In this week’s episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League spotlights a true Western New York classic: Premium Pilsner from Resurgence Brewing Company.

This 5% Czech-style pilsner has become a staple pour around Buffalo, whether in cans, on draft, or—when you're lucky—on side-pull at places like Nickel City Cigars. Brian breaks down why this lager works in every format, what makes it different from Bridge Pils, and why he keeps going back to it.

He also shares a few recent places he’s enjoyed it (including a fantasy-football beer prize) and explains why this may be the most consistently crushable lager in Resurgence’s lineup.

Premium Pilsner – Resurgence Brewing Company

Style: Czech-Style Pilsner

ABV: 5%

Brewed with hand-selected Saaz hops and a triple-decoction mash for fuller mouthfeel and head retention. Floral, earthy, crisp, clean, and endlessly drinkable.

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Hello everyone! Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week!

Before we dive into this week’s feature, I want to thank many friends at Iron Tug Brewing for calling into the Buffalo Beer League Hotline — love hearing from you! If you want to join in on the fun, you can call 716-486-BEER and leave me a voicemail about the best beer you drank this week. You might just hear yourself on a future episode.

This week, I’m spotlighting Citra Snaps from Other Half Brewing, the latest entry in their incredible Snap Series of lagers. Brewed specially for Citra Week, this beer shows off one of craft beer’s most iconic hops in all its glory.

Citra Snaps swaps out Mosaic and Saphir for 100% Citra hops, delivering bright, soft notes of orange, lychee, and tropical fruit. It’s 4.5% ABV, crisp, and clean — the kind of beer that reminds you how refreshing a well-made lager can be.

I first had this one at my nephew’s birthday party, which doubles as our family Halloween celebration. My buddy Jesse brought some cans, and it quickly became the hit of the party. Everyone loved it — myself, Scott, Jesse, even our friend Kyle. If you’ve enjoyed other Snap Series beers like Poetry Snaps, Lime Snaps, Yuzu Snaps, or the classic Snaps, you’ll absolutely love this one.

Each new version somehow seems better than the last, and for me, Citra Snaps is the best yet — bursting with hop character, easy-drinking, and perfect for any occasion.

You can still find Citra Snaps on draft and in cans at Other Half Buffalo (inside Seneca One Tower). Grab it while you can — it was brewed in limited quantities for Citra Week!

If you try it, or if you’re brewing something cool like our friends at Iron Tug, call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER and let me know what you think.

As always:

• Follow @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and Untappd
• Visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com for news, reviews, and events
• Email me at [email protected]
• And please rate and review the podcast — five stars really help!

Thanks for listening and for the great call-ins from Iron Tug Brewing! I’ll be back next Tuesday with another great local beer right here on the WNY Brews Podcast Channel.

Cheers! 🍻

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Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week!

This week’s beer took me (and my wife) by surprise — Espresso Martini Nitro Milk Stout from Hamburg Brewing Company. Inspired by the trendy espresso martini cocktail, this 6.5% milk stout is brewed with espresso from Undergrounds Coffee and finished on nitro for that smooth, velvety body.

Hamburg describes it as “a bold nitro milk stout with intense espresso flavor — a boozy hug that’s both indulgent and classy.” I’d say they nailed it. It opens with bold roast and coffee grounds, then layers in notes of chocolate, vanilla, and cream. The nitro gives it that soft, silky finish, making it incredibly drinkable for a dark beer. It’s rich, smooth, and surprisingly approachable — even if you’re not normally a stout drinker.

This one was my standout from Hamburg’s Nitro Stout Six Mix, which also includes Nitro OMS (Oatmeal Milk Stout) and S’more Stout. The S’more was a close second, but the Espresso Martini stole the show for me. Big thanks to my friends at Hamburg Brewing and Content on Draft for having me out to celebrate the release.

You can find the Nitro Stout Six Mix at the brewery or wherever great craft beer is sold — but supplies are limited, so grab it soon.

If you’ve tried this beer, call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER and let me know what you think!

