Buffalo Beer Buzz - May 17th, 2024

Welcome to WNY Brews! On this week’s episode, Scott and Brian talk about some exciting events and news in the Western New York beer scene.

First up, tickets are now on sale for the New York State Craft Brewers Festival: Buffalo, which returns to Canalside on June 22. This year, the festival will feature craft beer from over 50 breweries across the state. Attendees will have the chance to meet the brewers, enjoy live music, explore a food truck rodeo, shop with vendors, and even catch live wrestling by Grapple Pro. New this year are GA+ tickets, which include early access, a souvenir tasting glass, and a $5 merch voucher. Tickets can be purchased online, and hard copy tickets are available at Resurgence Brewing, Big Ditch, Wayland Brewing, and Britesmith. Plus, $1 from each ticket will benefit the P.U.N.T Pediatric Cancer Collaborative.

Next, One-Eyed Cat Brewing in Williamsville is celebrating its second anniversary on June 1 with a full day of festivities. Enjoy live music from Whiskey Trick (2-5pm) and Ransom Road (6-9pm), shop local vendors, and savor BBQ sundaes from Pork Bellies BBQ. There will also be a special anniversary beer release. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

The Buffalo Beer Geeks are kicking off their summer Scavenger Hunt on June 27 at Nickel City Brewz from 5-9pm. The launch party will feature a quadruple tap takeover by Strangebird Beer, Noble Shepherd Craft Brewery, Old First Ward Brewing, and Buffalo Brewing Company, which have collaborated on a special brew for the event. Enjoy music from Mike West and food from Molly’s Wood Fired Pizza. Sign up for the scavenger hunt via the BBG Facebook group, with prizes to be announced soon.

In honor of the Village of Hamburg's 150th anniversary, Hamburg Brewing has crafted a special beer named ‘1874.’ This American Wheat Ale, modeled after the original White Corner Wheat recipe, boasts a 5.3% ABV and is brewed with Pilsner and Wheat malts, and Herkules, Perle, and Citra hops. It will be available on draft and in 12oz. 6-pack cans for $10.99 and $39.99 per case.

The Nickel Plate, an artisan market inside the Niagara Frontier Food Terminal, will hold its grand opening on May 18. Featuring over 120 vendors with locally made products, a restaurant, and a bar, the market will offer draft beers at $1 off and a $10 gift card for every 10th visitor. The 10 rotating taps will feature selections from local breweries including 42 North Brewing, Community Beer Works, and more.

Lastly, Resurgence Brewing and 42 North Brewing will be part of the Erie County Parks Department's Pints in the Park Program. This summer and fall, enjoy pop-up beer gardens at various Erie County parks. The program includes stops at Chestnut Ridge, Ellicott Creek, Como Lake, and Emery Park. For dates and more information, visit the Erie County Parks Department website.

For more details on these stories, visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com. You can reach us at (716) 486-BEER or email us at Scott@WNYBrews.com or Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com. Cheers!


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Publish Date: 5/18/2024




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It’s the most unique beer festival in the country, and we’re going behind the scenes! Scott is joined by Brian Campbell (Buffalo Beer League), Paul Marco (Buffalo Beer Geeks), and Eric Coleman (Beer by Coleman) to talk about the magic, the logistics, and the "blood codes" behind CollaBEERation 2026.

Scott is drinking a Big Ditch Pineapple Hayburner, Brian has the First Line Foundations Dry Hop Lager, and Paul is rocking the new-look Hamburg Brewing Rusty Chain. Eric is staying hydrated for a busy catering gig tomorrow—true professional style.


Inside CollaBEERation 2026 (April 25th):
    The Origin Story: Paul Marco breaks down how the fest grew from a desire to "bridge the gap" between breweries and consumers. It’s about more than just drinking; it’s about the beer fan learning the business and the brewer hearing the "geek" demand.The "Secret Sauce": Eric Coleman gives us a peek at the massive admin and logistics effort required to coordinate 40-60 unique, never-before-brewed beers across the region.The 8-Bit Theme: This year’s theme is Video Games. Expect pixels, 8-bit graphics, and some very creative "bloody" pours.Featured Collaborations:Hamburg x Beer Geeks x Flying Bison: A special "Brindle Porter" based on Tim Herzog’s original recipe, served on cask and aged on coconut and rum chips.Mystic Hills: "Finish Him"—a cherry lime sour with a Mortal Kombat "blood code" twist.Old First Ward: "Eternal Darkness"—a juicy Black New England IPA.New York Beer Project: A hoppy pale ale featuring color-changing glitter.The Cantillon Conflict: It’s a busy day in Buffalo! Zwanze Day is happening the same day at Moor Pat, making April 25th the ultimate "Uber Day" for local beer lovers.
Ticket Information:
    VIP: Sold Out! (But listen for tips on how to snag them earlier next year).General Admission: $70 + fees (includes unlimited pours and a commemorative glass).Designated Driver: Highly encouraged and available for a fraction of the price.Purchase at: CollabBeerationFest.com
GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎟️

Paul and the guys are giving away a pair of tickets to the festival!

