Bills-Themed Beers Returns Ahead of Start of Preseason 

Just in time for the start of the Buffalo Bills’ preseason, a number of Bills-themed beers have returned to brewery and store shelves across Western New York. In addition to staples such as Thin Man Brewery’s Pills Mafia, Mafia Light and Mafia Light Lime and Community Beer Works Let’s Go Pils, Big Ditch Brewing’s No Punts Intended, Resurgence Brewing Circle the Wagons Pilsner and IPA (available this year in special 16oz. can 8-packs), Ellicottville Brewing The Charge American Lager (in new Tailgate Edition cans), Brickyard Brewing Just One Before I Die IPA, to name a few, are available now. Look for these beers wherever great craft beer is sold.

42 North Brewing Launches Special Borderland Can

For the seventh consecutive year, 42 North has launched a special Borderland IPA can in honor of the Borderland Music & Arts Festival. The new limited edition cans feature artwork paying tribute to the annual festival. For the fifth straight year, the festival has teamed up with local artist Ryan Besch to create the unique can art. These cans are available at 42 North’s taprooms, as well as wherever great craft beer is sold. You can scan the QR code on the can to enter to win two weekend VIP passes to Borderland, which takes place Sept. 18-20 at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora. You can also enter to win at Borderlandfestival.com/ipa.

Bee Spit Meadery, First Line Brewing Team On New Collab

Holland’s Bee Spit Meadery and Orchard Park’s First Line Brewery have teamed up on a new collab, Born To Bee Wild Orange Creamsicle & Custard Braggot. A braggot is an ancient hybrid alcoholic drink made by combining honey and malted grains and Born To Bee Wild blends orange citrus, vanilla custard, malt, and Bee Spit’s signature honey. “Remember racing outside when you heard the ice cream truck coming down the street? Before you even reached the curb, you already knew what you were ordering. That first bite of an Orange Creamsicle. Bright citrus. Creamy vanilla. Pure summer. We asked ourselves one question…What if that feeling could be poured into a glass?” Bee Spit said. Born To Bee Wild is available on draft and in 16oz. cans at both Bee Spit and First Line.

The Lock Tender To Celebrate Second Anniversary

The Lock Tender is celebrating their second anniversary, as well as the birthday of late Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, on August 8. For the special occasion, the Lockprot beer bar is hosting a 30-brand craft beverage tasting (1 – 6:30 p.m.). A $30 ticket includes 12 four-ounce samples. The Tattoo Bus will also be on site (1-10 pm) and live music will be provided by The Little Mountain Band Acoustic Duo playing Dead favorites (6 pm). “Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re stopping by for the first time, we’d love to celebrate with you,” the Lock Tender said. Tickets for the event are available now at www.thelocktender.com/events.

Southern Tier Brewing Is Turning 23 Years Old

Southern Tier Brewing is turning the ripe old age of 23 and are marking the feat with a party and celebration down in Lakewood at The Empty Pint on August 8 (2 pm). The special party will feature live music from Derek Davis & Angel Busch and Hello City (Barenaked Ladies Tribute), limited-edition throwback Gemini anniversary tees (while supplies last), anniversary cupcakes and more. “Join us on Saturday, August 8 as we celebrate 23 years of great beer, great music, and even better memories,” the brewery said. “Raise a pint with us and celebrate 23 years of Southern Tier!” The event is free and open to the public.

Hofbrauhaus Monthly Barrel Tapping With Brunnerbock

On Thursday, August 6, Hofbrauhaus will debut Brunnerbock during their August barrel tapping. The festivities will get underway at 6 pm with a traditional parade through the beer hall, capped off by the tapping of a barrel of Brunnerbock. Brewed in honor of Braumeister Jeff’s newest edition, this Amber Lager is big and bold at 6.9% with floral hop and dark raisin aromas and notes of bread crust, caramel and toffee. There will be live music following the tapping and everyone in attendance will receive a free pour of the beer. Reservations can be made via Resy or www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com.

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).