Each week we round up the best and biggest Buffalo beer news, releases, and events happening in Buffalo and Western New York. Here’s what’s trending:
Want to share your Buffalo/WNY beer news with us? Email buffalobeerleague@aol.com!
1. Sad Boys Brewing to Open in Larkin Neighborhood
Sad Boys Brewing, the brainchild of four homebrewers, John O’Neill, Tyler Randle, Collin Edbauer and Andrew Anderson, will officially open in Larkin at 567 Exchange St. on Wednesday (5pm). The funky industrial space includes 1,200 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor seating, with an option to expand to 3,000 sq. ft., including a long customized bar top, plenty of parking, and a number of handcrafted beers, including Berry Sad Hazy IPA, Papa’s Pils, IRA Irish Red, King of the Kolsch, Therapy Session IPA, Kettle My Korn Pilsner, Black and Tans Strong Pale Ale and Tropical Teardrop Seltzer. They will be open Wednesday – Friday (5 – 11pm) and Saturday – Sunday (12 – 11pm).
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2. Beer List for CollaBEERation Festival 3.0 Announced
The official beer list has been announced for CollaBEERation Fest 3.0, a festival made for beer geeks and brewed by beer geeks. Among the over 40 small batch beers, ciders and meads available this year as Big Ditch’s StraightEdge Turtle (N/A pasty brew with caramel, chocolate and pecan), BriarBrothers Brewing Always Next Year… (Barleywine aged in Black Button Distilling bourbon barrels), Thin Man You Had Me At Aloha IPA (Tiki-inspired Hazy IPA with pineapple, coconut, and vanilla), One-Eyed Cat Brewing IPAnnie (Bourbon Barrel Conditioned IPA), Lafayette Brewing – Big Brunch Energy Fruited Lager (lager with grilled peaches), and more. CollaBeeration 3.0 will take place March 25 (1-5pm) at the Powerhouse (140 Lee St, Buffalo). There are limited general admission tickets still available.
3. Resurgence Brewing Offers FU Awesome Brewery Tours
You can now tour Resurgence Brewing Company’s Chicago Street facility in style with their new FU Awesome Brewery Tours. Starting March 25, these tours will take place each Saturday at 5pm. You can learn about the history of the brewery, get up close and personal with the brewing equipment, learn fun facts, enjoy demonstrations, and sample beer along the way. Tours last 30-40 minutes and you will receive 3 beer samples, as well as a token for a free pint for after the tour. The tour is $20 and you can purchase tickets directly on Resurgence’s website or at the bar in the taproom.
4. Local Beers Shine Bright at AAF Buffalo’s ADDYs Awards
A number of local beers took center stage at the American Advertising Federation of Buffalo’s ADDYs Awards. Community Beer Works x Fanfare Kansas City at Buffalo Game Day Ale (Week 6) grabbed a silver (Visual – Illustration – Single), as did CBW’s Extra Large Chocolate Malted Milk Stout. Stronghold Studios picked up gold for their work with Brickyard Brewing (Visual – Illustration – Series). CBW x Fanfare Game Day Series also scored gold for Green Bay at Buffalo (Week 8) in Sales Promotion –Packaging – Single Unit, CBW’s Spruce Almighty grabbed silver and CBW’s Summer Blockbuster IPA won gold in the same category, Tom Cavanagh Design won silver in Sales Promotion – Packaging – Campaign for their work on Resurgence Brewing x Buffalo News Two Stories Amber Lager. The Mr. Smith Agency was also recognized for their work with Twin Petrels Seltzer Company (Integrated Brand Identity Campaign).
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5. Gene McCarthy’s to Tap Beer in Honor of Edward M. Cotter Conservancy
On March 24, a day that has been declared Edward M Cotter Day in Buffalo, Gene McCarthy’s / Old First Ward Brewing will tap their special edition Cotter Red Ale (2pm). $1 from every Cotter Red sold will be donated to the Edward M. Cotter Conservancy, an organization comprised of 100% volunteers who all share a love for the fireboat of the same name. For more information, visit emcotterconservancy.org.
6. 2023 NYS Craft Beer Competition Awards Show Watch Parties
As the winners of the 2023 NYS Craft Beer Competition are announced on March 24, you can root on your favorite local breweries live with a fresh pint in hand at watch parties at Community Beer Works and Lafayette Brewing Company. If you want to watch from home, you can tune-in to the New York State Craft Beer YouTube channel at 7pm to watch the awards ceremony live.
7. 42 North Celebrates Maple Season With Tree Tap Maple Fest
On March 25 (12-4pm), 42 North Brewing is teaming up with the Erie County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department for Tree Tap Maple Fest, which includes guided tours, demonstrations of the maple production process and much more. The festival will also include maple-inspired food from Fat Bob’s BBQ, desserts by Blue Eyed Baker, kettle corn, live music by Off the Grid, and the special tapping of 42 North’s limited-edition Maple Porter. The maple porter was produced with maple syrup from the Erie County forest. This will take place at the Erie County Forestry Bureau’s “Sugar Shack” in East Concord.
