Hofbrauhaus to Tap Hopfenweizen for June
June’s barrel tapping at Hofbrauhaus Buffalo will feature the return of their Hopfenweizen on June 5. If you’re new to this style, this is a 6.5% hazy beer with a thick white head, fruity and tropical aromas, and notes of pithy orange and pineapple juice with a clean bitterness on the end. The hops used are all new-world (Citra, El Dorado and Simcoe) and the yeast is Hofbrauhaus’ hefeweizen yeast, which has been manipulated to mute the bubblegum, banana and clove character. The Buffalo Beer League will be on hand to help lead the parade and participate in the barrel tapping of the beer. For reservations, visit www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com.
Big Ditch Throwing Block Party for 10th Anniversary
Big Ditch Brewing is turning 10 and they are throwing a block party on May 31 (1 pm) to celebrate a decade of slinging great beers. They are shutting down East Huron Street with live music from Steven Babcock and XOXO Pop Band, 4 throwback beers (Excavator Brown Ale, Citraburner IPA, FC Session Wheat Ale, Shipshape Pilsner), raffles and giveaways, an outdoor stage and massive tent, 10th anniversary commemorative koozie and BOGO beer coupon. GA tickets are $20 and VIP ((1-4:30 pm, $60, 5:30-9 pm, $75) features access to the upstairs Brewers Lounge including an open bar, pizza and wings buffet, and private bathrooms. You can purchase tickets here.
Registration Now Open for The Dude’s Homebrew Competition
Registration is now open for the 11th annual The Dude’s Homebrew Competition, which raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year’s event will take place on September 21 (12-3 pm) at Resurgence Brewing, where homebrewers will serve samples of dozens of homebrews to attendees, who will then vote for their favorite beer, which will be judged by a panel of local brewers. The winning beer will be brewed at Resurgence Brewing. For more information, click here. Tickets are on sale right now for $30 and include homebrew samplings and tasting glass.
The Caz to Host Hamburg Brewing Tap Takeover, DJ Dance Party
The Caz is back with another tap takeover, this time with Hamburg Brewing, on May 30 (doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm). The event will feature $5 Hamburg drafts all night, including Irish Red, Summer Lager and Blueberry Peach Hard Cider, while DJ Cochise takes to the stage to spin a mix of funk, rock, 90s rap, and 2000s dance hits, plus your requests. Tickets for the event are $5, but Buffalo Beer Buzz readers can use the special code BEERME by clicking here to get free tickets. This is a 21-and-over event. Food will be available 7:30 – 9:30 pm. The Caz is a cashless venue.
Rusty Nickel Brewing’s 10th Anniversary Party
Join Rusty Nickel Brewing on June 7 (12 – 11 pm) as they celebrate their first decade in business in West Seneca. The 10th Anniversary Party will feature live music, local vendors, exclusive beer releases (featuring returning favorites from the past 10 years), a special bourbon release, tastings, food specials and themed drinks. The live music lineup includes performances from Chelsea Healy, Porcelain Train, Save Tonight, Wacko Fest, UnderCover and XOXO Pop Band. The event is open to the public. Reservations are not required as plenty of seating will be available, but they are recommended for bigger parties. Those can be made by calling (716) 608-6155.
Pearl Street Brewery Drop Second Non-Alcoholic Beer
Pearl Street has released another non-alcoholic beer, this time an NA version of their award-winning Sabre’s Edge Double IPA, which won a gold medal at this year’s New York State Craft Beer Competition. NA Sabre’s Edge is a light, hoppy and refreshing take on the Pearl Street flagship and can be found on tap right now at the brewery. In addition, Pearl Street has also canned its first NA beer, NA Trainwreck Amber Ale. Cans can be found right now at Pearl Street and at Buffalo Riverworks.
May 29 is Kolsch Release Day at Gene McCarthy’s
Gene McCarthy’s and Old First Ward Brewing are celebrating all things kolsch on May 29 as their Crikrat Kolsch will return to taps. Crikrat is a light and mildly hoppy German-style ale that is lagered for a minimum of four weeks. Gene’s serves the beer in a traditional 8.5oz. Stange glass, the traditional kolsch glassware most commonly found in Germany. There will also be a special cask of Crikrat starting at 5 p.m., which will be available for the evening or until the cask runs out, whichever comes first.
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).
