Big Ditch Brewing Launches New Inflation Buster
Big Ditch Brewing is looking to make things a little easier on your wallet with $4 pints of their No Punts Intended Pilsner all day, every day, at both their Buffalo and Lockport taprooms. “We know things are tight right now, and we believe great beer shouldn’t be out of reach. So we’re doing what we can to keep your tab down when you visit – without cutting corners where it matters,” the brewery said on social media. “Same quality. Same freshness. Less strain on your wallet.” This easy-drinking American pilsner is brewed with Cascade hops.
Brewer’s Invitational Returns to NYBP Beer Lodge
The seventh annual Brewer’s Invitational will take place at the NYBP Beer Lodge in Orchard Park on Feb. 28, 2026 (2-5 pm). Tickets are $50 and include a commemorative tasting glass, a $5 food voucher, and access to over 50 brews from 30 local breweries, cideries and meaderies. Designated driver tickets are also available. An exclusive beer list, as well as a list of participating breweries, will be released closer to the event. You can purchase tickets here.
New York State Craft Brewers Fest To Canalside June 13
The New York State Craft Brewers Festival: Buffalo returns to Canalside on June 13, 2026. The New York State Brewers Association and Western New York Brewers Guild produce the annual event. This year, the event will feature fresh craft beer from over 50 breweries from every corner of the state. Attendees can meet the people who make the beer they love while enjoying live music, local food trucks, artisan vendors, and more. Information regarding tickets, participating breweries and more will be released in the coming weeks. You can find more information here.
Lilly Belle Meads Taproom To Close December 20
As part of their new partnership with Rusty Nickel Brewing, Lilly Belle will close their taproom on December 20 and will move all mead production to West Seneca at Rusty Nickel. Lilly Belle owner Joe Marshall says that while they might not produce as many different meads as they once did, moving forward, he hopes to make Lilly Belle meads available in more locations. While timing is fluid, both sides hope to begin in 2026. There is no official start date or timeline right now. Lilly Belle first opened in September 2017. The meadery will host a final goodbye celebration on Saturday, 12 – 11 pm, with Christmas Carol-Oke at 7 pm.
Buffalo Brewing Extends Beer Sale Through Year’s End
Buffalo Brewing Company wants to make your holidays a little more merry and bright with a case sale through the end of the year. For $30, you can get a mixed pack case – 4 12oz. 6-pack cans of Simon Pure, Manru Lager, Schreiber’s Porter, Extra Fine Ale, Old Abbey Ale, Manru Dark Lager, Bellweiser and Half & Half. “It would be my distinct pleasure and honor to have our beers at your holiday table this year,” BBC owner John Domres Jr. said. The brewery is also bringing back magnum bottles of Bellweiser and Simon Pure for the holidays, which will be available next week.
The Blue Monk Is Coming Back, For Night Only
The Terrace at Delaware Park is bringing back iconic Elmwood Avenue watering hole The Blue Monk, Buffalo’s long-beloved Belgian beer bar, for one night only, on January 19, 2026 (6 pm), with a special event, Blue Monk Revival. Tickets are $50 and include samplings of a selection of Blue Monk’s favorite cuisine and a complimentary glass, as well as curated beer selections. There will also be live music from DJ Cutler and appearances by guest bartenders from the Blue Monk. Tickets are limited and can be purchased here. The Blue Monk closed their doors in 2016.
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).
