First Line Brewing Drops New IPA, Sour Beer Series

First Line has released a new West Coast IPA, Wild West Coast, and a new sour beer series, Candyshop. Wild West was hopped with Citra, Galaxy, Idaho 7 and Magnum, and features notes of tropical fruit up front and a bitter finish. Additionally, the first entry into First Line Candyshop series is Starburst, a fruited sour with 1,500 individually unwrapped starbursts. It was fermented on strawberry, watermelon and dark sweet cherry purée. Both beers are on tap now.

They have also moved their Pay It Forward board online at https://firstlinebrewing.com/pay-it-forward. You can now purchase a pint for a front line workers and first responders at that link.

New West Coast IPA Coming to Brickyard Brewing

Brickyard Brewing Company is also getting into the West Coast spirit with the release of their own West Coast IPA, Close Encounters, on February 4. Brewed with “an abundance,” according to the brewery, of Mosaic, Chinook and Simcoe hops, which give this IPA a classic resinous finish, Close Encounters will be available on draft and in cans at Brickyard Pub & BBQ, as well as cans wherever great beer is sold soon after.

Celebrate Groundhog’s Day at Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier Brewing’s HQ in Lakewood, The Empty Pint, is celebrating Groundhog’s Day the right way, by laying odds on the man of the hour, Punxsutawney Phil. If he DOES see his shadow, guests will receive all dark beers, including stouts, porters and more for $3, and if Punxsutawney Phil DOESN’T see his shadow, all lighter beers, including lagers and pilsners, will be $3. Will it be an Irish Cream Stout or an 8 Days a Week? Six more weeks or winter or an early spring? Party starts at 3pm.

Thin Man to Release American, Belgian Pale Ales

This Friday, Thin Man is bringing back Stranded in Brussels, a Belgian Pale Ale collaboration with Belgium’s vaunted Brasserie de la Senne, a floral and fluffy BPA that features American and European hops with a Trappist Belgian yeast. At the same time, they are also releasing a good old American Pale Ale, John Henry, which boasts resiny hops (Cascade, Mosaic, Chinook). Stranded in Brussels is available in cans and on draft, while John Henry is draft only. Both are available at all three Thin Man locations.

Limited Tickets Remain for the 2022 Brewer’s Invitational

The 2022 Brewers Invitational takes place February 6 (2-5pm) at New York Beer Project and limited tickets still remain. For $45, you will receive a commemorative glass, gift card for NYBP’s gastropub menu, and access to over 50 innovative brews from 30 local breweries, cideries and meaderies. Grab tickets here.

Eli Fish, Sager Brew Works Team on New Limoncello Sour

Eli Fish Brewing and Sager Brew Works have teamed up on Limoncello Sour, a 6% dessert sour with Meyer lemons, Buddha’s Hand, vanilla and lactose, which will be available on February 3 on draft and in cans. In honor of the release, Sager is bringing three of their own beers to Eli Fish for a mini-tap takeover on Thursday (4pm).

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).