Buffalo Brews Podcast

Turkey and Pumpkin Brew: Happy Thanksgiving

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the Buffalo Brews Podcast, Jason and Bri settle in for a laid-back conversation filled with holiday nostalgia, brewing excitement, and upcoming events in the Western New York craft beer scene.

They kick off with Thanksgiving traditions—old, new, and evolving—as Bri talks about ditching the classic dinner for a full-on Thanksgiving breakfast featuring a waffle bar and tater-tot casserole. From there, the conversation flows into memories of family gatherings, football, and how holiday customs shift over time.

The pair crack open “I Got Your Six,” the American IPA Jason helped brew at First Line Brewing. They dive into the beer’s veteran-crafted hop blend, its light citrus profile, and the special can artwork featuring the names of the veteran brewers involved. They also recap the First Line Veterans BBQ with Buffalo Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson, plus some favorite finds from local vendors like Q42 BBQ and I Got Your Six Candle Company.

Next, Jason and Bri reveal their next big brewing collaboration for the 2025 Buffalo CollaBEERation Festival, for a video-game-themed beer.

As the beers keep flowing—including Big Ditch’s new Turkey Trotter Blonde Ale—the hosts wander into running stories: the Buffalo Turkey Trot, Disney races, trail-running surprises, and their own race plans for 2025 (including Tunnels to Towers and the Buffalo Marathon 5K).

They wrap up with early holiday spirit, Deck the Halls plans, Buffalo weather gripes, and plenty of laughter as the season ramps up.

A cozy, beer-filled, holiday-ready episode perfect for Thanksgiving week.

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Publish Date: 11/27/2025

Recent Episodes

BEAR-ly Getting Started 13.3 - Smoked Porter

In this third installment of the Smokey Sips series , Jason and Craig dive deep into a darker, richer side of smoked beer with Leaning Chimney — a smoked porter from Gray Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island.

After exploring a Märzen and a smoked Polish wheat beer in earlier episodes, the hosts shift gears to examine how smoke interacts with a more robust base style. Craig breaks down how smoked beers can be created from nearly any grain bill, and how the malt recipe, hopping, carbonation, and base beer style shape the final flavor experience.

The discussion takes listeners on a sensory journey. Comparing different smoke types — Beechwood vs. peat — and how smoke expresses itself differently across beer styles. They touch on porter history, cigar comparisons, barbecue wood varieties, brewing techniques, and how their palates evolve across a horizontal tasting of smoked beers.

Publish Date: 12/4/2025

BEAR-ly Getting Started 13.2 - Grodziskie

In this installment of Bear-ly Getting Started, Jason sits down with Craig for the second entry in the “Smoky Sips” mini-series. Broadcasting from Larkinville, the duo dives deep into one of Buffalo Brewing Company’s most unique offerings: the 1976 Grodziskie, a traditional Polish smoked wheat ale affectionately known as the “Polish Champagne.”

Craig shares the story of how brewing this very style led him to meet brewer and Buffalo beer historian John Domrez, and how that connection shaped Craig’s hands-on path toward becoming a Cicerone. Together, Jason and Craig explore the Grodziskie’s origins, its subtle yet distinctive smoked wheat character, and its crisp, low-ABV drinkability that makes it an ideal “table beer.”

They break down the style’s flavor profile, the role of Polish ingredients like Lubelski hops, and why some drinkers lovingly (or not so lovingly) refer to it as the “kielbasa beer.” From pairing ideas—like grilled hot dogs, smoky cheeses, or pan-seared kielbasa—to the beer’s rich cultural history spanning centuries, the conversation highlights what makes this niche style both surprising and memorable.

As the pair wrap up beer two of the four-part series, they cleanse the palate and tease the next shift in smoked malt styles coming in the following episode.

Cheers—and get ready for another pour of smoke when you tune in next time.

Publish Date: 11/20/2025

Old Reliable, Rainy Adventures, and Viking Feasts

In this lively episode of The Buffalo Brews Podcast, Jason and Bri kick things off with a little technical drama as their trusty Old Reliable Zoom PodTrak P4 fills in for the temperamental P8. From there, the duo dives into a cozy, conversational recap of their autumn adventures — blending humor, storytelling, and that unmistakable Buffalo energy.

