WNY Brews

There’s a lot going on in the local beer scene, but unfortunately, we also have some sad news. Two beloved spots in Buffalo’s craft community are closing their doors.

• Illumination Meadery Closing: Operating out of Mortalis Brewing’s Niagara Street taproom, Illumination Meadery has announced their closure due to rising costs, shifting demand, and life changes for the owners. They’ll have a final sendoff at CollaBEERation Fest on April 5, and until then, you can still grab some of their meads on tap or in bottles.
• 12 Gates Brewing Closing: After nine years, 12 Gates Brewing in Williamsville has also closed. Their announcement reflects on the incredible memories made with their loyal customers. Their sister location in Ellicottville closed last summer, making this an especially tough goodbye for the local beer scene.

On a brighter note, here’s what’s happening in the beer world:

• Brickyard Brewing’s Stained Glass Vol. 1 Returns: This 8.8% Belgian Quad, aged in rum and bourbon barrels, is now available in 375ml corked and caged bottles. Limited to just eight cases, it’s available at Brickyard’s Lewiston taproom and select retailers.
• 4 The Ward Collab from Old First Ward Breweries: Resurgence, Briarbrothers, Old First Ward, and Frequentem Brewing have teamed up for 4 The Ward, a collab supporting the Old First Ward Community Center. Visit each brewery, grab a pint, complete a punch card, and each completed card means a donation to the center. Running now through St. Patrick’s weekend!
• Hofbrauhaus March Märzen Tapping: On March 6, Hofbrauhaus is teaming up with Witches of the Moonlight for their March Märzen release. Expect live music, a parade, a dance performance, and a rich, malty Märzen on tap. 10% of designated meals go to the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.
• CollaBEERation Festival First Collab Beers Announced: The Powerhouse hosts CollaBEERation Fest on April 5, and the first round of collab beers has been revealed. Highlights include a tequila barrel-aged dark lager, a pink lemonade gose, and an Italian pilsner. More details to come.
• Buffalo Home Show Returns With Happy Hours: The Buffalo Home Show is back March 7-9 and 14-16 with over 300 exhibitors at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Each Friday night features a different happy hour with beer samplings from Labatt and food from Cabot Cheese. Use code BEER for $4 off tickets.

All of this is brought to you by Scott while Brian’s on vacation. As always, check out BuffaloBeerLeague.com for the latest news on Buffalo’s craft beer scene.

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Scott flies solo this week as Brian flies to someplace warm. Here's a quick update on the Buffalo Beer Scene this week:

• 2025 Brewer’s Invitational: Tickets are still available for this year’s event in Orchard Park. It’ll feature 50+ brews from 30 local breweries, cideries, and meaderies. $60.03 gets you a tasting glass, a $5 food voucher to NYBP, and all the sampling you can handle. For any designated drivers, tickets are available too. Always a good time!
• New York State Craft Brewers Fest: This year’s event at Canalside on June 21 promises to be packed with craft beer from over 50 breweries. Live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors will also be in full swing. Tickets, brewery details, and more info coming soon.
• Southern Tier’s Downshift N/A IPA: For those who want the taste of a classic IPA without the alcohol, Southern Tier’s got you covered. It’s now available in 6-packs of 12oz cans. Less than 0.5% ABV but still all the hop-forward flavor!
• Magic Bear x Talking Cursive Collab: Magic Bear is teaming up with Talking Cursive for a new beer release—RaspBeary Porter. It’s a dry Irish-style porter with a twist of raspberry, set for release on Feb. 28. Derek from Talking Cursive will be there to chat about the beer too.
• Wayland Brewing’s 16oz Cans: After sticking with 12oz cans, Wayland Brewing is jumping to 16oz for some of their beers. Super Deluxe IPA, Waylander German Pilsner, and the new Case Study West Coast IPA will all be available in the new size at bars and retailers soon.
• Community Beer Works Giveaway: You can win a CBW brewery jacket (XL size) and a $50 gift card from Consumer’s Beverages. All February long, CBW 4-packs, 6-packs, and 12-packs are $1 off at Consumer’s. A sweet deal if you’re a CBW fan.

For more info on these stories and always, check out BuffaloBeerLeague.com.

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Scott and Brian break down what’s happening in the WNY beer scene:

• Wildflower Meadery Grand Opening: Niagara Frontier Food Terminal’s newest taproom opens Feb. 22 with a variety of meads on tap, in cans/bottles, and a limited food menu. Open Fridays & Saturdays. More info: @wildflowermeadery.
• Brazen Brewing x WNY Beer Trail Collab: Trail Brazer Blueberry Blonde Ale releases Feb. 20 with half-price appetizers for Trail Pass holders, $0.75 wings, giveaways, and a live podcast. More info: wnybeertrail.com.
• 42 North at the Flats Beer Pairing Dinner: A 5-course beer dinner with Queen City Bistro on Feb. 18 & 20 ($75 per person). Limited seats available. Tickets: 42the-flats.square.site or call 716-815-4042.
• Brickyard Brewing Drops Wanderlust East Coast IPA: The latest evolution of their IPA series is a 7% hazy IPA brewed with Citra & Mosaic hops, available in 16oz. 4-packs & on draft. More info: @brickyardbrewingcompany.
• CBW, Thin Man & Smoldered Society Take Over Farmcraft: Tap takeover on Feb. 16 featuring exclusive brews from all three brands. Free event with a vendors market. More info: @farmcraftbrewery.
• Erie County Fair Homebrew & Cider Competition: Accepting entries until April 30. Winners will have their beer/cider brewed at Hamburg Brewing & BlackBird Cider Works and served at the fair. More info: ecfair.org.
• Big Ditch Lockport Taproom Nears Completion: Construction is done, with final touches & staff training underway. Grand opening date TBA, with four exclusive beers planned. More info: @bigditchbrewing.

