Buffalo Spree Best of WNY 2025 Winners

Congratulations to all of the winners of Buffalo Spree’s Best of WNY 2025! Britesmith Brewing won Casual Dinner (Northtowns), Best Local Brewery went to Big Ditch Brewing and Johnson’s Landing took home Best Restaurant Patio (tied with Frankie Primo’s +39). Cheers to all – this is your sign to pay a visit to these fine establishments soon. You can see all of the winners here.

Steelbound Brewery to Expand to Niagara Falls

Steelbound Brewery & Distillery is opening a location in Niagara Falls next year after signing a deal with the Sheraton Niagara Falls (300 Third Street) in the former TGI Friday’s restaurant. Plans call for the location to brew and distill Steelbound products on-site, including craft beer, vodka, gin and bourbon. It will also sell spirits by the bottle. The food menu will focus on wings and handheld items. The Steelbound project will cost about $700,000, Buffalo Business First reports, including adding the brewery and distillery equipment plus new patio furniture and soft seating. Work is set to begin in the fall, with a spring 2026 opening. Steelbound also has locations in Ellicottville, Springville, Dunkirk, Williamsville, and Las Vegas.

The Meading Room in Hamburg First Anniversary

Hamburg’s The Meading Room is turning one and is celebrating that milestone on August 2 (2 -10 pm), which also serves as National Mead Day. The meadery is throwing a “Meet, Mead & Meat” party, a BBQ and mead-fueled party with mead, barbeque and a meet and greet with the owners of The Meading Room and the team behind it. “Whether you’ve been with us from day one or just curious what the buzz is about, this is the perfect time to mead us, drink with us, and party with us,” the meadery said. There will also be live music from Pete Benzin during the party. The Meading Room is located at 106 Evans Street in Hamburg.

Beer Olympics at Resurgence Brewing at Canalside

In what has the making of one of the coolest events of the year, Resurgence Brewing’s Canalside location is hosting a Beer Olympics on August 2 (11 am). The events for Beer Olympics will be beer pong, flip cup, cornhole, water balloon toss, and 3-leg race. Tickets for each 2-man team are $75 and include a guaranteed spot in the games, five drinks per person and prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Spots are limited to 10 teams. You can sign up and purchase tickets here.

42 North Brewing Launches Special Borderland Can

For the sixth 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 fourth 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, Buffalo and Rochester area Tops Markets and Wegmans locations and beer stores and bottle shops and bars around Western New York. The 2025 Borderland Festival is set to take place at Knox Farm State Park in the village of East Aurora, September 12-14.

Buffalo Brewing Meets Fundraising Goal For New Chiller

If you didn’t hear, Buffalo Brewing Company was recently the victim of vandalism and theft at their 662 Fillmore Avenue location. After their glycol chiller was vandalized and the aluminum evaporator coil was stolen, the brewery launched a GoFundMe and recently hit their funding goal of more than $17,000. Owner John Domres Jr. said that they were forced to resort to crowdfunding after filing an insurance claim; however, their policy only covers the Fillmore location for liability and building damage, so their glycol chiller will not be covered. Buffalo Brewing was able to purchase a new chiller from California.

Football Themed Beer Release Party at Resurgence Brewing

We’re only a few short weeks away from seeing Josh Allen work magic on Sundays, but Resurgence is getting the ball rolling with a special release party for their Buffalo Bills-themed beers, BUF IPA and Circle the Wagons, on July 31 (5-8 pm). The event will feature beer samples, giveaways, and specialty food, including Beef on Weck, Firecracker Rolls and Chicken and Waffles cones. Plus, show up in your Bills gear and score $1 off drafts all night. The event is free and open to the public.

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).