Happy Dyngus Day!
Since this is a regional podcast, I asume you're all aware of Dyngus Day. It's the day after Easter, and Dyngus Day is a Polish tradition culminating in a post-lenton festival and parade.
That's at least what it looks like in Buffalo: The Official Dyngus Day Capital of the World. To go back and figure out the history of any holiday, religious or otherwise, gets complicated and difficult. What concerns me more is the celebration of Polish culture. Being Polish and Irish guarantees some spring-time activities and in Buffalo that translates to beer. I've tried to stray away from the Killians, Guiness, and colored German or Canadian lagers in favor of local examples of similar beers.
Aviator Red is my go-to beer while at Schwabls and Hamburg's Irish Red was a nice change, which hit me more bitter than other examples.
In this episode, Clay and I try a Pivo Grodziske from Jopen in Haarlem, Netherlands. It's an historic style from Grodzisk, Poland featuring a 100% smoked-wheat grain bill. The people of Grodzisk, and the former workers of the brewery there, hold a competition each year to see which homebrewer can make the best representation of what this beer used to be.
A Pivo Grodziske in modern times is also known as a Gratzer, taking it's name from the same town but while under Prussian or German rule, although this bottle claims to be based on an older recipe and differs from a Grazer in it's yeast strain.
Sometimes called “Polish Champagne” because of it's carbonation, I found this to be a balanced and understated beer. Samual Adams put out a Gratzer last year as part of their Long Shot 6-pack that packed a significant increase in smoked flavor which overpowered the beer. This example of a Grodziske, in contrast to the Sam Adams offering, is easily drinkable and at 4% would be a great addition to a summer cookout.
Making a Gratzer/Grodziske
One of the members of Das Hausbrauers, Bill Serowski, has been making Gratzers regularly for the past year or so. His beer was featured on episode 59 of Dr. Homebrew, where the panel members admitted a lack of experience with the style. Who can blame them when someone sends them a beer based on a style that is regional to a small Polish town and, of which, the last commercial example has been out of production since 1993?
Bill, a really knowledgeable brewer and BJCP judge, has been working on his recipe and techniques to make a Gratzer he can be proud of.
After you listen, please rate and review us on iTunes and get a hold of us at Scott@WNYBrews.com Clay@WNYBrews.com or on twitter @WNYBrews
Publish Date: 4/2/2016
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.
