Buffalo Beer Buzz: Other Half Buffalo to Expand, 2023 Trail Pass on Sale, Pod City Beer Labs Taps First Beer, 42 North 7th Anniversary, Cider Fest ’22, Steel Leaf First Can Release

Other Half Brewing Buffalo to Expand Operations at Seneca One

Other Half Brewing Buffalo has announced plans to expand to a new 8,000 sq. ft. full taproom, beer garden and sports bar at Seneca One in downtown Buffalo after signing a new 10-year lease with Douglas Development. They plan to host live music, house a coffee shop and offer breakfast options as well. Full details on just what the new space will look like are still being finalized by the brewery. Other Half Buffalo is currently open for to-go and on premise drinks. Tentative plans call for the new space to open next summer.

Pod City Beer Labs at Pizza Plant Canalside Tap First Beer

Pod City Beer Labs, a new nanobrewery located at Pizza Plant Canalside, has officially tapped their first beer, Patsy’s Pils. The 4.5% pilsner is brewed with Czech Floor Malted Pils malt and Sladek and Kazbek hops for crispy, dry and slightly lemony notes with a light malt sweetness on the finish. The beer is currently only available on tap at both Pizza Plant’s locations. Look for Pod City Beer Labs to release a New England IPA in the coming weeks. Their West Coast IPA is also on tap at Canalside right now.

2023 Trail Pass from WNY Beer trail Is Now Available

The WNY Beer Trail has launched sales of their 2023 Trail Pass. Among the new stops for 2023 are Beer Justice Beer Co., Brazen Brewing, Butera’s, Queen City Meadery, Sad Boys Brewing (opening soon), Wandering Gypsy Brewing, Brewed & Bottled Craft Beer Shop, BTR Brews, Eagle House Restaurant, Magic Bear Beer Cellar and Leo’s Pizzeria Orchard Park. While most stops will still offer two half price beers during your first visit at over 50 breweries, bars, bottle shops, distilleries, cideries, meaderies and restaurants, new this year are discounts on flights, food and merchandise (check each location’s page for their specific offer). A digital version, along with 3- and 7-day use passes will be available soon. Purchase at www.wnybeertrail.com.

42 North Brewing to Celebrate Lucky 7th Anniversary

42 North Brewing Company is planning a full weekend of events Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 23 to celebrate its seventh anniversary. Under the theme ‘Lucky 7,’ the special weekend will feature a special collaboration with Lucky Day Whiskey Bar. This beer, a gose, will be released Saturday and will allow customers to add their favorite fruit flavors to create their custom beer. Leroy Townes Band will perform Friday, The Brothers Blue will perform Saturday and the 2nd annual Gear & Beer takes place Sunday. There will be a live DJ and music from Owen Eichensehr and Pat Harrington.

The Terrace at Delaware Park to Hold Cider Fest 2022

Calling all hard cider fans! Cider Fest 2022, which includes cider tastings, food and family friendly activities, is returning to the Terrace at Delaware Park on October 22 (12pm). Sample hard ciders from BlackBird Cider Works, OSB, Clarksburg, Hamburg, Cider Creek and Blue Barn, mead and beer from Illumination Meadery and Thin Man Brewery, as well as mulled cider, fresh cider and cider slushies. There will be cider donuts and pastries, artisan sausages, Sahlen’s hot dogs and soup bar, in addition to fall hay rides, arts & crafts, caramel apple decorating, face painting and more. Purchase tickets here.

Steel Leaf Brewing to Release First Canned Beer

Steel Leaf Brewing Company, located at the Eastern Hills Mall, will release their first ever beer in cans on October 21 (5pm). The beer, named The Count, a smooth, creamy and chocolatey brown ale brewed with Cocoa nibs, Madagascar vanilla beans and mini marshmallows, is an homage to the iconic breakfast cereal of our childhood. This will be a limited release with only 20 cases available. 4-pack 16oz. cans will be available for purchase for $20.

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).