Habitat for Humanity 2026 Craft Brew Tour Cards Now BOGO
Habitat for Humanity’s Craft Brew Tour Cards are now buy–one–get–one–free. For $30, you’ll get a free drink at 28 Western New York breweries, distilleries and bars, including Buffalo Olde Brewery, Resurgence, Hamburg Brewing, 42 North, Mystic Hills, Brazen Brewing, The Ridge West Seneca, Southern Tier, Butera’s, Pod City Beer Labs, Big Ditch, Hofbräuhaus, Aurora Brew Works, Steelbound, Ellicottville Brewing, Chandler Street Breweries and more. All proceeds will go to benefit Habitat Buffalo to help build a home for a family in need. Craft Brew Tour Cards can be redeemed through Dec. 31, 2026. You can purchase online here and at both Habitat Buffalo ReStore locations.
The Arc of Erie County Ale Trail Returns for 2026
The 6th annual Arc Erie County Ale Trail, a fundraising event benefitting The Arc Erie County New York, a local non-profit that serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will take place on Sept. 24 (4:30 pm) at 30 Wilson Road in Williamsville. The Ale Trail will feature local beer, wine, cider and craft spirits spread out along The Arc Erie County’s wooded walking trail in Williamsville from Community Beer Works, Smoldered Society, Big Ditch, Thin Man, Mystic Hills, Ellicottville Brewing, Eli Fish, Hamburg Brewing, Bee Spit Meadery, Pearl Street, New York Beer Project and more. There will also be food trucks, live music, vendors, cigars and more. You can purchase tickets here for $40.
Drink Beer Out of a Pumpkin at Resurgence Brewing
Resurgence Brewing is throwing its annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 26 (12-6 pm), headlined by the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Chug (3 pm). After you reserve your pumpkin by clicking here (admission is $8 or $25 if you want to add a T-shirt), you’ll grab a cleaned-out pumpkin, fill it with beer and chug it. Resurgence’s Oktoberfest will also include seasonal beer, food, live music by the Polka Boyz, pumpkin smashing, Stein Hoisting competitions and kids’ pumpkin painting. The Pumpkin Chug is a ticketed event, but Oktoberfest is free to attend and open to the public.
Tap & Craft Festival Comes to Riverworks in October
The Tap & Craft Festival returns to Buffalo Riverworks on Friday, Oct. 23, featuring more than 30 craft breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries. There will also be live music from The Brass Machine, food, artisan vendors, games and more. There are several ticket options, including Tap Tier ($75, includes an exclusive festival can release, a Tap & Craft pretzel necklace, and a Lock Tender sticker), VIP ($65, includes VIP-only pours and an extra hour), General Session ($50, access to the 6:30-9 pm tasting session), and Designated Driver ($12, includes bottled water). You can purchase tickets at Tapandcraft.com. In-person tickets will be available beginning Sept. 4 at The Lock Tender with no Eventbrite fees.
Spotted Octopus to Open at 500 Seneca This Month
Spotted Octopus Brewing will open its new Buffalo home at 500 Seneca Street, the former home of Dobutsu and Compass Run, this month. The new location features a large taproom with space for up to approximately 120, full bar with 8 taps (the brewery plans to add more), as well as cocktails, mocktails and dirty sodas, food from Flow Food Buffalo (smashburgers, garbage plates, hot dogs, Flowrritos, salads and more), outdoor patio overlooking the building’s courtyard, street and lot parking, and more. All beer will continue to be brewed at their Rochester location. Spotted Octopus hopes to open in the next few weeks.
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).
