6 WNY breweries win 9 medals at 2023 NYS Craft Beer Competition

The annual NYS Craft Beer Competition Awards is a testament to the growing popularity and quality of craft beer in the state. And the WNY region was well represented this year. Pearl Street Brewery won gold in the American DIPA category for Sabre’s Edge Double IPA, Big Ditch won gold in Barrel Aged (Non Sour) for Double Barrel Aqueduct, Community Beer Works won gold in Belgian Farmhouse for Thirst Aid Kit and Steelbound Brewery won gold for Buy the Berries Blueberry Wheat in the Fruit & Vegetable (Non-Sour) category. New York Beer Project (3) and West Shore Brewing (1) also medaled.

Tap That Tap Room Set to Open in Tonawanda

Tap That Tap Room, Western New York’s first female-owned self-pour taproom, will open April 1 in Tonawanda at 363 Delaware Ave. Tap That will offer 30 self-serve taps of beer, wine, cider and seltzer, including a variety of local brands, an “elevated” bar food menu that will focus on shareable plates, space to seat 60 people at 15 tables and additional space at a bar rail. Plans also call for a dog-friendly patio out front. The self-pour system allows customers to pour as little as an ounce, and will offer malt beverages and mixed drinks. Owners hope to have a soft opening by late March, with a grand opening April 1.

Consumer’s Beverages Offering Free Buffalo Bisons Tickets

Like craft beer? Planning to catch a Bisons game this season? If you answered yes, then you’re going to want to head to any Consumer’s Beverages location soon. With any purchase of $10 or more, you will receive a free pair of tickets to the Bisons April 4 home opener against the Worcester Red Sox (while supplies last). New this season, the team will offer the Southern Tier Craft Beer Pack, which features 2 undated game tickets and 4 craft beer vouchers, for $53. You can purchase tickets here.

New 12 Gates’ Monsters & Myths IPA Coming

12 Gates latest beer series, Monsters & Myths, which will consist of 6 new hazy IPAs that will be released in collectors’ art cans, continues March 31 with Siren, a 7.1% Hazy IPA packed with Azacca, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. The Sirens were known from Greek mythology to have been created by Zues as playmates for his daughter Persephone. When Hades captured Persephone the sirens were banished to an island where their song enchanted sailors to their ultimate demise. Siren will be available on draft and in 16oz. 4-pack cans to go.

Hazelnut Deluxe is Southern Tier’s New Blackwater Series Beer

Southern Tier Brewing’s Blackwater Series continues with the release of Hazelnut Deluxe Imperial Stout, a 10.2% brew with rich nutty notes, chocolate and roasted malts. Look for Hazelnut Deluxe soon wherever great craft beer is sold, at all Southern Tier taprooms, or on tap at your local bar in 4-pack 12oz. bottles and on draft.

Hofbrauhaus to Tap New Royal Export Golden Lager

On April 6 (6pm), Hofbrauhaus  Buffalo will tap their new Royal Export lager as only they know how – with a traditional parade, barrel tapping and live music. The cast of Drunk Theatre Buffalo will lead the parade, while Die Haus Band takes the main stage (6-9pm). All guests (21+) will receive a complimentary Royal Export pour after the barrel tapping. Royal Export is a golden lager with fruity hop notes and a light bitterness.

Spring Fever in Pennsylvania Comes to The Beer Keep

The best breweries and craft beer from Pennsylvania is taking over all of the taps at The Beer Keep on April 1 (11:30am), including Human Robot, Voodoo Brewing, Imprint Beer, Dancing Gnome, 2SP, Evergrain Brewing, Antifragile Brewing, Forest and Main, Kingview Mead and Grist House. You can find a complete beer list here. There will be plenty of limited release and specialty packaged offerings to consume on site or to-go. This event is free to attend. Limited event poster prints will be available day of for $5.

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).