Celebrate Halloween This Year 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. Happening this weekend around Western New York is Halloween Costume Contest at Buffalo Olde Brewery (Oct. 31), 12 Gates Halloween Skelebration (Oct. 28), Marquee Brewing Halloween Celebration (Oct. 28), Hamburg Brewing Halloween Party (Oct. 28), Boos & Brews at Eli Fish Brewing (Oct. 28), Halloween Costume Party at Woodcock Brothers Wilson (Oct. 28), King-O-Ween at Southern Tier Brewing (Oct. 28), Spooky Brews & BBQs at One-Eyed Cat Brewing (Oct. 27), Halloween Party at Windy Brew (Oct. 27), Halloween Dayfest and Night of Frights at Southern Tier Buffalo (Oct. 27), and more.

Fourth Annual NYS Pint Days Returns November 20

The 4th annual New York State Pint Days, a statewide event where $1 per glass sold at participating breweries directly supports the New York State Brewers Association, returns, Nov. 20 – 26. Each year the NYS Pint Days Glass features a unique design that celebrates NYS craft beer. This year’s winning design comes from Joanna Brotherton, a craft beer enthusiast from East Setauket, NY. “The design incorporates the many wonders of New York, from the mountains, evergreen woods, lakes, and rivers, to NYC and finally the beautiful Long Island Beaches,” she said. You can purchase a glass at Big Inlet Brewing, Resurgence Brewing, 12 Gates Brewing, and The Ridge West Seneca. Click here for more information.

Dunkler Bock Release Party at Hofbrauhaus

On November 2, Hofbrauhaus is rolling out the barrels for their new Dunkler Bock, which will be tapped at 6pm. Kate Glaser of Hope Rises will serve as the ceremonial barrel tapper, with Die Haus Band leading a parade through the brewery before the barrel is tapped. Dunkler Bock is a strong, rich and dark German lager that features notes of bready malt, caramel, toasted bread, and dark orchard fruit with a slightly lingering sweet finish. For a comparison, Dunkler Bock would fit in between Hofbrauhaus’ Dunkel and Doppelbock. The brewery suggests pairing the beer with their Bayerische Spezialitaeten Platte or their Jaegerschnitzel. All guests will receive a complimentary pour of Dunkler Bock after the barrel is tapped. Make reservations at www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com or by calling (716) 939-BEER. All ages are welcome.

First Line Brewing Drops New Hazy IPA

First Line Brewing has released American Muscle, an 8% New England IPA that features all Nelson Sauvin hops. This is the first beer from new assistant brewer Sean Eagen and features an entirely new water profile designed to accentuate the tropical fruit profile of the hops, along with a resinous mouthfeel and notes of grape, passionfruit, and fresh crushed gooseberries. You can find American Muscle on tap right now at First Line’s Orchard Park taproom.

Bottles & Bites: Flavors of Fall at Statler Buffalo

Combine the best of local food, craft, wine, cider and more at Bottles & Bites: Flavors of Fall, November 16 at the Staler Buffalo. Food will be available from Mulberry, Trattoria Aroma, Jack Rabbit, Lloyd Taco, Cupcaked Bakery, Babcia’s Pierogi and more, craft beer from Shalooby Loofer, 42 North, Big Ditch, Ellicottville Brewing, Southern Tier and more, cider from 1911 and wine from Ten Thousand Vines. There will also be live music from Busted Stuff – Dave/Cyn. General admission ($36.97, 6pm-8:30pm) tickets include complimentary glass and all samples, and VIP tickets ($60.23, 5:30pm) includes $25 Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant gift card, exclusive beer selections, complimentary glass and all samples. You can purchase tickets here.

Enter to Win a $250 Bites & Brews Experience at Buffalo Olde Brewery

Step Out Buffalo has teamed up with Lovejoy’s Buffalo Olde Brewery to give away a Bites & Brews experience worth $250. The grand prize includes a $250 credit to be used towards food, beverages, or merchandise at the new brewery. To enter, click here to enter your name and email. The contest runs through October 30. You can also head to @stepoutbuffalo on Instagram for more chances to enter and win.

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).