing’s 16oz Cans: After sticking with 12oz cans, Wayland Brewing is jumping to 16oz for some of their beers. Super Deluxe IPA, Waylander German Pilsner, and the new Case Study West Coast IPA will all be available in the new size at bars and retailers soon.Community Beer Works Giveaway: You can win a CBW brewery jacket (XL size) and a $50 gift card from Consumer’s Beverages. All February long, CBW 4-packs, 6-packs, and 12-packs are $1 off at Consumer’s. A sweet deal if you’re a CBW fan.For more info on these stories and always, check out BuffaloBeerLeague.com.