The Best Beer I Drank This Week

First off, huge thanks to Mark from Livingston County for calling the Buffalo Beer League Hotline and shouting out a lager from Fifth Frame Brewing as the best beer he drank this week! We love hearing from listeners, so keep those calls coming—(716) 486-BEER.

In this episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League spotlights Patio Freak, a crushable hazy pale ale from Thin Man Brewery and Other Half Brewing. Clocking in at just 5.2% ABV, this one’s lighter than your typical Other Half IPA—and that's exactly what makes it shine.

Originally sampled at the 2025 NYS Craft Beer Festival at Canalside, Patio Freak quickly became one of Brian’s festival highlights. With soft citrus notes, a creamy body, and an easy-drinking finish, it’s the kind of beer you want in your fridge all summer long.

🍺 Featured Beer:

Patio Freak – Thin Man x Other Half

• Hazy Pale Ale | 5.2% ABV
• Hopped with Mosaic, Cashmere & Citra
• Tasting notes: Lemon-lime soda, tangerine, orange, and a hint of fruity candy
• Soft, creamy mouthfeel with a smooth, lightly resinous finish
• Available in cans and draft (check availability at Other Half Buffalo)

Episode Highlights:

• Why Patio Freak’s 5.2% ABV is a breath of fresh air
• Brian reflects on tasting it at the NYS Craft Brewers Festival
• Comparison to Thin Man’s Super Freak (could this be a spinoff?)
• Hopes for more sessionable releases from Other Half
• What makes this beer perfect for warm weather sipping

📣 Share Your Pick of the Week:

Big thanks again to Mark from Livingston County!

Want to be featured on the show? Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER and tell us about the best thing you drank—beer, cider, mead, seltzer, anything goes.

📰 New at BuffaloBeerLeague.com:

• The Art of Spunding: Four local brewers (Brickyard, Buffalo Brewing, First Line, Hofbräuhaus) discuss naturally carbonating lagers.
• Craft Beer Golf Tournaments You Can’t Miss: A look at four fun, beer-filled tournaments from Buffalo to Batavia, including the WNY Brewers Guild event in August.

📲 Connect & Support:

🌐 Website: buffalobeerleague.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 Social: @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Untappd

🛒 Use our Amazon affiliate link: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

⭐ Leave a rating and review wherever you listen—it helps a ton!

Thanks for listening! Go grab a Patio Freak before it’s gone, and don’t forget to call the hotline with your own pick of the week. Cheers! 🍻

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League cracks open a new collab between Wayland Brewing and Moriarty Meats: La Bière, a crisp and flavorful French-style Pilsner brewed with Strisselspalt hops.

Brian shares tasting notes, brewing details, and his experience exploring this lesser-known style for the first time. With its light floral aroma, subtle citrus sweetness, and biscuity malt backbone, La Bière lands at a super drinkable 4.5% ABV—ideal for warm weather and beer gardens alike.

Beer Details:

🍺 La Bière – Wayland Brewing x Moriarty Meats

🇫🇷 French-style Pilsner | 4.5% ABV

🌾 Brewed with French Pilsner & Vienna malts

🌿 Hopped with Strisselspalt (mild, herbal, floral, citrusy)

📦 Available in 12oz six-packs and on draft at Wayland Brewing (Orchard Park, NY)

Flavor Highlights:

• Bready, biscuity malt with subtle bread crust
• Light citrus sweetness
• Crisp and refreshing finish
• Easy-drinking and well-suited for mowing the lawn, sitting outside, or pairing with grilled meats (especially from Moriarty Meats)

Other Mentions:

• Brian’s thoughts on 12oz cans vs. other formats
• Appreciation for Wayland’s clean, understated can art—this one featuring butcher cuts to reflect the collab
• Plans to enjoy the rest of his six-pack while working in the garden

Get Involved:

📞 Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER

Leave a message about the best thing you drank this week—beer, mead, cider, anything goes. You might be featured in a future episode!

Follow & Support:

🌐 Website: buffalobeerleague.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 Social: @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Untappd

🛒 Amazon link: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

⭐ Rate & review the podcast to help others find it!

Thanks for listening! Go grab some La Bière, and let Brian know what you think. Cheers! 🍻

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In this week’s episode, host Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League cracks open a longtime favorite: The Surge, a hazy, juicy New England-style IPA from Resurgence Brewing Company. Formerly known as Sip O IPA 2.0, The Surge has been a staple of the local beer scene for nearly a decade—and it’s back in a big way.

Brian dives into what makes this 6.5% ABV IPA so special, from its bright tropical notes of pineapple, mango, and white peach to its soft, slightly resinous body. It’s a beer that’s as flavorful as it is approachable.

This episode also highlights an incredible limited-time offer: a four-pack of The Surge for just $8.99 at participating Consumer Beverages locations. Brian shares exclusive comments from Resurgence president Jeff Ware, who describes the brewery’s intention to offer “great beer at a great price” during a time of rising costs. And good news—while this release is limited to ensure freshness, new batches are planned every few months.

Other highlights include:

• A quick reminder to follow Buffalo Beer League on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Untappd
• Brian’s thoughts on value, beer pricing, and why this promotion is such a standout
• A side tangent about shopping for beer at Wegmans and picking up a six-pack of Utica Club
• A call to action: Share your favorite beer of the week by calling the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER

Beer Featured:

🎧 The Surge – Resurgence Brewing Company

💥 New England IPA | 6.5% ABV

🍍 Notes: Juicy, hazy, citrusy, tropical fruit-forward, with a smooth and slightly resinous body

💰 Special: $8.99 four-packs available for a limited time at Consumer Beverages

Connect With Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Hotline: (716) 486-BEER

🌐 Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com

Thanks for listening—and cheers to good beer! 🍻

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In this special recap episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, host Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League breaks down his experiences at two major events: Wines in the Wild at the Buffalo Zoo and the 2025 New York State Craft Beer Festival at Canalside.