As always:

• Follow @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and Untappd
• Visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com for the latest articles and event coverage
• Email me anytime at [email protected]
• And please, rate and review the show wherever you listen — five stars go a long way!

Also, check out the newest stories on the site, including:

• Western New York Beer Trail’s 2026 Trail Pass release
• Bottles & Bites returning November 13 at Statler Buffalo
• Collaboration 6 set for April 25, 2026
• And sadly, news on the upcoming closure of Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar

Thank you so much for listening — I’ll be back next week with another great local beer right here on the WNY Brews Podcast Channel.

Cheers! 🍻

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Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with a brand-new edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week!

This week, I’m talking about a beer that completely surprised me — French Vanilla Brown Ale from Big Ditch Brewing Company. It wasn’t one I planned to order, but after a sample at the bar, I was blown away and had to dedicate this week’s episode to it.

This 5.8% brown ale delivers exactly what the name promises — a perfectly balanced blend of toasty malt, coffee, chocolate, and creamy vanilla. It opens with a subtle roast character and smooth notes of coffee and cream, with that fresh vanilla bean flavor shining brightly all the way through. It’s medium-bodied, flavorful, and just plain easy to drink.

It’s rare for a brown ale to stop me in my tracks, but this one did. It’s rich without being heavy, sweet without being cloying, and absolutely nails the “vanilla” part of the promise. If you’re heading to Big Ditch, grab a pint of French Vanilla Brown Ale (on tap now at their downtown location and possibly in Lockport as well).

If you try it, let me know what you think — call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER and tell me about it! I’d love to feature your thoughts in a future episode.

As always:

• Follow us on all socials at @BuffaloBeerLeague
• Visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com for new articles, event listings, and features
• Email me at [email protected]
• And please, rate and review the show wherever you listen — five stars really help!

Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you next week with another great local beer right here on the WNY Brews Podcast Channel.

Cheers! 🍻

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Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week! With Western New York Beer Week underway, this week’s spotlight couldn’t be more fitting: Western New York Beer Week IPA — also known at some breweries as Be Good, Do Good Brew Beer.

This 7% hazy New England IPA was a true collaboration, brewed by member breweries of the Western New York Brewers Guild. Featuring Mosaic, Nelson, Cryo Amarillo, T-45 Cascade, and El Dorado hops, it delivers layers of tropical fruit, citrus, stone fruit, and a touch of resin. I personally picked up notes of lemon-lime soda, orange creamsicle, and even star fruit — bright, juicy, and approachable, without drinking too heavy for its ABV.

You can find Western New York Beer Week IPA on tap all week long at participating breweries across the region, including Resurgence, Big Ditch, Brickyard, Spotted Octopus, Brazen, First Line, Johnson’s Landing, New York Beer Project, Belt Line, and many more. For a complete list, check out BuffaloBeerLeague.com, where I also have a full article on the beer and the importance of Beer Week, featuring insights from Rob Haig (1927 Brewhouse / WNY Brewers Guild President).

Western New York Beer Week runs now through October 5th, and alongside this collaboration beer there are tons of events happening. One highlight I’m especially looking forward to is the Tap & Craft Festival at Buffalo RiverWorks on Saturday, October 4th — a killer lineup of local favorites plus heavy hitters like Trillium, Dancing Gnome, Imprint, and more. Tickets and details at TapAndCraft.com.

As always, don’t forget:

• Follow us on all socials at @BuffaloBeerLeague
• Read the latest at BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Email me anytime at [email protected]
• And most importantly, call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER to share the best beer you drank this week. I’d love to feature your pick on the podcast!

Cheers to Beer Week, and cheers to keeping the lines of communication open through the beers we share. 🍻

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Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week! With Western New York Beer Week underway, this week’s spotlight couldn’t be more fitting: Western New York Beer Week IPA — also known at some breweries as Be Good, Do Good Brew Beer.