    Go to the Buffalo Beer Geeks Facebook group.Find the post for this podcast.Comment with #BuffaloBeerBuzz and mention the specific hat Paul is wearing (or something on Scott's shelf!).Winner picked Friday, April 17th.
Support the Scene:
    Buffalo Beer Buzz: Subscribe to the new dedicated news feed for your weekly 716 updates.Rate & Review: Help us grow the new feed by leaving a review on Apple or Spotify.YouTube: Watch the full video version of this episode at YouTube.com/WNYBrews.


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Publish Date: 4/15/2026


It’s a massive weekend in the Queen City! While Brian is resting up, Scott is flying solo to break down the best spots for hoops fans, new budget-friendly packs, and the "official" start of Spring in Western New York.

Scott is tasting the new Southern Tier Steady Yeti EZ IPA (3.8%)—a crisp, sessionable pour that might just be the new king of the Overpack.


This Week’s WNY Beer News:
    March Madness in Buffalo (March 19 & 21): The NCAA Men's Tournament has arrived at KeyBank Center. Check out our Handy Guide to Downtown Drinking at BuffaloBeerLeague.com to find the best spots within walking distance or a quick Metro Rail ride.Buffalo Beer Madness at Ironworks: Located steps from the arena, Ironworks is teaming up with Thin Man and CBW for game-day specials, including $1 off drafts and $5 shots of Casamigos to keep the energy high.The Burner Relief Kit: Big Ditch Brewing is looking out for your wallet. This new $8.99 "relief pack" features two Hayburners and two Dayburners—the perfect grab-and-go for when you need quality without the full 12-pack commitment.Cheat Day is Here: Southern Tier and Perry’s Ice Cream have launched their latest collab: Cheat Day Imperial Ale (8.6%). Expect big notes of vanilla, brownie batter, and cookie dough. It’s dessert in a glass.Flying Bison Homecoming (March 25): Hamburg Brewing celebrates the legacy of Flying Bison starting at 6 PM this Wednesday. Catch cask tappings of Rye Pale Ale and Rusty Chain, plus giveaways and live music.The Kolsch Returns: It’s official—Genesee Ruby Red Kolsch is back on shelves for 2026. The grapefruit summer staple is hitting stores now in all your favorite formats.
The Buffalo Beer League Hotline:

Are you downtown for the games or sipping a Cheat Day stout? Let us know what's in your glass: 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)


Support the New Feed:

We have officially split the Buffalo Beer Buzz into its own dedicated podcast feed! The best way to help us grow is to Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.


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Publish Date: 3/21/2026


Welcome to the new home of the Buffalo Beer Buzz! While we are still cross-posting on the WNY Brews feed for a little while longer, make sure you hit that "Follow" button here on the new feed and leave a review to help us grow.

This week, Scott is sipping on a classic Big Ditch Dayburner, while Brian digs into the back of the fridge for a Smoldered Society Strike Anywhere: Into the Dark (a Dark Czech Pilsner).


This Week’s WNY Beer News:
    Hofbrauhaus Märzen Tapping (March 5): The seasonal Märzen is back! Enjoy a complimentary pour (21+) and support WNY Heroes with their roundup campaign. Our own Scott (BBL Co-founder) confirms it's one of their best of the year.Sip, Solve & Crack the Case (March 6): Head to Tap That Tap Room in Tonawanda for a self-paced mystery night. $50 gets you 4 beers, 4 bites, and a case file to solve.Imperial March of Stouts (March 8): Pizza Plant Transit goes full Dark Side. Star Wars costumes, heavy hitters like Goose Island Bourbon County and Angry Chair, and $5 off flights if you’re in gear.March Madness Deals: * Buffalo Brewing Co: $4 pints and $15 pitchers (yes, pitchers!) on select beers all month long.Thin Man "Minky Madness": Vote on the next Minky Poodle variant. Will Raspberry Kiwi take the crown? Check their IG to vote.Big Ditch Lockport’s 1st Anniversary (March 12): They grow up so fast! Free cake, live music, and the return of Hoodledasher Hazy IPA.First Annual Mead Share (March 13): Bee Spit Meadery hosts a massive share in South Wales featuring 100+ bottles and local favorites like Queen City and 716 Mead People.St. Paddy’s Warmup (March 14): Rusty Nickel’s Music Fest features 10 hours of music, Irish dancers, and a massive 4,800 sq. ft. party tent.
The Buffalo Beer League Hotline:

Found a mystery beer you can’t stop thinking about? Tell us why it’s the best thing you drank this week:

📞 716-486-BEER (2337)


Links & Support:

Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague (IG/Untappd) | @BuffBeerLeague (X)

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Publish Date: 3/6/2026


The team is back on a brand-new recording platform as we prepare for the official Buffalo Beer Buzz feed split. Scott is sipping on a Steelbound Reposado (with a splash of lime), and Brian is working through his stash of Buffalo Brewing Simon Pure.