For more Buffalo beer news, visit BuffaloBeerLeague.com.

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Scott & Brian break down the latest beer happenings in WNY:

• Buffalo On Tap: WNY’s largest beer festival returns Feb. 8 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Featuring Big Ditch, 42 North, Jack’s Abby, Community Beer Works & more. VIP & GA tickets available.
• Clarksburg Cider’s Cherry Lavender Release: A seasonal cider brewed with Morello cherries and lavender, available in 4-packs and online.
• Spotted Octopus Brewing Drops Two New Beers: Fruit Basket (fruited sour with lychee & pineapple) and Kuitbier (a historical Dutch three-grain beer). Both on tap now.
• Smoldered Society’s New Illusion of Safety DIPA: A double dry-hopped hazy IPA with notes of cantaloupe and melon, available at The Beer Keep, ABV, Mr. Goodbar, and more.
• Stein Fest 2025 at Hofbrauhaus Buffalo: A two-day German celebration (Feb. 7-8) with live music, food specials, and exclusive perks for Stein Club members.
• Other Half Buffalo’s New Taproom & 11th Anniversary: Grand opening on Feb. 8 with 18 taps, a full food menu, pinball, foosball, and more!

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Scott & Brian dive into this week’s beer happenings in WNY:

• Barrel Jam V at 42 North Brewing: Celebrate barrel-aged beers with live music and a ski/snowboard competition on Jan. 25. Over a dozen breweries are participating. VIP and GA tickets available.
• Wild East Tap Takeover: Brooklyn’s Wild East Brewing visits Brewed & Bottled on Jan. 24 with an exciting lineup of beers, including a cask ESB and barrel-aged barleywine.
• One-Eyed Cat Craft House: Formerly One-Eyed Cat Brewing, they’re now focusing on local beer taps, craft cocktails, and BBQ.
• Hamburg Brewing Giveaway: Win gift cards for Hamburg Brewing and Evergreen Eye Care—enter via Instagram before Jan. 28.
• NYBP Beer Dinner at Rationales: A four-course pairing dinner featuring beers like Hazy Crush IPA and Havana Scotch Ale on Jan. 30.
• Resurgence Brewing’s “Another Caucasian, Gary”: A White Russian-inspired stout paying homage to The Big Lebowski.
• Other Half Buffalo's 11th Anniversary: Kicking off Jan. 23 with three weeks of releases and events, featuring special collab beers and anniversary IPAs.

Which of these events are you most excited about? Let me know, and we’ll toast to it! 🍻

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This week, Scott & Brian bring you the latest Buffalo beer buzz, including:

• Barrel Jam V at 42 North Brewing: A barrel-aged beer fest with 15 breweries, ski/snowboard competition, and live music on Jan. 25.
• Tonawanda Winterfest Tasting: Enjoy beer, bourbon, wine, mini golf, and live music on Jan. 17 at the Golf Dome.
• Wing Flight Night at Belt Line Brewery: Pair wings and beer with a special dinner on Jan. 23.
• Resurgence Brewing Wants Your Stories: Share your special Resurgence moments to be featured by the brewery.
• Thin Man’s New Pale Ale: Destination Palm Trees, a 4.6% New Zealand-style pale ale, hits shelves soon.
• The Lock Tender Monthly Tasting Series: Launching Jan. 25, this year-long beer series kicks off with NYC brews.

Discover all these events and more at BuffaloBeerLeague.com

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Here’s a rundown of Buffalo’s New Year’s Eve celebrations:

• Hofbrauhaus Buffalo: Celebrate twice with a family-friendly German NYE at 6pm and an American NYE bash with live music, a premium buffet, and open bar starting at 9pm.
• Rusty Nickel’s Time Traveler’s Ball: Dress in your favorite era for a themed party with open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a time capsule, and more.
• Johnson’s Landing Las Vegas Night: Dress to impress for casino games, live DJ, prime rib buffet, and champagne toast at midnight.
• Resurgence Brewing NYE Party: Food, music, open bar, and the famous midnight keg lift for $90.
• NYBP Beer Lodge: Transform into Times Square with a DJ, light show, and midnight bubbly toast for $25.
• Buffalo Brewing End-of-Year Sale: Stock up on $9.99 4- and 6-packs through Dec. 31.
• Buffalo Riverworks NYE: Live music, DJ, open bar, illuminated dance floor, and more for $75.

Find out more about these events and plan your perfect NYE celebration! Cheers!

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