This 7% hazy New England IPA was a true collaboration, brewed by member breweries of the Western New York Brewers Guild. Featuring Mosaic, Nelson, Cryo Amarillo, T-45 Cascade, and El Dorado hops, it delivers layers of tropical fruit, citrus, stone fruit, and a touch of resin. I personally picked up notes of lemon-lime soda, orange creamsicle, and even star fruit — bright, juicy, and approachable, without drinking too heavy for its ABV.

You can find Western New York Beer Week IPA on tap all week long at participating breweries across the region, including Resurgence, Big Ditch, Brickyard, Spotted Octopus, Brazen, First Line, Johnson’s Landing, New York Beer Project, Belt Line, and many more. For a complete list, check out BuffaloBeerLeague.com, where I also have a full article on the beer and the importance of Beer Week, featuring insights from Rob Haig (1927 Brewhouse / WNY Brewers Guild President).

Western New York Beer Week runs now through October 5th, and alongside this collaboration beer there are tons of events happening. One highlight I’m especially looking forward to is the Tap & Craft Festival at Buffalo RiverWorks on Saturday, October 4th — a killer lineup of local favorites plus heavy hitters like Trillium, Dancing Gnome, Imprint, and more. Tickets and details at TapAndCraft.com.

The Tap & Craft Festival returns to Buffalo RiverWorks on Saturday, October 4th for its 4th annual celebration. Expect an incredible lineup of breweries from across the country and right here in Western New York, plus food, music, and one of Buffalo’s best beer-drinking backdrops.

Tickets are on sale now at TapAndCraft.com — VIP tickets are only $45 in advance ($50 day of) and get you four full hours of tasting. Don’t miss out on this showcase of world-class beer in the heart of Buffalo.

As always, don’t forget:

• Follow us on all socials at @BuffaloBeerLeague
• Read the latest at BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Email me anytime at [email protected]
• And most importantly, call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER to share the best beer you drank this week. I’d love to feature your pick on the podcast!

Cheers to Beer Week, and cheers to keeping the lines of communication open through the beers we share. 🍻

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This episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week is brought to you by The Tap and Craft Festival at Buffalo Riverworks on October 4th, presented by The Lock Tender. Ticket info is available now at BuffaloBeerLeague.com/tapandcraft.

This week, Brian dives into Open Bags #7, a massive collaborative fruited sour brewed at Stoneyard Brewing in Brockport with contributions from more than 20 breweries and meaderies across New York including (deep breath): Johnsons's Landing, Irondequoit Beer Company, Brindle Haus Brewing Co., Brickyard Brewing Company, Brazen Brewing, Eli Fish Brewing Company, Swiftwater Brewing Co., Spotted Octopus Brewing, Solitude Brewing Company, Sager Beer Works, Resurgence Brewing Company, Noble Shepherd Craft Brewery, Nine Maidens Brewing Company, Lilly Belle Meads, Lake Drum Brewing, Keuka Brewing Company, Round Table Brewery, Rusty Nickel Brewing Co., Wagner Valley Brewing Company, Buffalo Brewing Company, and Knucklehead Craft Brewing.

Packed with adjuncts like strawberry, peach, watermelon, mango, vanilla, and even lavender, this year’s version turned out to be the most approachable and best-tasting yet. Brian shares his impressions, where he tracked it down, and why this beer highlights what makes collaborations so fun.

Don’t forget—you can share the best beer you drank this week by calling the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER. And keep up with all the latest Buffalo beer news at BuffaloBeerLeague.com. You can also reach us anytime at [email protected].

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Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with a brand-new edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week! With fall arriving and Oktoberfest season in full swing, this week’s spotlight is on Wayland Brewing’s Oktoberfest Märzen (5.4%).

This beer embodies everything I love about autumn. Brewed with Pilsner and Munich malt, hopped with Mittelfrüh, and lagered for six weeks, it pours smooth, toasty, and perfectly seasonal. I enjoyed it both on side-pull at the Orchard Park taproom (in a proper dimpled mug with two fingers of foam) and from cans at home. Each pour offered caramel malt, toasted bread, and toffee notes wrapped in a crisp, crushable body — though I’ll admit, the side-pull experience was my favorite.

