Buffalo Beer Buzz: Frequentem & Griffon Grand Opening, Hofbrauhaus Doppelbock. Winter Survival Kit, Belgian Beer & Chocolate Fest, Half Off Flights at Mystic Hills

Frequentum Brewing Co. Buffalo Grand Opening

Frequentem Brewing, who currently operate in Canandaigua at 254 S. Main St. and originally opened in summer of 2020 by Meagan and David D’Allesandro, will officially open their new Buffalo location in the Old First Ward (225 Louisiana St.) at the Barcalo Living & Commerce Center on Feb. 3 (12-11pm). The grand opening will feature a number of Frequentem’s beer on tap, which includes a selection of lagers, hazy IPAs, fruited sours and stouts. The 150,000 sq. ft. Barcalo Living & Commerce Center, site of the former Barcalounger factory, also includes 118 apartments and 35,000 square feet of retail/commercial space.

Doppelbock Returns to Taps at Hofbrauhaus Buffalo

Hofbrauhaus is tapping their Doppelbock on February 1 (6pm). Hofbrauhaus Buffalo’s Doppelbock is one such example of both. It’s 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. All guests in attendance will receive a complimentary pour of Doppelbock. For reservations, call (716) 939-BEER (2337) or visit www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com.

Pizza Plant’s Belgian Beer & Chocolate Event Is Back

Pizza Plant’s annual Belgian Beer and Chocolate Festival returns on February 7 (6pm) to their Transit Road location. The event will feature a number of Ommegang beers, who will be bringing Raspberry Lemon Falls, Everything Naughty, Witte, Nitro Three Philosophers and Barrel Aged Three Philosophers. There will also be an Ommegang swag raffle. The beers will be available in a flight or ala carte. Each flight comes with free Chow Chocolates, who will also have special Chow Chocolate Valentine’s Day chocolates to purchase only during the event. Additionally, Derek Edinger from Brewery Ardennes will on hand (their Belgian Stout will be on tap) sampling some of the brewery’s Belgian beers.

New York State Craft Beer & Chocolate Gift Box Available Now

In honor of this Valentine’s Day, the New York State Brewers Association is pairing beer from across the state with 12 gourmet chocolates from Syracuse’s Sweet on Chocolate for the Winter Survival Kit. Among the decadent pairings are Big Ditch Brewing’s Rum Barrel Aged Aqueduct and Butterscotch Cream Truffle, Mortalis Brewing  Diner Pie (Apple Pie) and Dark Chocolate Coconut Cream, and Pressure Drop Brewing BuckStar Porter and Espresso Truffle. The kit also features beers from Wayward Lane, Ghost Brewing, KCBC, Beer Tree, Paradox and more. The NYSBA Winter Survival Kit is $140 and be purchased here. Shipping is free.

Half Off Flights at Mystic Hills Brewing

Mystic Hills Brewing and Step Out Buffalo have once again teamed up, this time to offer 50% flights at the brewery through February 12. In order to receive the discount, present this page at the East Concord taproom (one discount per group) Currently on tap – Sleigher Winter Ale, The Gusto Lager, Cellar Dweller Keller, Brucey’s Belgian Blonde, Mysticberries Taste Like MysticBerries Fruited Sour, Never Rest Honey Brown Ale, Kiss the Go Gose, Witches at Black Masses Black IPA, Citrice Dry-Hopped IPA, 8 Down Berlinner Weisse, Midnight Express Espresso Stout, Secret Garden Cream Ale, Midnight on Allen Road Oatmeal Stout, The Truth Is Out There IPA, and Haze On The Hills Sour NEIPA.

Griffon Brewing Tap Room to Hold Grand Opening

Griffon Brewing, located at 200 Lockport St. in Youngstown, will hold their officially grand opening on February 4 (12pm). The brewery is part of the Griffon Gastropub family, who currently has locations in East Aurora, Niagara Falls, Clarence and Lewiston. The brewery tentatively plans to be open Thursday through Sunday, and will offer a food menu consisting of apps, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and more. Griffon will also offer liquor and wine, and a house seltzer line, Pubbles, a series with a rotating selection of flavors. Stay up to date on beer releases, events, live music, specials, and more by signing up for their newsletter 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 Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).