Hofbrauhaus Buffalo to Tap Winterzwickel

On December 1, 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. Join the brewery for a parade and barrel tapping at 7pm and receive a free sample of the new brew. Buffalo News writer Scott Scanlon will serve as the honorary keg tapper.

Local Breweries Unite for VIP Night at Mr. Goodbar’s Cask Fest

Mr. Goodbar’s annual tradition of showcasing local cask beer returns Thursday, December 2 (7pm) at VIP Night. Tickets are $30 and include unlimited tastings of limited edition cask beers from Pressure Drop Brewing, Flying Bison, Gene McCarthy’s / OFW, Thin Man, Buffalo Brewing, 42 North Brewing, Big Ditch Brewing and Community Beer Works. There will also be sausages from Hanzlians available. Tickets can be purchased at the bar.

Drink Homebrew for a Good Cause at Santas of Swig Fundraiser

The 7th Annual Santas of Swig Fundraiser, presented by the Sultans of Swig Homebrew Club and Santas of Swig, which seeks to raise money for the Matt Urban Hope Center, takes place December 4 (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 a number of prizes. Baskets from local breweries will also be raffled off (donations of new, unwrapped toys gets you $10 in tickets). Tickets will be available at the door and can be purchased online at SultansofSwig.com.

Habitat for Humanity’s Craft Brew Tour Cards Returns for 5th Year

Habitat for Humanity has once again collaborated with a number of area bars, cideries, meaderies, breweries and distilleries for the House Beer Built Tour, which features coupons for free beer and cocktails at more than 35 local establishments. You can get free beers from 12 Gates, Pressure Drop, Resurgence, Big Ditch, Flying Bison, Hofbrauhaus and Community Beer Works to name a few, as well as free drinks, cocktails, cider, mead and more. Cards are $40 and can be preordered online.

Brickyard Brewing Teams With Former Bills Star For New IPA

Brickyard Brewing are teaming up with former Buffalo Bills wideout Stevie Johnson and the 71Blitz Podcast to release Why So Serious! A Seriously Hazy IPA on December 5 (12pm). A portion of proceeds from sales of the beer will go towards at-risk youth. The release party will feature fellow Bills stars Andre Reed and Aaron Williams to name a few, as well as prize giveaways.

Thin Man Brewery to Release New Hazy IPA

Thin Man Brewery is dropping a new hazy IPA this Friday, Efficiency & Progress. This hazy West Coast IPA is juicy, yet dry, and combines the haze of a New England IPA with a classic West Coast IPA. Brewed with Simcoe and Kohatu hops, Efficiency & Progress has notes of pink grapefruit, pine and mango. Available at all Thin Man locations on December 3.

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).