If you’re looking to ring in the New Year with some of the area’s finest craft beer (and honestly, who isn’t?), then you’re in luck, because there are more than a handful of Buffalo breweries and bars ready, willing and able to oblige you.
Here we’ve compiled a list of events for you because, let’s face it, your time is better spent partying. The New Year’s Eve events at Resurgence Brewing and Hamburg Brewing have officially sold out, and the one at Big Ditch Brewing is close (at last we’ve heard).
12 Gates Brewing
7p-1a, free
New Year’s Eve: a night of enjoyment, celebration, and of course, having brews with friends and family! Spend the evening with 12 Gates and they’ll take care of the entertainment. Watch the ball drop on the big screen along with live music from Troy Chiappone and all of 12 Gates beer favorites, including their new Grave Concerns Imperial Stout and Buffalo Tripel. There will also be a complimentary beer toast at midnight.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/236664063438598/
42 North Brewing Company
12p-1a, free
42 North will be holding a NYE Celebration! The taproom opens at noon on Saturday and will stay open until 1a to celebrate the New Year. As the clock strikes midnight, they will be dropping a keg in brewhouse. There will be taproom music with EA’s own, Falling Rock, from 9pm-12:30am. We will be tapping our 2017 Bier de Brut, or Bier de Champagne for the event, which was brewed as a dry Saison with Sauvignon Blanc grape juice and Champagne yeast added halfway through fermentation. The result is a white grape leaning saison beer with complex fruit and spice flavors intertwined.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1948251812068757/
Big Ditch Brewing Company
8p-1a, $65
Where else can you get a view of the Electric Tower fireworks display and ball drop while enjoying some of Buffalo’s best craft beer? At Big Ditch Brewing’s New Year’s Eve celebration of course. For $65 (plus gratuity), you’ll get 4 drink tickets good for beer (Tiramisu Milk Stout, Tower American Barleywine, Make Me Wanna Stout coffee stout, cask of Beautiful River featuring Galaxy, Citra, and Motueka hops), wine or mixed drinks, and enjoy food stations and hand-passed appetizers. There will also be a DJ, karaoke in the Beer Hall and a ‘Simply Social’ Selfie Station with free prints for your Instagram photos. Tickets can be purchased at Bigditchnewyears.eventbrite.com. The celebration runs from 8pm – 1am. Designated Driver tickets are also available ($45+tax/gratuity) and include unlimited soda/tea/coffee.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/277028896031713/
Buffalo Riverworks
7p-12:30a, advance: $110 per couple, $65 single/at door: $130 per couple, $75 single
Brew Year’s Eve will play host to the entire family of Pearl Street beers as well as a very exclusive and special sneak peek of beer from Riverworks Brewing. There will also be a champagne toast, hats & noisemakers, food stations, dessert station, beer & wine stations, open ice skating with rental and live music Urban Renewal.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/280021745726480/
Mr. Goodbar
10p-???, free
Come chyme in the New Year with the good folks at Mr. Goodbar, who have you covered with drink specials, karaoke & live music! The night will feature $8 PBR pitchers, $1 off NY state pints, $6 double well drinks, $3 shots of Chymes, karaoke upstairs at 10p and The Spin Wires w/ Average at Best downstairs at 10p.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/205806739880919/
New York Beer Project
9p-2a, free
It’s the hottest party of the year, so Join New York Beer Project in welcoming 2017! Join them in their brand new indoor biergarten and party bar in the second floor loft overlooking the brewery and gastropub. Dance while the DJ plays the best music of 2016, all while the fresh craft beer and craft cocktails flow all night long. Admission is free, so get yourself to the hottest new Destination Brewery in all of WNY for the best party of the year!
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/349514715423606/
Rusty Nickel Brewing Company
9p-1a, Under 21 – $22.76, Over 21 – $55.93
Rusty Nickel loves to host and they’re dropping another keg (at Midnight (Brighter and better than last year). There will be music, games and fun for everyone at this optional, but encouraged, 70’s themed party. Includes: Catered Fully Food, Open Bar (NYS Craft Beer, Wine, Spirits, & Cider), a full line Non-alcoholic beverages including craft sodas, custom New Year’s mixologies and cocktails as well as a specialty toast at midnight as the keg drops and pull the poppers. 70’s music and other party tunes will be jamming all night.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/205899179845235/
Brian Campbell is a co-founder/Brand Manager of the BNBA’s enthusiast arm, Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at buffalobeerleague@aol.com, on Twitter at @buffbeerleague, on Instagram at @buffalobeerleague and on Facebook at @thebuffalobeerleague.
