Latest Buffalo Beer Buzz:

Voting Period for Buffalo News’ Best of 716 Opens

Voting is open for The Buffalo News’ Best of 716 and there are plenty of beer-related categories to vote in. Big Ditch Brewing, Brewed And Bottled, Fattey Beer, Griffon Gastropub and New York Beer Project are up for Best Beer List, Hamburg Brewing, Big Ditch, Resurgence Brewing, Wayland Brewing and New York Beer Project are up for Best Brewery and Brewed And Bottled, Consumer’s Beverages, Premier Gourmet and Fattey Beer are up for Best Beer Store. Other nominations include Gene McCarthy’s (Best Irish Bar), Fattey Beer (Best Neighborhood Bar), Johnson’s Landing (Best Rooftop Bar), Best Brunch Location (New York Beer Project), Best German Restaurant (Hofbrauhaus), Best Brunch Location (Johnson’s Landing, Britesmith Brewing, Hamburg Brewing), Britesmith (Winter Outdoor Dining) and Jefferey Miranda (New York Beer Project) is nominated for Best Bartender. You can vote here through July 29. Winners will be announced on September 28.

Lilly Belle Meads, Magic Bear Beer Cellar Collab Release

Magic Bear Beer Cellar and Lilly Belle Meads are celebrating four years of collaborations on July 25 with the exclusive release and tasting of Strawberry HiBEARscus Lemonade, a slightly sweet and tart lemonade-style mead with a hint of hibiscus. Representatives from Lilly Belle will be on hand sampling the brand new collab and talking about mead in general. The event is free to attend. Samplings will be available and Strawberry HiBEARscus Lemonade will also be on tap at Magic Bear. The event runs 5-7pm.

Resurgence to the Rescue Beer Can Release Party

Resurgence Brewing’s annual Resurgence to the Rescue can release will take place on July 20 (12-4 pm). The release party will feature local pet vendors, adoptable dogs and cats, basket raffles, giveaways, silent auction, food, and the release of Gauge and Tum Tum’s special edition beer cans. All dogs are welcome and will receive a free pup cup. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue and the Ten Lives Club. The event is free to attend.

Big Ditch Brewing Backyard Tiki Party

Big Ditch is transforming their Beer Hall down on Ellicott Street into a tropical backyard paradise for their first ever Backyard Tiki Party on July 19 (3-9 pm). This special event will feature a pop-up tiki bar with island-style cocktails, lawn games like cornhole and giant Jenga, hula hoop contest, limbo contest, prizes for Best Dressed and Best Hawaiian Shirt, specialty tropical cocktails like tropical punches and Painkillers, food specials and a special tiki-inspired beer – Blue Hawaiian Burner (Pineapple Burner dyed blue with coconut and rum spices). The event is free to attend and open to all ages.

Dog Days of Summer, New Lager at Steel Leaf Brewing

Steel Leaf Brewing is going to the dogs on July 26 (12-7 pm) with their Dog Days of Summer event, which will feature a massive dog pool, adoptable dogs, local vendors and small businesses, basket raffles, Thank You bags filled with treats, toys and surprises for all dogs on hand, specialty drinks and food and more. The event is free to attend. Steel Leaf has also released a brand new flagship lager, BackYard Beer, the first of their new lager series. The beer is crisp and ultra-light that finishes dry. “Backyard Beer is crisp, clear, and easy like a summer day,” Steel Leaf said of the new beer. “A true 2-month lager that’s perfect for your cooler, your porch, or wherever you kick back.” Backyard Beer is available in 12oz. 6-pack cans.

Set Sail For Craft Brews Aboard the Spirit of Buffalo

Nothing says summer more than hitting the open waters with local craft beers in hand, two things you can do aboard the Spirit of Buffalo. Craft Brew Cruises set sail Thursdays (6-8pm) and feature a two-hour cruise, light snacks and locally-made beer from Rusty Nickel Brewing (July 17, August 21), Brazen Brewing (August 7) and Resurgence Brewing (August 14). Cruises are 21+ and cost $54 per person. You can purchase tickets here. You can find more information here.

Maizal and Big Ditch Pairing Dinner at RationAles

Rationales, Maizal Mexican Kitchen and Mezcaleria and Big Ditch Brewing are joining forces for a 5-course beer pairing dinner on July 30 at 6 pm. Each course will be paired with a different Big Ditch beer and a custom dish from Maizal. The menu includes Esquite Fritters and Little Waves Lager, Ceviche Con Fresas and Strawberry Vision Sour, Al Pastor Taco and Pineapple Burner IPA, Mole Negro and Excavator Rye Brown Ale and Pastel Imposible and Carrot Cake Winter Ale. Tickets are $55 and spots are limited. A $25 deposit per person is required when booking your reservation. Tickets can be purchased here. 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 X (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).