Tickets Now on Sale for CollaBEERation Festival IV
Tickets are now available for the fourth annual CollaBEERation Festival at the Powerhouse, Saturday, April 13, 2024. The unique event brings together members of the Buffalo Beer Geeks community to partner with more than 40+ participating Western New York breweries, cideries, and meaderies to brew never-before-made libations. There will also be craft vendors, food trucks, and more. Attendees can vote on their top 3 collabs, with the winners taking home the Buffalo Beer Geek Championship Belt. Bloomfield’s Noble Shephard won last year. General admission tickets ($70, includes unlimited pours and commemorative glass) can purchased here. DD tickets are also available.
Hofbrauhaus Buffalo to Tap Winterzwickel
On December 7, Hofbrauhaus Buffalo will tap their Winterzwickel, a 5.5% dark beer specially brewed for the winter season with hints of caramel, toasted bread, plum, raisin and chocolate. Die Haus Band will lead the ceremonial parade at 6pm and all guests will receive a complimentary Winterzwickel afterwards. Winterzwickel pairs well with Schweinebraten, Jägerschnitzel, and Käsekuchen, according to the brewery. Reservations are recommended. For reservations, visit www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com, or call (716) 939-2337.
Beer List Released for Mr. Goodbar’s Cask Fest
Mr. Goodbar’s annual tradition of showcasing local cask beer returns December 7 (7pm). Tickets are $30 and include unlimited tastings of limited edition cask beers, including Big Ditch Red Wine Barrel Aged Marzen with Brettanomyces, Flying Bison Oak Aged MacBison Pale Scotch Ale, Pressure Drop Faded Clauz Milk Stout with vanilla and oak, 42 North Raspberry Coffee Cake Porter, Thin Man Wai-Iti Double Dry Hopped Bliss DIPA, Mortalis Buffalo Egg Nog Hydra Smooth-Style Sour and more. Tickets include a complimentary tasting glass and Hanzlians sausage tasting. Tickets can be purchased at the bar.
Lafayette Brewing Company to Close December 17
As the old saying goes, nothing gold can stay as Lafayette Brewing Company, an all-lager brewery housed inside of the Hotel Lafayette, has announced that they will officially close their doors on December 17. Until then, the brewery will continue to serve beer and food Wednesday through Sundays. “We appreciate everyone who has supported us for all these years and will miss those who have become family. Stop by and grab a beer and some food,” the brewery said on Facebook. #LastCallForLaf kicks off Dec. 17 at 3pm and features a complimentary buffet, specialty priced drinks and Bills-Cowboys watch party.
Drink Homebrew for a Good Cause at Santas of Swig Fundraiser
The 2023 Santas of Swig Fundraiser, presented by the Sultans of Swig Homebrew Club and Santas of Swig, which raises money for the Matt Urban Hope Center, takes place December 10 (1pm) at Buffalo Iron Works. A $20 donation buys samples of a number of beers made by area homebrewers. Vote for your favorite beer and the winning homebrewer will receive prizes. Baskets from local breweries will be raffled off (donations of new, unwrapped toys gets you $10 in tickets). Tickets will be available at the door. More information can be found at SultansofSwig.com.
6 Course WNY Beer Dinner to Benefit PBS Buffalo
The Buffalo chapter of the Pink Boots Society is holding a special beer pairing dinner fundraiser on December 11 at the Bridgeview Tavern in Grand Island. Each course will feature tasting notes and discussion by local brewer, certified cicerone and BJCP judge, Dave Johnson, with craft beer, cider and mead from Lilly Belle Meads, Rusty Nickel, Resurgence Brewing, Pressure Drop, BlackBird Cider and Community Beer Works. Proceeds will benefit Pink Boots Society Buffalo, a global non-profit focused on assisting, inspiring, and encouraging women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education. Tickets can be purchased here.
Buffalo Brewery Cookie Party at Pearl Street Brewery
Pearl Street’s annual holiday cookie and beer party at Brawler’s Back-Alley Deli returns on December 8 (5pm). This year, the event will feature holiday inspired beers brewed by some of the best breweries in Buffalo. Guests are encouraged to bring a dozen (or more) homemade Christmas cookies in exchange for a free tasting of all beers. Pints are available for sale after your free flight. Pearl Street will debut Biere de Garfunkel, a Biere de Garde brewed with rosemary, sage, parsley and thyme, and a Gingerbread Lager brewed with spiced malt.
Stout Flight Week at Santora’s and 1927 Brew House
Santora’s Pizza Pub and Grill and 1927 Brew House are celebrating Stout Flight Week with five small batch stouts in one flight – Hangover Breakfast (thicker bodied with coffee aromas, smoked malt and maple syrup), Gingerbread (notes of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and dark molasses), Peppermint Mocha (notes of dark chocolate and peppermint), Cherry Oatmeal (brewed with fresh tart cherry juice) and Amaretto Oatmeal (notes of chocolate, brewed with cherry and almond). A limited amount of each beer is available now at each Santora’s location, while supplies last.
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 Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
