This week on *WNY Brews*, Scott is flying solo to bring you the latest news in the Western New York beer scene. As always, you can find all the stories mentioned here at BuffaloBeerLeague.com, and feel free to reach out to us at Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com or Scott@WNYBrews.com.
New York Beer Project Wins Gold at Great American Beer Festival
New York Beer Project’s Hazy Crush IPA won gold in the experimental IPA category at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival, the largest beer competition in the U.S. Hazy Crush is available at NYBP’s Lockport, Victor, and Orchard Park locations. It also earned a gold medal earlier this year at the NYS Craft Brewers Competition.
Hartman’s Bourbon Dinner with Ellicottville Brewing
Rationales in Williamsville will host a special bourbon pairing dinner on Oct. 24, featuring Hartman’s Distilling and Ellicottville Brewing. The four-course meal includes bourbon and beer pairings, with dishes like butternut squash bisque and braised short ribs. The featured bourbon is a Barrel Select aged in EBC’s Chocolate Cherry Bomb barrels. One attendee will win a bottle of this limited-edition bourbon.
Celebrate Halloween at a Local Brewery
If you’re looking for Halloween plans, several local breweries have you covered. Join Magic Bear Beer Cellar on Oct. 25 for a beer and candy pairing, or stop by Southern Tier Brewing on Oct. 26 for *King-O-Ween*, featuring a live DJ, costume contest, and $1 off *Pumking* pours. Hertel Ave. will host *The Crawling Dead: Halloween Bar Crawl* the same night, with drink specials and a costume contest. Other events include parties at Spotted Octopus Brewing and Shalooby Loofer Brewing.
Mr. Goodbar’s Annual Cask Fest Returns Dec. 5
Mark your calendar for Mr. Goodbar’s annual Cask Fest on Dec. 5. Tickets are $30 and include unlimited tastings of exclusive cask beers from breweries like Flying Bison, Brickyard Brewing, and Old First Ward Brewing, along with food from Hanzlian’s sausage.
Bottles & Bites: Flavors of Fall at Statler Buffalo
On Nov. 14, *Bottles & Bites: Flavors of Fall* will take place at the Statler Buffalo, offering local food and drink pairings. Sample beer from Big Ditch, Belt Line, and Shalooby Loofer, along with meads from Bee Spit. VIP tickets are $60 and include early entry, exclusive tastings, and a $25 Santora’s gift card, while general admission is $35.
Ellicottville Brewing x Platters Chocolate Affogato Tasting Party
On Oct. 30, Ellicottville Brewing and Platter’s Chocolate Factory are releasing their *Affogato Dessert Ale* at Fattey Beer in North Tonawanda. The ale is brewed with espresso beans, vanilla, caramel, and lactose to capture the flavors of the classic Italian dessert. The event is free to attend and will feature beer and chocolate pairings, plus a prize wheel.
WNY Beer Trail 2025 Trail Pass Available Soon
The WNY Beer Trail 2025 Trail Pass goes on sale Oct. 24, offering buy one, get one deals at 75 locations across Western New York. The pass also includes discounts on brewery tours at Resurgence Brewing and a guide to pet-friendly breweries. Passes can be purchased online or at local stores.
For more stories and updates, visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com, and don’t hesitate to contact us at Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com or Scott@WNYBrews.com. Cheers!
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Publish Date: 10/25/2024
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.
