It’s Wednesday, or Humpday for those so inclined, and there’s a bit of a light schedule today in terms of Buffalo Beer Week goings on. One of our favorite fall beers – Gordon Biersch’s Festbier – makes its triumphant return today, Beer School starts at Gene McCarthy’s, and if you’ve ever wanted to know what a full, operational brewery inside of a grain silo looks like, today is your lucky day because Riverworks Brewing is holding exclusive tours of their unique brewhouse. So all you have to do is make it through your workday, then head out and grab a beer. And maybe some tacos too. Yeah, that sounds pretty tremendous.
One of my favorite annual events during Beer Week – Gordon Biersch’s Festbier Tapping Party (5pm) – will feature live music, food and games. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit Hospice Buffalo. Gordon Biersch’s Festbier has a lighter body with a robust, hoppy flavor, thanks to Hallertau and Tettnang aroma hops.
Rusty Nickel Brewing are breaking out the good stuff for Steak, Cigars, Beer & Whiskey (6:30pm). Tickets available via Rusty Nickel’s website. Each ticket includes a steak dinner from Ebenezer Ale House, a cigar from Nice Ash Cigars, local whiskey and bourbon tastings and of course, a flight of Rusty Nickel brews.
Get an exclusive tour of Riverworks Brewing at Buffalo Riverworks (6:30pm), a brewery built right inside the giant six-pack in former grain silos. Don’t forget to grab a few beers while you’re there. I hear the new Rejuvenator IPA is solid.
Gene McCarthy’s is holding their first monthly Beer School (7pm) with a focus on Oktoberfest with beer sausage. Michelle Stevens (aka Madame Fromage) will organize and present a beer/food menu for each class and will provide information on cooking with beer and provide recipes of the dishes offered. Gene’s will offer two beer/food pairings in larger portions, each plate matched with a 10oz. beer. $25 per class ($200 for the entire year (10 classes, $20/class, no refunds)).
42 North will host the first annual Aurora Fest (6pm) to benefit Aurora Adult Day Services. Your $40 ticket includes two drinks, full taco bar and live music by Jordan Rose & Rob Montone. You can also enter to win a Borderland Festival weekend package including a pair of 2-day passes and 42 North’s Oatmeal Cookie Brown Ale will be on tap for the festivities.
Elsewhere during Buffalo Beer Week, as has become custom, Buffalo Brewing Company will be open every single day. Pearl Street (seasonal beers with Beer Week booklet) and Lafayette Brewing are offering $3.50 pints all Beer Week long, and score $2 off pints at Pizza Plant (both locations) and $4 pints at Riverworks Brewing with coupons you can find in the official Beer Week book. Also, Blackbird Cider Works have daily specials, Hamm & Fattey’s and Fattey Beer Co. are running select $3 pint specials (check Buffalobeerweek.com for more details) and Five & 20 will be donating a portion of the proceeds from their specially priced Beer of the Month to Habitat for Humanity during the entire course of Buffalo Beer Week.
If you’re drinking something local during Buffalo Beer Week, post it on social media and tag the BBL – @Buffalobeerleague (Instagram), @Buffbeerleague (Twitter) and @Thebuffalobeerleague (Facebook). Also, use the hashtag #Buffalobeerweek.
Keep it locked to www.buffalobeerweek.com for more daily blog posts regarding all of the beers, all of the events and all of the happenings going on throughout Buffalo Beer Week. To see all the events that are happening over the next 10 days and to read the official Buffalo Beer Week book, visit http://www.buffalobeerweek.com. The theme this year is ‘ten years of craft beer.’ For more information, please visit Buffaloniagarabrewersassociation.org and Facebook.com/BuffaloNiagaraBrewersAssociation.
These next 10 days are about beer yes, but above all else, drink responsibly and be safe. If you need a ride home, try Lyft, Uber or Liberty Cab’s Ride Local. There are plenty of options to both drink and get home responsibly.
Brian Campbell is a co-founder/Brand Manager of the BNBA’s enthusiast arm, Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column for Step Out Buffalo. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at buffalobeerleague@aol.com, on Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague) and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
