In the grand theater of the cosmos, few events captivate and awe humanity as much as a total solar eclipse. This celestial ballet, where the moon perfectly aligns with the sun, casting a shadow upon the Earth, has mesmerized civilizations for millennia. And that’s exactly what will come to pass Monday afternoon here in Western New York.
At its core, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon, in its orbit around the Earth, passes directly between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on our planet. Temperatures may drop, birds may cease their chirping, and a palpable sense of anticipation fills the air. Planets and stars become visible in the daytime sky, and the world is bathed in an eerie, otherworldly glow.
According to NASA, these are the eclipse time estimates:
• Partial eclipse begins: 2:04 p.m.
• Totality begins: 3:18 p.m.
• Maximum totality: 3:20 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:22 p.m.
• Partial eclipse ends: 4:32 p.m.
Here’s where to grab an eclipse themed beer to imbibe while the moon and the sun cast Western New York in total darkness.
- 42 North Brewing – Nocturnus Dark Lager (Available: Cans, draft)
- Beer Justice Brewing – Totality Black IPA (Available: Draft)
- Belt Line Brewery – Eclipsed By Nelson New England IPA (Available: Draft)
- Big Ditch Brewing – Western New York Eclipse Black IPA (Available: Cans, draft)
- Big Inlet Brewing – You’ll Burn Your Eyes Out Kid (Available: Draft)
- Brazen Brewing – Umbra Kolsch (Available: Draft)
- BriarBrothers Brewing – Punch Bowl: Eclipse Bliss (fruited sour) (Available: Draft)
- Brickyard Brewing – Solar Bronco IPA (Available: Cans, draft)
- Butera’s Village Brew House – Nooner Eclipse IPA (Available: Draft)
- Eli Fish Brewing – Deep Space Norm! Black Kolsch (Available: Cans, draft)
- First Line Brewing – First Contact Lager (Available: Cans, draft)
- Gowanda Brewing at The Wicked Glen – Throwing Shade Lager (Available: Draft)
- Griffon Brewing – Dark Side of The Moon Pie Oatmeal Stout (Available: Draft)
- Lilly Belle Meads – Totality (mead with black currant, cherries, tangerine and Eclipse hops) (Available: Cans, draft)
- Mystic Hills Brewing – Black Hole Sun Ale Blackened Pale Ale (Available: Cans)
- New York Beer Project – TSE Black IPA (Available: Draft, cans)
- OSB Ciderworks – Total Eclipse of the Tart (Available: Draft)
- Pearl Street Grill & Brewery – Luna Sol Black IPL (Available: Draft)
- Pod City Beer Labs – Starless French-Belgian Style Saison (Available: Cans, draft)
- Resurgence Brewing – In the Path of Totality 3:18 p.m. (Available: Cans, draft)
- Rusty Nickel Brewing – Are You Afraid of the Dark German-Style Dark Lager (Available: Draft)
- Sad Boys Brewing – Obsidian Eclipse Black IPA (Available: Draft)
- Santora’s 1927 Brew House – Dusk At 3:18 Imperial Stout (Available: Draft)
- Shalooby Loofer Brewing – Eclipse Mix (Seriously Black Stout + Cauldron Cream Ale) (Available: Draft)
- Spotted Octopus Brewing – Under the Midnight Sun Black IPA (Available: Draft)
- Steelbound Brewery & Distillery – Eclipse Black Lager (Available: Cans)
- Wandering Gypsy Brewing – Black Lager (Available: Draft)
- Windy Brew – Luminated Lotus IPA (Available: Cans, draft)
- Woodcock Brothers Brewing – Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, aged in 2018 Leonard Oakes Meritage wine barrels (Available: Bottles)
This list will be updated as necessary.
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 Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).