Several Breweries Taking Part in Buffalo Restaurant Week
Buffalo Restaurant Week, October 13–19, features more than 100 eateries across Erie County showcasing Buffalo’s grit, charm, and culinary creativity. Chefs and mixologists will craft menu items that embody “Refreshingly Spicy,” bold and adventurous with a Buffalo twist, and “No-Fuss Fancy,” elevated comfort with local soul. Menus will include brunch or lunch of two or more courses for $15, $25, or $45, and dinners of three or more courses for $25, $45, or $65. Among participating breweries are both 42 North Brewing locations, Big Ditch Brewing and Resurgence Brewing. Pizza Plant’s Williamsville location is also taking part. For participating venues, visit https://visitbuffalo.com/buffalo-restaurant-week.
Beer Advent Calendar Returns to Magic Bear Beer Cellar
Magic Bear Beer Cellar’s Beer Advent Calendar, which features 24 craft beers curated by Certified Cicerone® Craig Altobello, is back for the 2025 holiday season. Each Advent Beer Box features a diverse selection of beer styles, including lagers, ales, stouts, IPAs, sours, and more, from local, national, and international breweries. Cans and bottles are individually numbered and are meant to be enjoyed on each of the 24 days leading up to Christmas, beginning on Dec. 1. Magic Bear Beer Cellar’s Beer Advent Calendars are available for presale on Nov. 1. Advent boxes cost $119 plus tax and there is a limited quantity available. Find more info at https://www.magicbearbeer.com.
New York Beer Project Wins Gold at Great American Beer Festival
Hazy Crush, New York Beer Project’s flagship hazy IPA at the Orchard Park Beer Lodge, took home a second straight gold medal at this year’s Great American Beer Festival, the largest beer festival in the country. Hazy Crush once again won gold in the experimental IPA category, making New York Beer Project one of the four medal award winners in New York State. Hazy Crush IPA is available at NYBP Lockport, Victor and Orchard Park. This is the 4th gold medal for Hazy Crush since its release – the beer has also won two gold medals in the NYS Craft Beer Festival and a gold in the World Beer Cup competition.
WNY Beer Trail Announces 2026 Trail Pass
The WNY Beer Trail 2026 Trail Pass is available now. The 2026 Pass is bigger than ever, with more than 80 locations across Western New York offering buy-one, get-one discounts on craft beer and beverages, in addition to other discounts and promotions. You can order your booklet or the mobile version, along with other WNY Beer Trail merchandise, at www.wnybeertrail.com and in person at Totally Buffalo stores and Buffalo Gift Emporium. When purchasing two or more trail passes online, use the code ‘15OFF’ to save 15% on your order. Passes are available through December 31, 2026.
Celebrate Halloween/Oktoberfest This Weekend at a Brewery
There are a number of options if you’re looking to don your best Halloween costume and grab a fresh locally brewed pint this year. If you’re in Fredonia, the Harvest Moon Festival Cemetery tour takes place on October 18 and features stops at Raven & Thorn, Old Main Inn, Mrs. Fred’s, Downtown Brew and Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar. The cup and bracelet will give you access to a discounted tour cocktail. Purchase tickets here. If you’re in Orchard Park, the Haunted Halloween Bar Crawl on October 18 features stops at Lunar Rei, Byrd House, OP Social, First Line Brewing, and Wayland Brewing. There will be themed cocktails, seasonal brews, and Halloween vibes at every stop. The first 50 attendees receive a free swag bag. Belt Line Brewery will also be hosting its Oktoberfest on October 18. Hoist a Festbier to celebrate the season with German beer and food specials. The event is free and open to the public.
Mortalis Brewing Buffalo Second Anniversary Party
Mortalis Brewing Buffalo is already turning the page on another year in business on Niagara Street and are celebrating that fact on Oct. 18. The event will feature live music from DJ Lesh, specialty exclusive draft options including a selection of Mortalis barrel aged beers and new beers, raffles, Mortalis themed trivia (6 pm) with barrel aged prizes, food from the Cheesy Chick Food Truck and hard ice cream from Ill Will Brewing. The event kicks off at 3pm and is free and open to the public. Mortalis Brewing Buffalo is located at 1250 Niagara St.
42 North Brewing to Celebrate 10th Anniversary This Weekend
42 North Brewing is celebrating their 10th anniversary this weekend with live music and the return of fan favorite beers. The brewery is bringing back Halt! Who Gose There, Colonel Maxwell Hazy IPA and Fortune Fetcher Pineapple IPA for the celebration and will have live music from Marty Peters (2-5 pm) and the Leroy Townes Band (7-10 pm) on Saturday. The Buffalove Bus will be on-site from 2-5 pm for vintage photos and the first 100 customers will receive a commemorative pint glass. On Sunday, The Brothers Blue will host their Old-Time String Jam, Sunday, 4-7 pm, and Hatchet & Hops will offer axe throwing, 2-5 pm.
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).