From hard-to-find meads to fresh local lagers and incredible festival highlights, Brian shares the standout pours and memorable moments from a week filled with great drinks.

🍷 Wines in the Wild (Buffalo Zoo)

• First time back since 2018 — event was sold out
• Early frustration with parking and lines, but quickly forgotten once inside
• Standout pours included:
• Pallas DIPA from Mortalis
• Peak Amplitude: Citra from Frequentem
• Admiral mead from Queen City Meadery
• Carbonated Blueberry Mead from Wildflower Meadery
• Wide drink selection for non-beer drinkers (wine, cider, cocktails, seltzers)
• Enjoyed wandering the zoo with a drink in hand—polar bears, vultures, goats, and more

🍺 New York State Craft Beer Festival (Canalside)

• Brian returns after 3 years; festival better than ever
• Amazing weather, great crowd, and even better beer
• Top pick: Eckhart Beer Co. from Brooklyn with 6 lagers (5 served on side-pull, 1 from gravity keg)
• Favorites: Czech Dark Lager, Helles, German Pils
• Other standouts:
• Strike Anywhere (Czech Pils) from Smoldered Society
• Wandering Alone (10.6% TIPA) from Dens
• Patio Freaks (Hazy Pale Ale) from Thin Man x Other Half
• Dot Undelager from Hofbräuhaus Buffalo
• Yellow Jacket Lager from First Line Brewing
• Citrus Surge from Hamburg Brewing
• Methodology #2 (Barrel-aged Wild Ale w/ Blackberry) from Eli Fish

Also, shoutout to Hofbräuhaus and Pearl Street/Riverworks for offering water stations—hydration was key on a hot, sunny day.

Other Mentions:

• Pre-show beer: Lovejoy Lager from Buffalo Olde Brewing
• A mini-rant on beer pricing and picking up a $5.99 six-pack of Utica Club at Wegmans
• Possible plans to attend Flower City Brewers Festival in Rochester on August 22

Want to be featured on the show?

Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER and share the best thing you drank this week—beer, mead, cider, event, brewery visit—anything!

Connect with Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: buffalobeerleague.com

📱 Social: @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and Untappd

Support the Show:

🛒 Use our affiliate link when shopping: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

📣 Rate & review wherever you listen to help others discover the podcast

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League shines a spotlight on Hladinka from Buffalo Brewing Company. Inspired by Czech tradition, this dark lager is a beautiful blend—two-thirds Czech dark lager, one-third Czech pilsner foam—served the proper way via LUKR side-pull tap. At 5.4% ABV, it delivers rich malt character balanced with a clean, smooth finish and just a touch of bitterness.

Got a beer you think should be featured? Email [email protected] or call (716) 486-BEER. Cheers!

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In this episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League highlights White Ale from Resurgence Brewing Company. This smooth and refreshing witbier is light on its feet but full of character, with crisp cracker-like malt, a soft mouthfeel, and a hint of spice from Saaz hops. At 4.5% ABV, it’s a perfect easy-drinker with just enough complexity to keep things interesting.

Have a local beer you think deserves the spotlight? Email [email protected] or call (716) 486-BEER. Cheers!

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This week, Brian recaps his experience at CollaBEERation 5, calling it the “Super Bowl” of Western New York craft beer events. From costumes to collaborations, the festival once again proved why it’s a can’t-miss celebration of beer, cider, and mead, with over 50 producers involved.

Brian shouts out his favorite pours of the day—including Frequentum’s Miami Vice Fruited Sour, Buffalo Olde's I Remember Mama Italian Pilsner, and Beer Kind’s Jason Mimosa Hazy IPA. VIP highlights included big names like Human Robot, Horus Aged Ales, and Suarez Family Brewery. Plus, a surprise standout: Fonzie’s Float from Bee Spit Meadery, a root beer float-inspired mead that stole the show.

Please follow Buffalo Beer League on social, leave a voicemail on the hotline (716-486-BEER), and hit us up for free stickers!

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League dives into Simulated King from Smoldered Society Beer Co. This Mountain Dew-inspired sour, brewed in collaboration with Bellwoods Brewery, is bursting with bold citrus flavors. With kiwi, orange, lime, and citrus soda in the mix, this brew delivers a tart, nostalgic, and refreshingly unique experience.

Want to share your favorite beer picks? Reach out at [email protected] or call (716) 486-BEER. Cheers!

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League is turning up the hops with 8 Hour Custom, a bold and juicy New England IPA from BriarBrothers Brewing Company. Clocking in at 7% ABV, this brew bursts with citrus and tropical flavor, delivering smooth, hazy vibes and fresh hop character in every sip. It’s a flavorful ride you won’t want to miss.

Want to share your own favorites? Hit us up at [email protected] or call (716) 486-BEER. Cheers!

More info: briarbrothersbrewing.com/beer/8-hour-custom

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On this episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League shines a spotlight on Hoodledasher, a hazy IPA from Big Ditch Brewing Company. Brewed to celebrate the opening of their new Lockport taproom, this 7% New England-style IPA is packed with Mosaic and Calypso hops, delivering vibrant flavors of honeydew, nectarine, and a hint of fruity pebbles.

Named after a group of canal boats pulled by mules along the Erie Canal, Hoodledasher pays tribute to local history while bringing bold, juicy hop character to your glass.

Got feedback or a beer you think we should feature? Reach out at [email protected] or call (716) 486-BEER. Cheers!

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