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WNY Brews

Rochester Beer with Will Cleveland

Will Cleveland is a beer writer for Rochester's biggest newspaper, the Democrat and Chronicle. Apart from local news interests, he documents the city's beer rise as Rochester makes a name for itself in the craft beer industry.


Rochester, like Buffalo, has a long tradition of brewing, and is the home of the World-famous Genesee Brewery. In recent years, however, Rochester has seen the growth of local craft breweries as well as the opening of renowned brands in The Flour City.


Get the rundown with Will and The Buffalo Beer League on this episode of WNY Brews!

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  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, March 15th, 2024

    46:06
    These stories and more at BuffaloBeerLeague.com:GOLF BUFFALO EXPO, WOODCOCK HOMEBREW SESSION, BUFFALO HOME SHOW, THAWFEST, ST. PATRICK’S DAY, NEW BEERS FROM GENESEE, BIG DITCH, STRANGEBIRD, SOUTHERN TIER
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, March 8th, 2024

    31:58
    This week you can see all of these stories at BuffaloBeerLeague.com:Hammer & Ales, 42 North Outpost Closes, Eclipse & Sips, Brickyard 1812 Night, 1927 Brew House DIPA, Imperial March Of Stouts, Mortalis Flights, Hofbrauhaus Marzen
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, March 1st, 2024

    22:44
    We go into what's happening this week and beyond in Buffalo Beer. Stories include:Third Annual KBC – Kegs, Barrels, and Crafts at 500 PearlOn April 7 (12-3pm), the third annual KBC – Kegs, Barrels, and Crafts, a beer, wine and whiskey event featuring more than 50 vendors from Western New York, will take place at 500 Pearl. Tickets can be purchased here.97 Rock Home Show Happy Hour Returns to Buffalo Home ShowNot only is the Buffalo Home Show returning to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center this year (Mar. 8-10, 15-17), so too is The 97 Rock Home Show Happy Hour. The event, hosted by Tom Ragan from Shredd & Ragan In The Morning, features craft beer from Big Ditch Brewing (Hayburner, No Punts Intended) and Hamburg Brewing (Irish Red, Blueberry Peach Cider), cider, wine, games, trivia and a special building contest, each Friday night (5-7pm), free for all attendees 21 and over. Pearl Street Brewery, Riverworks Brewing Drop New Hazy IPAThe Pearl Street family of breweries has dropped a new hazy IPA, Charging the Storm, which is available at both Pearl Street and RiverworksEngagement Party for Community Beer Works, Thin Man BreweryAfter the news that Community Beer Works is acquiring Thin Man Brewery, they are making it official with an engagement party on Mar. 2 (12pm) at 520 Seventh St. The special day will feature a dock sale at noon with cans, kegs and merchandise, an exclusive beer release (The Whale/Peanut Butter Jenkins Imperial Stout cuvee), games, giveaways, music, and more beer.Windy Brew Set to Celebrate 7th AnniversaryWindy Brew is celebrating seven years in Strykersville and is celebrating on Mar. 2 (5pm). The party will feature live music from Rob Koepf, beers from the past on tap, and beer and food specials all day long. Windy Brew offers a variety of beers from light ales and seasonal brews to IPAs and stouts.Happy Sherpa Travel Booking for First Buffalo Beer ExperienceExperience a lot of what our local craft beer and spirits scene has to offer with Happy Sherpa Travel Co. and their first ever Buffalo Beer Experience. The tour runs Apr. 12-14 and features two nights at the Richardson Hotel, and visits to Autark, Wayland Brewing, Gene McCarthy’s, Resurgence Brewing, Hartman’s Distilling, Hofbrauhaus Buffalo, and Big Ditch Brewing. You can meet the brewers and distillers themselves, tour the facilities and drink some of the best liquid in our own backyard. The Buffalo Beer Experience is $450 per person (based on double occupancy, $200 for singles) and includes hotel, coach, tours and tastings. You can book your spot on the Buffalo Beer Experience here.
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz - February 16th, 2024

