Buffalo Beer Buzz

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We are back together on a Friday evening to kick off the weekend and toast to 9-to-5 day! Brian is officially back from a whirlwind family trip to Disney World—nursing sore joints like any respectable 45-year-old who attempted rope-dropping across four parks—and cracking open his last can of Wayland Brewing’s Split Rail Lager from the Borderland Festival stash. Scott is pouring his own homebrewed Festbier/Oktoberfest, hitting its absolute sweet spot at eight to nine weeks in the keg just in time for week three of Bills football. Between sorting out game day beer plans, discussing family connections at Borderland, and sending love and support to the team at the Mayhew Drive Consumers Beverages in Hamburg following their recent fire, there is a ton of Western New York craft beer news to dig into. Catch the full video edition, glassware views, and screen shares on the Buffalo Beer Buzz Playlist on YouTube. Here is what is happening across the local beer scene:

• WNY Beer Week Kicks Off (Sept 25 – Oct 4): Presented by the Western New York Brewers Guild, the week-long celebration highlights the importance of drinking local across the region. The festivities are headlined by Harvest Fest at Rusty Nickel Brewing on October 3rd, featuring seasonal pours from 15 area breweries alongside live music and food.
• Flying Bison's Aviator Red Returns to Hamburg Brewing: Aviator Red, the legendary flagship amber ale first brewed by Tim Herzog and Larry Red Mrozek back in May 2000, returns to draft for Hamburg Brewing's 13th anniversary party on Saturday, October 3rd. Admission is just $10 and includes live sets from Give Me Buffett, Alley Kat, and Mayday Buffalo.
• Oktoberfest & Fall Celebrations Roll On: Chandler Street Brewing hosts their Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 26th, complete with 1-liter steins, a bratwurst eating contest, and a Bills game day watch package. Southern Tier is running Pumking Fest across both Lakewood and Buffalo locations with pumpkin donuts and specialty variants. Meanwhile, Wayland Brewing is hosting Oktoberfest and Pugtoberfest with stein hoisting and raffles benefiting Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue.
• Other Half & Parish Brewing Collabs Return: A massive trio of hazy collaborations has landed at Other Half’s Buffalo taproom, including TDH Space Ghost Imperial IPA, Ghost in the Code, and Beignets with Cream, available on draft and in 4-packs to go.
• Wayland Brewing Releases Spectra: Wayland drops an extra hazy, extra pale 7% IPA packed with hand-selected Citra, Strata, and citrus-forward Columbus hops from Yakima Chief.
• Support for Consumers Beverages Hamburg: Following an early morning fire at the Mayhew Drive store, the location is temporarily closed while repairs get underway. Be sure to show love to their nearby locations in Orchard Park and Lackawanna while the Hamburg team works on reopening.

Connect with us:

• Web: Buffalo.Beer
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337)
• Shopping Portal: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews

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It is a solo flight for Scott on this midweek edition as we shuffle the recording schedule to make way for Thursday night Bills football. Coming to you live from the home studio in front of the Bills glassware, Scott is pouring his own homebrewed Festbier/Oktoberfest—a malt-forward lager that attenuated cleanly with just enough noble hop crispness to cut through a big batch of smoked and flash-fried wings seasoned up with Q42 rub. Between setting fantasy lineups with Josh Allen, looking ahead to half-way to St. Patrick's Day gigs, and debating whether running a four-lap, four-beer race is a great idea or just a surefire ticket to an immediate afternoon nap, there is an absolute avalanche of autumn beer releases and Oktoberfest bashes hitting Western New York. Catch the full video edition, live pour, and screen shares on the Buffalo Beer Buzz Playlist on YouTube. Here is what is on tap across the 716:

