New York State Brewers Association’s 24 NYS Beers of Holiday Cheer
The New York State Brewers Association is back for the holiday season with 24 beers from 24 New York breweries for the 24 NYS Beers of Holiday Cheer, a beer advent calendar that features beers that span the entire state. The special beer box features a variety of styles, ranging from stouts, IPAs, lagers, sours and more from breweries such as Spotted Octopus Brewing, Big Ditch Brewing and more. In addition to the beer, you will receive a tasting notes guide, NYS Craft Beer sticker bundle and a Think NY, Drink NY koozie. The beer box costs $149 and can be ordered online. Boxes will ship in time to arrive before Dec. 1.
Chandler Street Breweries Closes Doors, Breweries Shutter
Community Beer Works, Thin Man Brewery and Smoldered Society, collectively known as Chandler Street Breweries, have ceased operations. All three breweries operated under one taproom at 166 Chandler Street, which has closed its doors. In a statement, the breweries say the business has failed to become financially sustainable, because, as they put it, “the world around us changed. Craft beer declined. Costs continued to rise. Consumer habits changed. Distribution became more difficult.” CBW bought Thin Man in 2024, the same year they launched their imprint brewing label, Smoldered Society. They combined forces to open Chandler Street Breweries earlier this year at the former home of Thin Man in Black Rock. Read more on the closings here.
Buffalo Brewpub Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Buffalo Brewpub, one of America’s oldest operating brewpubs having established in 1986, is celebrating their 40th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 29 (4 pm). In honor of the landmark occasion, they will be offering half price draft beers and pours of house wine, a special anniversary half priced appetizer menu and more. “We’ve become one of America’s oldest brewpubs! Come celebrate with us!” Buffalo Brewpub said. “All our patrons are welcome.” Buffalo Brewpub’s 40th anniversary celebration is free and open to the public.
Grab A Spooky Brew Or Two At These Places This Halloween
There are a number of options if you’re looking to don your best Halloween costume and grab a fresh locally brewed pint this year. Wayland Brewing’s Spooky Skelebration (8-11 pm) features a costume contest and live music from DJ Spooky Stephen, Buffalo Riverworks is hosting A Very 90s Halloween (7 pm – 12 am) with live music from Nineties By Nature BFLO and DJ Jammin’ Janice, costume contest and all proceeds benefitting Variety – the Children’s Charity of Buffalo & WNY and Hofbrauhaus’ Halloween Party (9 pm – 12 am) features a costume contest, live music from XOXO Pop Band, drink and shot specials and more. Happy Halloween!
Larkin’s Magic Bear Beer Cellar to Close Friday
After five years in Larkin, Magic Bear Beer Cellar will close its doors. Their final day of operation will be Oct. 30. Owner Craig Altabello says he decided not to renew his lease to spend more time with family. “For those of you that know me, you know that I love what I do, but even more so, I love my young family and being a husband and father,” Altabello said. “I have decided not to renew our lease and cannot thank Larkin Development Group and the Zemsky family enough for the opportunity.” The craft beer bar and bottle shop opened in December 2021.
Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the 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 brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on X (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
