One of the best qualities of craft beer is its ability to foster positive change with each fill of the glass. Buffalo Brewpub is putting their locally created suds to work at Paws at the Pub on August 5 (12-5pm), a fundraiser for the SPCA Serving Erie County to support homeless pets in need.

The pet-free event (rain or shine) will feature fun music, tasty food, great drinks, basket raffles, a silent auction, 50/50 and door prizes. But most importantly, the event is designed to raise money to support the SPCA and every single one of man’s best friends. And Buffalo Brewpub are doing their part to make this year by partnering with 12 Gates Brewing on a special beer for the occasion, a Passionfruit Mango Kolsch.

The Brewpub’s Chris Townsell and 12 Gates’ Scott Shuler partnered up for the brew at the Brewpub, and debuted it a short while back at the Buffalo Brewers Festival. Townsell says that in the weeks since the fest (June 23), the beer has changed as it has been filtered and the beer ratio has been tweaked. Townsell adds that it was Shuler’s idea for the fruit concoction.

“It was Scott’s idea to do the Passionfruit Mango,” he says. “We wanted to make a beer that would be approachable to a wider group (versus an IPA or Stout). It’s a malty kolsch with lots of infused fruit, which made it a dark for being a kolsch. It’s very refreshing – a perfect summer beer, we think.”

Shuler adds that he and Townsell were looking to brew a nice summer beer and figured out how to make it after a trip to the grocery store.

“Chris and I talked about a nice summer beer that was both approachable and fun,” he says. “We kicked around a few ideas that work brew well on Chris’ 10bbl brewhouse and decided on a summer kolsch.  But we also wanted to make is special so we decided on blending the beer on some exotic and tropical fruit. After roaming around the grocery store we decided that mango and passionfruit would compliment the beer really well. We anticipate and expect a nice crisp and clean kolsch base and soft tropical aromas and flavors and around 5% alcohol. And I am hoping I can talk Chris into wearing a hula skirt for the event to serve the beer.”

While at Paws at the Pub, you can also learn about Paws in the Park, the SPCA’s signature event. Learn more the event, grab posters, lawn signs and fundraising materials and get $5 off by pre-registering that day. Paws in the Park invites people to come with (or without) their dog for a scenic two-mile walk at Beaver Island State Park and will be held on September 22.

This is a free event and open to all ages. For more information, please visit http://yourspca.org/paws-at-the-pub, visit the Buffalo Brewpub or call 716-875-7360 ext. 243. The Buffalo Brewpub is located at 6861 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221.

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. 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), Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague) and www.buffalobeerleague.com.