• Oktoberfest Blowouts Across WNY: Autumn celebrations are in full swing this weekend. Eli Fish Brewing in Batavia hosts their party on Saturday with steinholding, cornhole, Hammerschlagen, and traditional German tunes. Belt Line is tapping their Märzen alongside a full spread of German food specials, while Mystic Hills kicks things off with an 11 AM fest featuring a ceremonial 1 PM keg tapping, stein hoisting heats, and food from Under Fire Pizza. Gowanda Brewing joins in at 4 PM with polka favorites from Hocus Polkas, hair braiding, and commemorative glassware, while Gene McCarthy's hosts their annual Harvest March and O-Fest celebration in the Old First Ward with a neighborhood parade, a blessing of the beer, and live music.
• Fall & Oktoberfest Beers Arrive on Tap and Shelves: New seasonal brews are landing all across town. New York Beer Project has tapped a draft-only Coffee Cake Stout brewed with brown sugar, spice, and notes of cinnamon. Eli Fish drops cans of their 5.6% Amber Oktoberfest, a 5.8% Blonde Festbier, and a traditional 5.3% Dark Rye Roggenbier. Hamburg Brewing introduces their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cider, while BriarBrothers releases their "Octobrofest" Märzen collab with Autark, Dandy Dunkel, and Trinity Festbier. Meanwhile, Southern Tier brings a brand-new Nitro version of their Imperial Warlock Pumpkin Stout, and BlackBird Cider Works drops their Ghost Lantern variety pack featuring original, Hawaiian, and hot honey mango variants.
• Local Hollow Brewing Celebrates Grand Opening: The newly rebranded space at 10737 Main Street in Clarence Hollow (formerly Schalubilufer) marks its official grand opening starting Thursday with a ribbon cutting, a Bills watch party, family activities on Friday with the Clarence Youth Bureau, and a full Saturday celebration featuring food trucks, local wine and spirits, and live tunes.
• The Bottle Rocket Beer Mile Returns: Bottle Rocket Beer Reserve's annual Beer Mile returns on Saturday, October 11th. The format is simple: drink four Genny Cream Ales and run four laps around their quarter-mile course as fast as you can. Space is capped at 90 runners across three heats, with registration available through RunSignUp and winners taking home fresh running gear from Brooks.

Connect with us:

• Web: Buffalo.Beer
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337)
• Shopping Portal: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews

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See the video on Youtube

Thursday slipped right past us, but we could not let the week wrap up without diving into the latest Western New York beer news. Scott is bringing along an early sample of his homebrewed Festbier. It has been lagering for four weeks and is still working on its carbonation, but the countdown is officially on to have it in peak drinking shape for the Bills' kickoff. On the other side of the screen, Brian is staying classic with a fresh pour of Resurgence Brewing’s Flats & Drums Pale Ale. Between planning for the upcoming Bills opener, dodging accidental spoilers for next week's Best Beer I Drank This Week, and mapping out some Friday evening hangs out in Gowanda, we have a stacked lineup of local happenings to share. Here is what is on tap across the 716:

• Spotted Octopus Sets Sights on Seneca Street: Big moves are happening for Spotted Octopus Brewing as they prepare to open their new Buffalo home at 500 Seneca Street, the former Dobutsu space. The setup boasts room for roughly 120 people inside, an initial eight-tap bar with plans to expand to sixteen, and food provided by Flow Food Buffalo—complete with their famous Rochester-style garbage plates. Look for them to open their doors by late September.
• Habitat for Humanity BOGO Beer Tour Cards: If you want to drink great local craft while supporting an incredible cause, Habitat for Humanity’s 2026 Craft Beer Tour Cards are currently buy-one-get-one-free. For thirty bucks, you get a card good for a free drink at twenty-eight participating local breweries, cideries, and distilleries, with all proceeds going to help Habitat Buffalo build homes for families in need. Purchase Link
• The Arc of Erie County Ale Trail: Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 24th, as The Arc of Erie County hosts its 6th annual Ale Trail fundraiser along the wooded walking trails at 30 Wilson Road in Williamsville. From 4:30 to 9:00 PM, guests can stroll through the grounds sampling local craft beverages from over a dozen Western New York makers alongside food trucks, live music, and artisan vendors. Ticket Link
• The Great Pumpkin Chug Returns to Resurgence: If drinking beer directly out of a hollowed-out gourd is on your fall bucket list, Resurgence Brewing has you covered on Saturday, September 26th. Their annual Oktoberfest celebration features the return of the Pumpkin Chug alongside stein hoisting competitions, pumpkin smashing, seasonal food, and live tunes from the Polka Boys. Reserve a Pumpkin
• Tap & Craft Festival Heading to RiverWorks: Buffalo RiverWorks will host the Tap & Craft Festival on Friday, October 23rd, featuring pours from over thirty breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Ticket tiers range from general admission to the VIP experience with extra festival perks, and in-person tickets can be grabbed fee-free over at The Lock Tender in Lockport. Ticket Link

Connect with us:

• Web: Buffalo.Beer
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337)
• Shopping: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews

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This and every week you can find the Buffalo Beer Buzz at Buffalobeerleague.com. Find out about what's happening this weekend and further in the Buffalo beer scene.

