If there was ever an argument for the necessity of Uber and Lyft in the city of Buffalo, it would be days like April 8. For, on this faithful Saturday, beer-filled event after beer-filled event await those who love local beer (if you’re reading this chances are you really like local beer). Maybe the stars have aligned perfectly, but whatever the case, we’re all benefactors of all these events somehow landing on the very same day.
From beer releases to tap takeovers to beer festivals and other beery celebrations, there is literally something going on to satiate all walks of beer fan. Suffice to say, keep your calendars clear because you’re not going to want to miss any of these events. Hell, you’re might want to be in two, three, maybe four places at once, and if you possess the ability to do such a thing, the more power to you, but please tell us the secret.
Here’s a rundown of can’t miss events:
Celebrate Spring At Second Annual Thawfest
The second annual Thawfest at Buffalo Riverworks is fast approaching and although VIP tickets are all sold out, a limited amount of General Admission tickets ($39, includes custom commemorate tasting glass) remain. The celebration of all things local, which includes breweries, wineries and distilleries, takes place on April 8 at 6:30pm. Over 50 local breweries, distilleries and vineyards will be on hand to sample from, Kurt and The Loders provide live music and you can watch the Sabres play the Florida Panthers on Riverworks’ 25 foot LED TV. Tickets are available at www.thawfest.com. Designated Driver tickets are available for $10. (More info)
Buffalo Breweries Unite At Coles
While July 16 is the true Buffalo Day, Apr. 8 might soon become a close second as some of the best beer from some of the area’s best breweries will come together as Buffalo Breweries Conquer Cole’s on Apr. 8 (11am-1am). The event will feature all of your favorites, from Big Ditch Brewing’s Hayburner and Deep Cut and Community Beer Works LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL! Session IPA and De Maas to Thin Man Bliss and Burning Money and Flying Bison’s Aviator Red and New York Beer Project’s Raspberry Kolsch, just to name a few. (More info)
Hop Heads Of The World Unite At Resurgence Brewing
Calling all hop heads – it’s time to drink…er…IPA…Your Face Off – at Resurgence on Apr. 8 (11am) as the brewery’s employees square off against each other in a specialty in-house IPA competition. Just like their March Kegs & Eggs event, Resurgence’s bar, kitchen & brew staffs will be pitted against each other and each will create their own beer in a battle off for bragging rights, only this time, everything brewed will be an IPA. Expect 8-10 IPAs to be available, plus some special casks tapping throughout the day. Vote at the brewery or on social media for your favorite beer. (More info)
Get Phresh At Souther Tier Brewing With New IPA
Southern Tier Brewing is getting Phreshie with it with the release of their latest IPA, aptly titled Phreshie (6.5% ABV). According to the brewery, Phreshie is ‘an IPA to drink today.’ The beer exhibits bright floral and citrus notes with subtle lemon aroma, backed by a moderate bitterness that’s offset by a smooth mouthfeel and sweet malty backbone. Phreshie was brewed in one small batch and lives up to its name as it will be packaged on Thursday for its Saturday release. Phreshie will be exclusively available at the Lakewood brewery in 4-pack 16oz. cans (limit 12 cans per customer). (More info)
Hit the Beach at New York Beer Project’s Margaritaville Party
Winter is over (hopefully) and the team at New York Beer Project is celebrating by throwing an indoor beach party. Yes, indoor, you read that right. The Beer Project Floor Two will be the “official” gathering spot for the Indoor Beach Party of the year, which will feature all sorts of beachy goodness, including costume contests, beach balls, craft beer margaritas at the NYBP Party Bar. There will also be live music from The Gimme Buffet Band, beginning at 8:30pm. Don’t forget your sunscreen, and maybe a towel. (More info)
Saison Day at Thin Man Brewery
Allagash Brewing will be in town come April 8 and they are coming to Thin Man to help celebrate the fourth annual Saison Day (12-8pm). A wide variety of beers including Allagash’s beers, as well as their own, will be flowing through Thin Man’s many taps. As a bonus, also in attendance will be one of Allagash’s brewers, who will be on hand to answer any beer questions attendants may have. After you grab a seat at the bar, we suggest pairing a Tokyo Burger with Thin Man’s Charleroi Saison to get you into the spirit of Saison Day (before moving on and tackling the many Allagash offerings of course). (More info)
Tentative beer list:
Draft:
– Thin Man Brett The Technique (Brett Saison / Turbid Mash (release for this beer))
– Thin Man Regicide (Hoppy Farmhouse)
– Thin Man Mini Brett Run WLP648 (Brett The Technique conditioned w/WLP648/Brett Brux)
– Thin Man Mini Brett Run TYB184 (Brett The Technique conditioned w/TYB184)
– Thin Man Mini Brett Run TYB207 (Brett The Technique conditioned w/TYB207)
– Thin Man Mini Brett Run Omega All The Bretts (Brett The Technique conditioned with Omega All The Bretts)
– Thin Man Hustler of Culture (Tart (Brett/Lacto/Pedio aged) Amber Saison)
– 42 North Sour Farmhouse (tart farmhouse ale w/orange peel and spices added, dry-hopped w/galaxy)
– Allagash Saison
– Allagash Interlude (Mixed Fermentation Barrel Aged Saison)
– Allagash Astrid (Brett Saison aged in Aquavit barrels)
– Allagash Dawnlander
– Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale (Hoppy Saison)
– Oxbow Bowie (Smoked Saison)
– Oxbow Grizacca (Azacca hopped grisette)
– Oxbow Crossfade (Hoppy Brett blended Saison)
– Blackberry Farms Fence Line (Huell Melon Hopped Saison)
– Kent Falls Double Dry Hopped Farmer’s Table (Low ABV hoppy farmhouse)
– Dieu Du Ciel Saison Du Parc
Bottle:
– Allagash FV13 (Sour Golden Ale)
– Allagash Farm To Face Peach
– Anchorage Rondy Brew (Wood Aged Fruited Brett Saison)
– Crooked Stave Colorado Wild Sage (Brett Saison w/sage)
– Crooked Stave Surette (Barrel Aged Saison)
– Crooked Stave Vielle (Dry-Hopped Barrel Aged Brett Saison)
– De La Senne/Thirez 20th Birthday Session
– Fantome Artist #2
– Fantome Dark Forest Ghost
– Fantome Dark White (Saison w/spices)
– Fantome Desert Ghost (Saison w/spices)
– Fantome Forest Ghost (Saison w/Brazilian spices)
– Fantome La Dalmatienne
– Fantome Saison
– Jester King/Live Oak Kollaborationsbier
– Jolly Pumpkin Oro De Calabaza
– Jolly Pumpkin/Anchorage Calabaza Boreal (Saison w/grapefruit peel, juice & peppercorns)
– Prairie Americana (Dry Hopped Saison)
– To/Ol Barrel Aged Snowball Saison (White Wine Barrel Aged Saison)
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.