This week, we’re talking about massive release parties, bittersweet liquidations, and enough giveaways to fill a growler.


Inside This Episode:
    The Brewers Invitational (Feb 28): It’s the 7th annual return to the NYBP Beer Lodge (Orchard Park). We preview a wild beer list featuring Mortalis, Other Half, and Big Ditch.The Big Reveal: NYBP is pouring their first-ever Coolship Ale. Brian might not leave that table.Another Caucasian Gary (Feb 26): Resurgence Brewing is hosting the release party for this award-winning White Russian Stout. Meet the other Scott (McMillan), enjoy bowling contests, and try the Maple or Cinnamon Toast Crunch cask versions. The Dude abides!Steel Leaf Liquidations: As Steel Leaf prepares to close their doors this Saturday, they’re hosting a liquidation sale on Friday (Feb 27) from 10 AM – 7 PM. Furniture, fixtures, and brewing equipment—everything must go.Giveaway Mania:Big Ditch & The Ridge: Enter via Step Out Buffalo for $100 gift cards (Deadline: Feb 26 & March 2).Golf Buffalo Expo: Win two tickets ($70 value) for the March 14th event at Pearl Street via Tap & Craft’s Instagram.Evil or EVL?: Ellicottville Brewing drops their new EVL Tea House line. We settle the debate: is it "E-V-L" or just "Evil"? (Spoiler: It’s Evil).
Win Tickets to the Brewers Invitational!

Brian has five pairs of tickets to give away. Head over to the @BuffaloBeerLeague Instagram right now, find the pinned post with the tasting glass, tag a friend, and you could be headed to the Beer Lodge this Saturday!

The Buffalo Beer League Hotline:

Are you heading to the Steel Leaf "Drain the Bar" party or the Gary release? Call us and let us know what you're drinking: 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)


Support & Links:
    Amazon Shopping: BuffaloBeerLeague.com/amazonThe Best Beer I Drank This Week: Check out Episode #18 for the deep dive on Another Caucasian Gary with Scott McMillan.Follow Us: @WNYBrews & @BuffaloBeerLeague on all platforms.


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Publish Date: 2/26/2026


Scott and Brian are back together after Brian’s excursion to the "Happiest Place on Earth." This week, the conversation spans from the excitement of the upcoming high-holy season of Irish music to the sobering reality of recent brewery closures in Western New York.

Important Update: The Buffalo Beer Buzz is officially moving to its own podcast feed! To make sure you don't miss a single weekly update come April or May, search for "Buffalo Beer Buzz" in your favorite podcatcher and hit follow.


On Tap This Week:
    Team Disney Recap: Brian is back and sipping on a Buffalo Brewing Simon Pure, while Scott enjoys a classic Hamburg Brewing Irish Red (with a roasty twist).YouTube Bound: We’re moving toward video! Watch Scott solve a Rubik's cube in record time while discussing the nuances of dark copper lagers.Keenan Wine & Beer Bash: Happening Feb 21st at the Keenan Center Arena. Wine gardens, live music, and "Blaster Ball"—whatever that is!Brewski at Knox Farm: 42 North's legendary event is officially SOLD OUT. If you have tickets, get ready for a two-mile trek through the park with five beer samples.Autism Acceptance Month: First Line Brewing and the Summit Center are teaming up for "Foundations," a dry-hopped American Lager with Strata hops. Pre-orders are open now!Sabreshood Bar Network: Johnson’s Landing is now a Sabres destination—games with the volume ON and watch parties with alumni.
The Bitter News:

We discuss the closing of two local staples: One-Eyed Cat Craft House and Steel Leaf Brewing. Brian and Scott reflect on their history with these spaces and the shifting climate of the local craft beer scene.


The Road to St. Paddy's:
    The Brewers Invitational: Feb 28th at NYBP Beer Lodge in Orchard Park. Stay tuned to our socials for a potential ticket giveaway!The Great Guinness Toast: Catch Scott and his band, Almost Seamus, at the Buffalo Irish Center tomorrow night (Feb 20th).
The Buffalo Beer League Hotline:

Did you drink something world-class this week? Tell us about it and you might hear yourself on a future episode! 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)


Connect With Us:


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Publish Date: 2/20/2026


It’s Friday, February 13th, and Scott is flying solo! With Brian Campbell currently exploring the "happiest place on earth," Scott braves the 30-degree Buffalo chill with a Hayburner in hand to bring you the latest from the Buffalo Beer Buzz.