This week stories are The National Buffalo Wing Festival, Hop Harvest Festival, Seneca Sips Beer & Wine Festival, EBC Stuff Your Trunk Sale, Rusty Nickel & The Ridge Giveaways, Hofbrauhaus Barrel Tapping

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It’s an early Wednesday recording to celebrate Brian’s birthday eve! Scott and Brian are back together on screen breaking down a massive late-summer lineup across Western New York, from Bills-themed stadium crushers to milestone brewery anniversaries and Rochester festival takeovers.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: Catch the full video edition on YouTube to see Brian’s proper NYBP glassware and Scott’s fresh homebrew pour: Buffalo Beer Buzz Playlist

IN THIS EPISODE:

• This Week's Pours:
• Scott: Bleeding Heart Fruited Gose (Cranberry & Plum) from Rhode Island's Tilted Barn Brewery, plus a fresh pour of his homebrewed Mosaic/Citra/Sabro NEIPA.
• Brian: Hazy Crush IPA from New York Beer Project.
• First Line Brewing 6th Anniversary (Aug 22): Orchard Park celebrates 6 years this Saturday! Enjoy live music, drink specials, and wings on-site from Wingnutz.
• Local Hollow Brewing Opens: The newly rebranded space in Clarence Hollow (formerly Chalupny) kicks off its soft opening this week under the leadership of Hillary Dollinger.
• Mystic Hills 3rd Anniversary (Sept 5): A massive celebration featuring Ghost-inspired releases, including Hand of Doom Bourbon Barrel-Aged Black IPA, Year Zero Pale Ale, and Kaisarion Berliner Weisse, alongside Under Fire Pizza and psychic readings from Psychic Lynn.
• Flower City Brewers Fest (Aug 21): Buffalo craft invades the Rochester Public Market! Over a dozen 716 breweries head down the 90 for Rohrbach's annual festival ($55 GA).
• Hofbräuhaus Booze Cruises: Setting sail with German lagers on the water! Catch the August 20th cruise aboard the Spirit of Buffalo ($54) or the September 25th Oktoberfest cruise on the Harbor Queen with the Hops & Schnapps German Band ($44).
• Bills Beer Season Expands: More Buffalo-themed beers hit taps and shelves for preseason, including NYBP’s Buffalo Billsner (German/Italian hybrid pilsner), EBC’s Buffalo Fan Zone IPA, Griffin Brewing’s Buffalo Proud Light Lager, and Resurgence’s Buff IPA.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Full Articles & Updates: Check out the upcoming National Buffalo Wing Festival preview and festival ticket links at BuffaloBeerLeague.com.
• Call the BBL Hotline: Got a favorite pour you want featured on The Best Beer I Drank This Week? Call 716-486-BEER (2337)!
• Shop & Support: Use our direct portal at buffalobeerleague.com/amazon to support the show at zero extra cost.
• Rate the Show: Please take 30 seconds to drop us a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Connect with us:

• Web: Buffalo.Beer
• Instagram/Threads: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews
• X (Twitter): @BuffBeerLeague

#BuffaloBeer #WNYBeer #BillsMafia #FirstLineBrewing #MysticHills #HofbrauhausBuffalo #CraftBeer #BuffaloNY

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Summer is in full swing, and football season is officially in the air! With Brian out to dinner, Scott (WNY Brews) takes the podcast outside for a sunny solo session on the porch to break down the latest Bills-themed releases, a massive 12-fruit mega-collab, and a new taproom heading to West Seneca.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: Catch the video version to check out Scott’s Freddie Mercury mustache and the 19oz monster can pour: Buffalo Beer Buzz Playlist

