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, 42 North Brewing presents the Fourth Annual HillTAP Festival at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville on July 27. The event kicks off with a chair lift ride to Spruce Lake and features a day filled with music, craft beer from 42 North, and a variety of outdoor activities. Enjoy live music from Smilo & the Ghost (1-4 pm, Spruce Lake Cabin Stage), Miller & The Other Sinners (4-5:30 pm, Tannenbaum Stage), and Workingmans’ Dead (6-8:30 pm, Tannenbaum Stage). Tickets are available now, with early bird pricing at $35, advance tickets at $45, and day-of tickets at $50.
In other news, BTR Brews in the Village of Angola has announced it will be closing its doors on July 31. In a heartfelt Facebook post, owner Brandy Lombardo expressed gratitude for the support over the past 2.5 years, explaining the closure as a necessary decision for her family’s well-being.
Buffalo is set to welcome Iron Cedar Brewery & Meadery at 4345 Genesee Street, near the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The brewery plans to offer a variety of meads, including unique flavors like Dragons Breath and Maiden Voyage, as well as honey-infused beers. They aim to open later this summer and will also provide food options.
The Genesee Country Village & Museum is hosting History on Tap on June 7, featuring local craft beers, wines, and ciders, including the museum’s own historical brews. The event will include live music, food, magic lantern shows, and more. Participants include OSB Ciderworks, Eli Fish Brewing, and Rohrbach Brewing with their historical beers. Tickets are $30, with a discount for members.
Big Ditch Brewing is set to re-release two beers on Friday, May 24. Stark White Dad Shoes IPA, featuring Riwaka and Galaxy hops, and West Coast Burner, a variant of Hayburner IPA with added grapefruit and pine bitterness, will be available on tap and in 4-pack cans at Big Ditch’s taproom.
Maifest at Spring Garden Park in East Aurora will feature a specially brewed Maibock from Buffalo Brewing Company. The event, taking place on May 25, includes a keg tapping ceremony, performances by The Caledonian Pipe Band and SGTV Edelweiss Dancers, and live music from The Polka Boys. The park opens at noon with food available starting at 1 pm. Admission is $6.
Mortalis Brewing is releasing nearly half a dozen new beers this week. On May 23, look out for Hydra: Sangria Fruited Smoothie Sour, Depths of Hydra (a collaboration with Homes Brewery), Happy Learned How To Putt IPA (a collab with Frequentem Brewing), Pomona: Banana & Peanuts Imperial Stout, and Barrel Aged Pomona. These releases will be available in various formats, including cans and bottles.
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: 5/24/2024
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.
Paul and the guys are giving away a pair of tickets to the festival!
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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.
Are you downtown for the games or sipping a Cheat Day stout? Let us know what's in your glass: 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)
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).
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)
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.
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)
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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.
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.
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)
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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.
Did you drink something better than a Hayburner this week? (Unlikely, but possible!) Tell us about it: 📞 716-486-BEER (2337)
Catch Scott’s band, Almost Seamus (formerly Almost Shameless), throughout the First Ward this March!
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Publish Date: 2/14/2026
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.
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)
WNY Brews (Scott):
The Buffalo Beer League (Brian):
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Publish Date: 2/7/2026
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Publish Date: 2/3/2026
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.
