The Art of Beer Returns to Niagara Arts & Cultural Center
The 2025 Art of Beer will return to the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center on March 7. The 17th annual event will feature beer, wine and cider tastings, along with culinary pairings, live entertainment on multiple stages and more. Tickets are $40 and include a commemorative beer glass, all beer, wine and cider samplings, food from a number of Niagara restaurants, free parking, local hotel discounts and after-party access. The Art of Beer also serves as a fundraiser to support the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar to Open in January
Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar will open in Fredonia at the site of EBC West on Jan. 17. Monster Beach, a brewery, brewpub and Tiki bar with a classic movie monster theme, is the creation of Robert Turley Jr., Mandi Shepp and Christoph Shepp, who plan on creating immersive theming with bamboo walls, large sculptural installations, atmospheric lighting and classic movie monster scenes. Beers will include Surfin’ With Fred lager and Attack of the Green Tomatoes tomato herb wheat, in addition to traditional Tiki drinks and Modern Polynesian-style cocktails and a food menu full of small plates inspired by ingredients from Asia, the Caribbean islands, and Polynesian region. For more information, visit https://www.monsterbeachbrewing.com.
Buffalo Brewing Company Beer Sale Continues
Buffalo Brewing Company is continuing to blow out their beer stock this week with deals on most of their 4- and 6-pack cans for $9.99. Among the beers included in the sale are Simon Pure Beer, Old Abbey Ale, Bellweiser, 1910 Czech Pilsner, Pineapple Cream Ale, 1842 Vienna Lager, 1976 Gordziskie, Paisano Italian Pilsner, Blanc, 1856 Cran Raz wheat, 1813 Porter, 1963 Altbier and more. You can also get $5 pints of most beer, including both side pull Lukr taps (currently – Paisano, Czech Pils), Old Abbey Ale, Simon Pure, 1826 Oktoberfest, 1890 Loganberry Ale and more. This sale is available at Buffalo Brewing’s Myrtle Street taproom.
Celebrate WNY Craft at Kenan Wine & Beer Bash
The Kenan Wine & Beer Bash, formerly known as the Niagara Wine and Beer Festival, is coming to the Kenan Center Arena on Jan. 17 (6-10pm). The event will feature samplings from local craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and restaurants, along with live music from Handsome Jack and Welcome Distraction, games and more. The $10 entry fee ($15 day of) includes admission and souvenir tasting cup. Additional sampling tickets can be purchased. Non-alcoholic options will also be available, along with N/A beer and mocktails. You can purchase tickets here.
Hofbrauhaus to Tap Dunkelweizen
Hofbrauhaus will tap their Dunkelweizen on Jan. 9 (6pm) with a traditional parade and barrel tapping. The event will benefit Beyond Support Learning Network, an organization dedicated to helping children and families achieve educational success through personalized learning solutions and resources. If you mention them when dining, 10% of your check (before tax) will be donated to their cause. Dunkelweizen offers notes of roasted malt, coffee, cocoa, toffee, and dark fruit. Hofbrauhaus recommends pairing it with Brotzeitteller, Sauerbraten or Apfelstrudel mit Schokolade Eis.
Southern Tier New N/A IPA, Strawberry Shortcake Ale
Southern Tier Brewing is wading into the non-alcoholic beer sector with the release of Downshift Non-Alcoholic IPA. This beer features all of the hallmarks of a traditional American IPA, just without the alcohol. “Shift gears into Southern Tier’s first non-alcoholic IPA,” the brewery says. “Downshift has all the big, hoppy flavor of a classic American IPA, with none of the alcohol. With less than 0.5% ABV, Downshift brings the flavor and lets you bring the party.” Downshift N/A IPA is exclusively available on draft at all of Southern Tier’s taprooms.
Southern Tier are also unveiling their new Strawberry Shortcake Imperial Ale, an 8.6% dessert-style ale that features flavors of fresh strawberries, sweet whipped cream and notes of flaky shortcake and biscuit balance. The beer is available in bottles wherever great craft beer is sold and on tap at Southern Tier Brewing’s taprooms right now.
Ticket Prices to Increase for Buffalo On Tap 2025
Buffalo on Tap will return to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on Feb. 8 and ticket prices increase on Jan. 1. Participating breweries include Big Ditch, 42 North, Cigar City, Industrial Arts, Lawson’s, Jack’s Abby, Prison City, Sloop, Community Beer Works, Sweetwater and more. Find a complete list here. The event will also feature live music, craft vendors, food and more. VIP tickets ($66.30, including taxes and fees) include 4 hours of sampling, access to VIP area with exclusive beer, souvenir glass and more, and General Admission tickets ($46.80, including taxes and fees) include 3 hours of sampling and souvenir glass. Tickets can be purchased here.
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, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