    12:40
    For all of this week's stories, check out https://buffalobeerleague.com/buffalo-beer-buzz-brewers-invitational-brewski-buffalo-home-show-froth-anniversary-big-ditch-rewards/LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN FOR 2024 BREWER’S INVITATIONAL42 NORTH’S BREWSKI RETURNS TO KNOX FARM STATE FARM97 ROCK HOME SHOW HAPPY HOUR RETURNS TO BUFFALO HOME SHOWBIG DITCH BREWING LAUNCHES NEW REWARDS PROGRAMFROTH BREWING TO CELEBRATE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, February 9th, 2024

    32:41
    We go in to this week's buffalo Beer Buzz stories! You can find them all at BuffaloBeerLeague.com
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, January 12th, 2024

    19:40
    See these stories at BuffaloBeerBuzz.com:Mystic Hills Contest, 12 Gates Beer Giveaway, Free NYBP Beer For A Year, Big Ditch Eclipse Beer, Gowanda Brewing Meet The Brewer
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, January 7th 2024

    19:35
    Brian runs down this week's stories!
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, December 29th, 2023

    19:10
    Steelbound To Expand, Twin Petrels Closing, & New Year’s Eve Celebrationsfor the full stories, go to BuffaloBeerLeague.com
  • Buffalo Beer Buzz, December 22nd 2023

    28:13
    We go through this weekend's events and releases in the Buffalo Beer Scene. As always, you can find the stories at BuffaloBeerLeague.comThis week we talk about:TICKETS ON SALE FOR THE 2024 BREWER’S INVITATIONAL AT NYBPTickets are on sale for the 2024 Brewer’s Invitational, one of the premiere beer festivals on the beer calendar, which takes place at New York Beer Project on February 18 (2-5pm). Tickets are $55.20 (including taxes and fees) and include a commemorative 2024 Brewer’s Invitational glass, a gift card for NYBP’s gastropub menu, and access to over 50 innovative brews from 30 local breweries, cideries and meaderies. Designated drivers tickets are also available for $12.51 (including taxes and fees). Exclusive beer list and list of participating breweries coming soon. You can purchase tickets here.MYSTIC HILLS BREWING RELEASE FIRST LAGEREast Concord’s Mystic Hills Brewing has tapped The Gusto, their first ever lager. The beer is “a 1960s tribute to all the fathers with pull-top beer cans and a craft beer that any major brewery enthusiast can love and appreciate,” the brewery says. This 4.9% lager is light, crisp, smooth, and sessionable with enough hop presence. SMOLDERED SOCIETY DROPS FIRST TWO BEERSBrewing collective Smoldered Society, an imprint of Community Beer Works, have dropped their first two beers, Better Lagers, a collaboration with hardcore upstarts Better Lovers, and Battery In A Sock, a collab with Florida’s Unseen Creatures Brewery.RESURGENCE BREWING, HAPPY SHERPA TEAM ON BEER TRIPResurgence Brewing and Happy Sherpa Travel Co. are teaming up to present a special beer trip to Germany and Czechia, May 11-19, 2024. The trip features two nights in Bamberg, one night in Pilsen,and four nights in Prague with day trips in Kutna Hora, and lunch with NY Times Travel Writer/Master Cicerone Evan Rail in Prague. MEET THE BREWER NIGHT AT JOHNSON’S LANDINGHamburg’s newest brewery, Johnson’s Landing, is hosting a special Meet the Brewer Night with head brewer Alex Wendley on January 17 (6-8pm). The event is the perfect opportunity to meet the brewer himself, ask questions, hear fascinating stories, gain insight into the art of brewing, and sample Johnson’s Landing beer with Wendley leading a curated tasting session. Tickets are $33.85 (includes taxes and fees) and includes 4 beer tastings, food and Johnson’s Landing custom growler.BUFFALO BREWING RELEASE HALF & HALF CANS, MAGNUM BOTTLESBuffalo Brewing Company have release a trio of beers in magnum sized bottles – Manru Lager, 1976 Grodziskie and 1977 Barrel Aged Barleywine, along with Schreiber’s Half and Half, a blended ale consisting of Manru Ale and Schreiber’s Porter in equal parts, a complex blend of both beers. Also, check out our other podcasts; the Best Beer I Drank This Week and the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines Audio Version.