They chat about Halloween and daylight savings woes, swapping stories about mornings and early sunsets. Then it’s on to October camping tales, where the weather at Allegheny State Park refused to cooperate — rain, rain, and more rain — but the fun still flowed with Viking costumes, turkey legs, homemade mead, and even a first attempt at Viking bread.

The journey continues through Hikemania 2, exploring Genesee County Park’s haunted history, hidden graves, and birdwatching with the Merlin app, before heading to Letchworth State Park — the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Between cider donuts, Porsche sightings, and fall foliage, Jason and Bri find beauty (and beer) in every detour.

Their road trip wraps up in Rochester with an impromptu craft beer crawl — cider donut sours at K2 Brewing, autumn sunshine in Fairport, and hearty German fare at Faircraft Brauhaus (including a legendary German garbage plate).

Full of laughter, local flavor, and a few soggy hiking boots, this episode perfectly captures the Buffalo Brews spirit: great company, great beer, and great stories — rain or shine.

The Tap and Craft Festival is coming Saturday, October 4th to Buffalo Riverworks. New venue with the same great experience. VIP admission from 3-4PM and general session from 4-7PM. Plenty of free parking and live music by Dead Alliance Buffalo from 3-6:30PM.

Ticket prices for VIP are just $45. General session are $35. Designated driver ticket for just $10. Admission will give you a commemorative tasting glass and samples from over 30 craft breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries

Publish Date: 11/11/2025

BEAR-ly Getting Started 13.1 - Rauchbier

Hosts Jason and Craig kick off their thirteenth series, “Smoky Sips,” exploring the world of smoked beers and their deep roots in brewing history. The inspiration for the series came from Craig’s discovery of several smoked beers in his personal collection — enough to spark an entire new theme focused on rich, smoky flavors perfect for colder weather.

The episode centers around Rauchbier (pronounced “Rauk-beer”), a traditional German smoked Märzen known as one of the most iconic and historic beer styles. Craig, drawing on his expertise as a Certified Cicerone, walks listeners through the evolution of smoked beers — from the primitive malting processes that unintentionally infused grains with smoke to the 19th-century innovations that refined roasting and kilning. Jason adds fascinating historical notes, including the fact that January 23rd is celebrated as Smoke Beer Preservation Day, honoring the long legacy of Bamberg’s Schlenkerla Brewery, the legendary home of Rauchbier.

Featuring Rauchbier from Dovetail Brewery of Chicago, IL.

Publish Date: 11/5/2025

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We celebrate the 50th episode of Bear-ly Getting Started and it is only appropriate that we do so with a golden stout. Also known as a white stout. After Craig tells us a bit about our feature brewery, we learn what a white or golden stout is. We close out any series by talking about what's available at Magic Bear Beer Cellar including their award-winning trivia night. We also recognize this series as a favorite of the World Podcast Network. Featuring Guilty Remnant from Blood Brothers Brewing out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Publish Date: 10/16/2025

Racing into Fall

The running and golfing season has come to an end which means fall is in full swing. Jason and Bri add new experiences to resume with a Porsche car show, as well as dinner and drinks at Bri's favorite social media stalk, Bella Ciao. A return to the Lewiston Harvest & Hops Festival and the episode closes as Bri prepares for her annual camping trip.

Publish Date: 10/8/2025

BEAR-ly Getting Started 12.3 - Flanders Red

The original Belgium sour ale comes to the forefront as we learn the components of how it is made as well as learning some about the technique. Over 200 years of history in just one, great beer. If you were ever curious about glassware, Jason and Craig touch on the subject to really get you thinking. Featuring Rodenbach Classic from Brouwerij Rodenback in Roeselare, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium.

Publish Date: 9/23/2025

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All things brewing around Buffalo, Western New York, New York State, and beyond. We talk craft beer, wine, history, places to go, things to do and much more. Appreciate new experiences and explore the many facets that life has offer through food, drink, and us… at the Buffalo Brews Podcast.

Turkey and Pumpkin Brew: Happy Thanksgiving

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