Deck the Halls Fundraiser at Pizza Plant Transit
Pizza Plant’s Deck the Halls fundraiser for Sleep in Heavenly Peace returns to their Transit Road location on Dec. 14 (2 pm). The event will feature a Christmas Cookie competition, Anchor Brewing Our Christmas Ale magnum bottle tapping (2 pm), special Christmas beers on tap, including Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Jack’s Abby Toy Soldier Christmas Lager, Scaldis Noel, Prairie Christmas Bomb and more, Buffalo Beer Geek Bottle share (2 pm) and more. Judging for the cookie competition will take place at 4 pm, with the winner receiving $100. Cookies will then be sold with all proceeds going towards Sleep in Heavenly Peace. You can register for the competition here.
Celebrate WNY Craft Beer At Kenan Wine & Beer Bash
The 2026 Kenan Wine & Beer Bash is coming to the Kenan Center Arena on Feb. 21 (4-7 pm). 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.
Strykersville’s Windy Brew Sold To New Owners
Windy Brew in Strykersville is changing hands. Owners and founders Michelle and Bill Snyder are selling the brewery, including the taproom, brewhouse, land, recipes and trademarks, to Mark and Tracy Schork, who are new to the industry. In the interim, Bill will stay on to assist in the transition. The official closing date for the sale is Dec. 19, but the new owners will be introduced this weekend during Windy Brew’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. “Tracy and Mark are very happy and excited for their new adventure and I couldn’t be happier to be passing it along to them,” Michelle said. “The best part of this business has been the people and friends we have made along the way, and I will always treasure that.” For more information, click here.
Wandering Gypsy Brewing’s Fifth Anniversary Weekend
Wandering Gypsy Brewing Company in Ransomville is turning five, and is celebrating with an entire weekend of events, Dec. 11 – 14. Starting on Dec. 11, special edition 5th anniversary glasses will go on sale, everyone who purchases a coffee will receive a free Three Little Hens Baking Co. cookie on Dec. 12, there will be $5 draft pours all day to celebrate five years in business on Dec. 13 and the will weekend will wrap up on Dec. 14 with a special mystery beer release at 10 am. You can find more information at https://www.wanderinggypsybrewing.com.
First Line Brewing Debuts New Buffalo Bills Beer
First Line Brewing has launched a new Bills-themed beer, One Last Ride Lager, a 5% light and crisp American lager brewed to honor the team’s final season at the current Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. One Last Ride Lager is available now on draft at the taproom and in 12oz. 6-pack cans to go. The brewery has also launched the Mafia Pack, which includes 3 cans of One Last Ride and 3 cans of Beast in the East IPA.
First Line has also brought back Boom Toasted, a light lager brewed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The beer is available on draft at the taproom and in 12oz. 6-packs to go.
Pink Boots Society Buffalo Holiday Pairing Dinner
The Buffalo chapter of the Pink Boots Society is hosting a Holiday Pairing Dinner on Dec. 15 (6-8 pm) at the Niagara Falls Elks Lodge #346 (7710 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls). Tickets ($10 for members, $35 for non-members) include a 5-course experience featuring food by Dudley Catering Company paired with beverages from BlackBird Cider Works, Hamburg Brewing, Resurgence Brewing, and Thin Man Brewery. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Pink Boots Society’s Buffalo Chapter, who assist, inspire, and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented beverage industry through education. You can purchase tickets here.
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).