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Scott’s Solo Pour: Sipping on Rusty Rail Brewing’s Double Fog Monster Hazy Double IPA (9.5% ABV) picked up during a trip to Pennsylvania.
• Football Beer Season Arrives:
• Ellicottville Brewing Co. re-launches The Charge (4.8% ABV American Lager) with a fresh, tailgate-inspired redesign for Bills Training Camp.
• Resurgence Brewing kicks off the season with the return of Circle the Wagons IPA, CTW Pilsner, and Buff IPA.
• Ultra-Light Lime: Thin Man Brewery drops Mafia Light Lime—a crushable summer lager coming in at just 3.5% ABV and 80 calories.
• Open Bags 8 Drops: The legendary New York State mega-collab returns! Brewed at Stoneyard with 18 participating breweries (including Eli Fish, Brazen, and Buffalo Brewing), this year's batch features a wild blend of 12 fruits, marshmallow, and vanilla.
• Autumn Creep: Southern Tier teams up with Bold Rock for PumQueen—an 8.6% Imperial Pumpkin Cider. (Catch Scott’s Queen tribute band, Queen City, live at Southern Tier Lakewood on August 28th!)
• New Taproom Alert: Armstrong’s Beer Company files plans to open a family-friendly taproom and eatery at the former Country Peddler’s building in West Seneca (1340 Orchard Park Rd).

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Articles & Guides: Read "Why Does Lager Taste Better in the Summer?" and explore the full Open Bags 8 brewery list at BuffaloBeerLeague.com.
• Call the Hotline: Got a beer review or recommendation? Leave a voicemail for the show at 716-486-BEER (2337)!
• HopUp Network: Find more independent craft beer shows at HoppedUpNetwork.com.
• Rate the Show: Please take 30 seconds to drop us a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Connect with us:

• Web: Buffalo.Beer
• Instagram/Threads: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews
• X (Twitter): @BuffBeerLeague

#BuffaloBeer #WNYBeer #BillsMafia #ThinManBrewing #SouthernTier #OpenBags8 #CraftBeer #BuffaloNY

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Martin House Brews, 10 Years of Buffalo Brewing, and Halfway to Cask Fest

Scott is flying solo for a Friday morning edition after a busy Thursday night retrieving kids! Fresh off a stint in the Catskills, he's breaking down a massive weekend for the Buffalo beer scene featuring decades of local history, historic estate pours, and a chance to score rare 12-packs.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: Catch the video edition on YouTube for full-screen breakdown of all the latest event details:

Buffalo Beer Buzz Playlist

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Bricks & Brews at Martin House (July 24): Happening tonight, 6–9 PM! Enjoy 25+ local breweries, food trucks, and live music on the grounds of the historic Frank Lloyd Wright estate ($75 GA / $60 Members).
• Halfway to Cask Fest (July 24): Mr. Goodbar is tapping four special local casks tonight, including Flying Bison Rusty Chain with Coconut, Brickyard Just One Before I Die, Bright Smith Kölsch, and OFW German Pilsner.
• Buffalo Brewing Turns 10 (July 25): Celebrating a full decade on Myrtle Ave! Free party from 12–8 PM with live music. Plus, buy any Simon product for a lottery ticket to purchase one of a limited run of 16oz bottle 12-packs.
• Beer Justice 4th Anniversary (Aug 1): Head out to Arcade for a full-day party with live blues from Muddy Rivers (3–6 PM) and Taven (7–9 PM) in the beer garden.
• The Dude's Homebrew Fest (Aug 9): Returning to Resurgence to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. $30 donation gets you a tasting glass and a vote for the next commercial batch—just like Scott's past winner, Another Caucasian Gary!

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Event Details: Find links for Martin House tickets and anniversary parties at BuffaloBeerLeague.com.
• Shop & Support: Use our direct portal at buffalobeerleague.com/amazon to support the show at zero extra cost.
• Rate the Show: Please take 30 seconds to drop a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Connect with us:

• Web: Buffalo.Beer
• Phone: 716-486-BEER (2337)
• Instagram/Threads: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews

#BuffaloBeer #WNYBeer #MartinHouse #BuffaloBrewingCo #CaskFest #CraftBeer #BuffaloNY

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