In this episode, we talk about some major changes coming to the podcast feed, celebrate a few upcoming anniversaries, and look ahead to the return of golf (and baseball) season.


Inside This Episode:
    The Big Split: We are officially moving the Buffalo Beer Buzz to its own dedicated podcast feed! Keep an eye on your podcast catcher for the new channel so you don't miss the weekly news updates. WNY Brews will remain your home for deep-dive interviews with brewers and industry pros.Wildflower Meadery turns 1! Celebrate their first anniversary on February 28th (4–10 PM) at the Niagara Frontier Food Terminal. New taproom exclusives and the launch of the "Buzz Club" are on the horizon.Peppers Nightclub: News on the former Froth Brewing taproom at 700 Military Road. Everest Brewery owner Shamsher Singh is planning a spring opening for "Peppers," featuring live bands, DJs, and a full dinner menu.
    Bisons & Brews: The Southern Tier Craft Beer Pack is back! Get two undated tickets and four craft beer vouchers for $64. Season kicks off March 27th.
    Golf Buffalo Expo: Mark your calendars for March 14th at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (3rd & 4th floors). $35 gets you a tasting glass and samples from 10+ craft brands.
    NYS Craft Beer Day: April 11th (4/11) is the day to celebrate. Look out for the limited-edition commemorative pint glass designed by Pints and Panels.
Support the Show:
    Amazon Affiliate Link: Heading to Amazon? Start your journey at BuffaloBeerLeague.com/amazon and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you.Rate & Review: If you're digging the solo Scott vibes (or just want to welcome Brian back), leave us a review!
The Buffalo Beer League Hotline:

Did you drink something better than a Hayburner this week? (Unlikely, but possible!) Tell us about it: 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)


Upcoming Gigs:

Catch Scott’s band, Almost Seamus (formerly Almost Shameless), throughout the First Ward this March!

    Next Up: The Great Guinness Toast at the Buffalo Irish Center on February 20th.Web: almostseamus.com


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Publish Date: 2/14/2026


The Buffalo Beer Buzz: Buffalo On Tap & Summer Brew Dreams

Welcome back to WNY Brews! This week, Scott and Brian dive into the latest edition of the Buffalo Beer Buzz. We’re breaking down everything happening in the Western New York craft scene for the weekend of February 6th and beyond.

From massive festivals at the convention center to "never-before-seen" flavors hitting North Buffalo, we’ve got your weekend plans covered.


On Tap This Week:
    Buffalo On Tap: Everything you need to know about the two sessions happening this Saturday, February 7th. We talk ticket prices, VIP perks, and the massive brewery list.The Hayburner Walk: Scott discusses his local "gas station staple," while Brian counters with a $9.99 throwback find from Buffalo Brewing Company.Erie County Fair Homebrew Competition: It’s time to start brewing! We discuss the 2026 entry dates (April 1st – May 4th) and the "gentle" nudge toward summertime refreshers.Hofbräuhaus Release: Tonight’s the night for the Doppelbock tapping to benefit Hunter’s Hope.Epic "Never" Flavors: What is Steel Leaf Brewing up to with their new small-batch series? We speculate on taco beers and soy sauce stouts.Pearl Street News: A new West Coast IPA (Resin Runner) and a Neapolitan pizza upgrade in the basement.
Support the Show:
    Amazon Affiliate Link: Doing some shopping? Use BuffaloBeerLeague.com/amazon to help us pay those pesky hosting fees!Rate & Review: If you enjoy the show, leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app.
The Buffalo Beer League Hotline:

We want to hear from you! What is the best beer YOU drank this week? Leave us a voicemail and get featured on the show. 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)


Follow Us:

WNY Brews (Scott):

The Buffalo Beer League (Brian):


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Publish Date: 2/7/2026


This week's Buffalo Beer Buzz has stories on this year's 4 The Ward collab from Resurgence Brewing, BriarBrothers Brewing, Frequentem Brewing Buffalo and Gene McCarthy's/Old First Ward Brewing Co., Froth Brewing taproom to close this weekend, this year's Cabin Fever Beer & Wine Festival at Buffalo Ski Center, the return of Another Caucasian, Gary at Resurgence and grand opening of 42 North at the Vault in East Aurora.

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Publish Date: 2/3/2026


The Show

Scott Panfil brings you WNY Brews from beautiful Buffalo in Western New York. Whether you think its a Noun or a Verb, the word “brew” has numerous meanings and all of them are well-worth talking about.

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