West Shore Brewing, Rusty Nickel Brewing to Merge
After closing their Clarence taproom, West Shore Brewing Company announced that they are merging with West Seneca’s Rusty Nickel Brewing Company. The new partnership will expand distribution for both breweries, according to Rusty Nickel president Jason Havens, who made the announcement at their 8th anniversary party. West Shore owner Josh Dziomba has also joined the brewing team at Rusty Nickel. Moving forward, West Shore’s beers will continue to be produced and made available.
Drink West Shore Brewing Citrus Lager for a Good Cause
On June 10, West Shore’s Lake to Rail Citrus Lager will serve as the centerpiece for a fundraising event for the Flour-by-Rail Legacy Project at Duende Silo City. The event features tours of the grounds and boxcar, West Shore beers, live music, and more. Tickets for unlimited beer are $25 online and at the door, or you can just show up and enjoy the day a la carte. All proceeds go to the Flour-by-Rail Legacy Project, a 501c3 nonprofit community development and placemaking initiative of Buffalo, USA Foundation, on the grounds of Silo City in Buffalo’s historic Old First Ward.
12 Gates Brewing to Release New Monsters & Myths IPA
Leshen, the latest release in 12 Gates’ Monsters & Myths Hazy IPA series, will be released on June 9 (12pm). The hazy IPA is 6% and is brewed with Azacca, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. Taken from ancient Slavic mythology, the Leshen is depicted as a malevolent and powerful woodland spirit believed to have control over the forest and its inhabitants, including animals and lesser forest spirits. This hazy IPA will be available at the 12 Gates taproom on draft and in 16oz. 4-pack cans to-go. Look for Leshen on shelves and on tap wherever great craft beer is sold soon.
Erie County Pints in the Park Returns with Resurgence & 42 North
Resurgence Brewing and 42 North Brewing will once again take part in the Erie County Parks Department Pints in the Park Program, which features pop-up beer gardens across the Erie County Park System throughout the summer and fall. The 2023 program includes stops at Como Lake Park (July 7, 4-9pm, July 8, 12-9pm), Ellicott Creek Park (June 9, 4-9pm, June 10, 12-9pm), Chestnut Ridge Park (July 28, 4-9pm, July 29, 12-9pm, August 18, 4-9pm, August 19, 12-9pm), Emery Park (Aug. 12, 12-5pm), Wendy Beach Park (July 1-3, 12-9pm, Aug 4., 4-9pm, Aug. 5, 12-9pm).
Big Ditch, Explore Buffalo Team Up on History Buff Kolsch
Big Ditch Brewing and Explore Buffalo have teamed up on History Buff, a German-style Kolsch, to celebrate Explore Buffalo’s tenth anniversary tour season. The beer is slightly fruity, slightly bready, and refreshing. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Explore Buffalo. History Buff arrives just in time for new brewery tours at Big Ditch, which will take place every Wednesday beginning June 7. Learn the ins and outs of beer with your first Big Ditch pint included in the tour. Visit https://explorebuffalo.org/spotlight/big-ditch-brewery/ to sign up for a tour.
Submit a Design for the 2023 NYS Pint Days Glass
The New York State Brewers Association is hosting an artwork contest for the design of the 4th Annual New York State Pint Days Glass. Each year’s glass features a unique design that celebrates NYS craft beer. Entries will be accepted until June 18 before being narrowed down to the top 2-3 designs. Then, a public vote will take place to determine the winning design. The winner will receive $500 and recognition as the 2023 Pint Days Artist. Contest details, artwork specs, and submission form can be found at https://thinknydrinkny.com/pint-days-contest. Additional information about Pint Days is available at https://thinknydrinkny.com/nys-pint-days.
Inventory Clearance Sale at Brickyard Brewing
To make room for more beer, Brickyard Brewing is holding a special can inventory clearance sale at their Lewiston taproom. As part of the sale, the brewery is offering $10 4-packs of Fiji Mermaid, a guava, pineapple and coconut sour, BerryBerry NannerNanner, a berry, guava and banana smoothie sour, Under the Bridge, a dry-hopped West Coast IPA brewed with El Dorado, Amarillo, and Chinook hops, and Irish Goodbye Red Ale. You can also purchase 3 4-packs for $24 on any of these brands (must buy 3 to get additional savings).
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).
