Buffalo On Tap Returns This Weekend
The 2026 edition of Buffalo on Tap will return to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center this Saturday, Feb. 7. A participating brewery list is available here. The event will also feature live music, craft vendors and food. VIP tickets (12-4 pm, $63, including taxes and fees) include 4 hours of craft beer sampling, access to VIP area with exclusive beer, souvenir sampling glass and more, and General Admission tickets (1 – 4 pm, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, $43, including taxes and fees) include 3 hours of craft beer sampling and souvenir sampling glass. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Erie County Fair Homebrew & Cider Making Competition Returns
The 2026 Erie County Fair Homebrew and Cider Making Competition will begin accepting entries on April 1, with a deadline of May 4. The 2026 Erie County Fair Home Brew Competition winner will be based on “creativity of a quintessential summertime brew” and the Cider Making Competition winner will be based on “creativity of a summertime refresher.” The winning beer will be brewed at Hamburg Brewing, while the winning cider will be brewed by BlackBird Cider Works. Both will be available on tap at the fair, Hamburg Brewing and Resurgence Brewing, as well as in cans. Entries are $25 entries can be dropped off at Hamburg Brewing, Erie County Fairgrounds Main Offices or Resurgence Brewing.
NYS Craft Brewers Fest Nominated For National Award
The New York State Craft Brewers Festival at Canalside has been nominated for USA TODAY‘s Top 10 Beer Festivals. “Since 2013, the New York State Craft Brewers Festival in Buffalo has been dedicated to showcasing the diverse range of breweries that operate all across the Empire State,” the event listing reads. “In recent years, this summer event has provided attendees with access to more than 45 different New York businesses and award-winning beer, each one relying on brewery employees and representatives to pour rather than just volunteers. The festival travels throughout the state during the year, visiting four other locations.” You can vote daily through Feb. 23. The event is currently in fourth place.
Hofbrauhaus to Tap Doppelbock for Hunter’s Hope
Hofbrauhaus is tapping their Doppelbock on Feb. 5 (6 pm), brewed with Hallertau Magnum and Perle hops, along with Pilsner, Munich II, Caramunich III and Aromatic malts, to create a bready, toasted malt-forward body with subtle notes of cherry, plum, raisin and toasted bread. The release will benefit Hunter’s Hope, with Steven from Hunter’s Hope serving as the honorary Burgermeister. From Feb. 5 – 9, guests can round up their checks to support Hunter’s Hope. All guests in attendance will receive a complimentary pour of Doppelbock. For reservations, call (716) 939-BEER (2337) or visit www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com.
Pearl Street Drops New West Coast IPA
There is a new West Coast IPA on tap at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery – Resin Runner. This 6% West Coast IPA is brewed with Simcoe and Centennial hops, with resinous notes, grapefruit, light malt, hoppy profile and vibrant red color. Resin Runner is available on tap right now at Pearl Street. Additionally, Old City Pizza is moving into the former Brawler’s Deli in the basement on Pearl Street. Old City Pizza will feature a massive brick oven, specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza, as well as a homemade pasta machine, and a new glass door entrance on Seneca Street.
Win VIP Tickets to Kenan Wine & Beer Bash
The Lock Tender is giving away a pair of VIP tickets to the Kenan Wine & Beer Bash, Feb. 21 at the Kenan Center Arena. The prize includes two VIP admission tickets and two commemorative tasting glasses. To enter, follow the Kenan Center and The Lock Tender on Instagram and then add a comment to the contest post. The giveaway ends Feb. 10 at 6 pm and the winner will be messaged directly.
The event will feature samplings from local craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and restaurants, along with live music from The Uptown Groove, food and more. This year’s event is being held in partnership with the Tap & Craft Festival, with a wine garden presented by The Lock Tender. General admission tickets are $45 and VIP is $65, and includes premier parking, an extra hour of tasting, exclusive wine and beer samples, free Blaster Ball and more. You can purchase tickets here.
Steel Leaf to Launch New “Epic” Small Batch Beer Series
Steel Leaf Brewing is set to introduce a new small-batch beer series at its Hertel Avenue taproom. The brewery plans to release a new beer every Tuesday in limited quantities – one weekly keg tapping featuring a unique beer flavor and style, or a “never flavor,” as brewery and owner Jeff Pitts puts it. “An epic story is about to unfold,” the brewery posted to social media. “We’ve traveled the world looking for legendary flavors. New epic never flavors. Super limited drops. Every. Single. Week. One keg at a time.” According to Pitts, each release will feature a unique fantasy-driven story. “I’m pretty excited about it,” Pitts said. “We are throwing tradition on its head. It’s kinda fun, fresh, and interesting.” Stay tuned to Steel Leaf’s social channels for release details.
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).