Wayland’s Oktoberfest is a shining example of why this season is the best in craft beer. Whether you’re sipping it fresh at the brewery or bringing home four-packs, it’s a beer worth seeking out before it disappears for the year.

As always, you can find us online at BuffaloBeerLeague.com, follow along on all socials at @BuffaloBeerLeague, and drop me a line at [email protected]. Don’t forget to call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at 716-486-BEER to share the best beer you drank this week — I’d love to feature your picks on the podcast!

Cheers, and here’s to celebrating Oktoberfest season with a perfect Märzen. 🍻

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After an unexpected month-long break, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League is back with a brand-new edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week. And this time, he’s holding onto summer a little longer with Raspberry Wheat from Community Beer Works.

At 4.9% ABV, this wheat ale brewed with raspberries is light, crisp, and bursting with ripe berry flavor. Pouring a beautiful bright red, it’s refreshing, crushable, and the perfect beer to keep summer vibes alive—even as the days start getting shorter.

Brian shares his tasting notes, why he prefers this release over CBW’s Sicilian Lemon Pils, and his long-standing love for the brewery’s adjuncted beers like Grapefruit Let’s Go Pils. He also reflects on why beers like Raspberry Wheat remind him not to rush out of the warmer months just yet.

Beer Details:

• Beer: Raspberry Wheat
• Brewery: Community Beer Works (Buffalo, NY)
• Style: Fruited Wheat Ale
• ABV: 4.9%
• Profile: Bright, berry-forward, refreshing, and highly drinkable
• Availability: 6-packs of 12oz cans at Wegmans, Tops, Consumers, and other local retailers

Episode Highlights:

• Why this beer is perfect for extending summer drinking season
• Notes on its color, aroma, and fruit character
• How it compares to other CBW fruited lagers and adjuncted releases
• Why approachable fruited beers like this make great fridge staples

📣 Call the Hotline:

Tried Raspberry Wheat—or another beer you loved recently? Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER and leave a voicemail with your pick. You might be featured on a future episode!

📲 Follow & Support:

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📧 [email protected]

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🛒 Support the show when shopping Amazon: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

⭐ Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast—5 stars makes a big difference!

Thanks for tuning in! Whether you’re soaking up the last warm days of summer or just looking for a refreshing local option, CBW Raspberry Wheat is one to try. Cheers! 🍻

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League cracks into his first featured beer from Griffon Brewing—and it’s a juicy powerhouse. Tai Cheetah is an Imperial New England IPA clocking in at 8% ABV, brewed with a blend of Centennial, Mosaic, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops.

Bursting with flavor, Tai Cheetah serves up bold notes of mandarin, white peach, apricot, and stone fruit, with a smooth body that somehow hides that high ABV a little too well. Brian breaks down the tasting experience, why this beer stands out among Griffon’s lineup, and how it pairs perfectly with backyard hangs, fridge restocks, and maybe a few questionable decisions.

Also in this episode:

• Why Tai Cheetah won’t get lost in the back of your fridge
• Thoughts on Griffin’s other beers (like their Kellerbier and Full Nelson)
• A shoutout to Magic Bear and Consumers Beverages for stocking Griffon cans
• A plea to call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline with your own beer picks: 716-486-BEER

Beer Details:

• Beer: Tai Cheetah
• Brewery: Griffon Brewing (Youngstown, NY)
• Style: Imperial / Double New England IPA
• ABV: 8%
• Flavors: Mandarin, white peach, apricot, stone fruit
• Hops: Centennial, Mosaic, El Dorado, Galaxy
• Rating: 4.02 on Untappd

Follow & Support:

📍 buffalobeerleague.com

📲 @BuffaloBeerLeague everywhere

📧 [email protected]

📞 716-486-BEER – Leave a voicemail and be on the show!

🛒 buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

New beer. New episode. Every week. Cheers! 🍻

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