Buffalonians have come to love craft beer over the past decade and a half, but it hasn’t just changed our culture — it’s also shaped our economy.

On July 18th at 7pm, The Terrace at Delaware Park will host a live panel discussion featuring five members of the craft beer community, pioneers who helped bring craft brews to Buffalo as well as professionals helping the industry thrive today. The panelists are:

  • Ethan Cox, Founder and Owner of Community Beer Works
  • Dan Moar, Co-Chair of the Brewery and Distillery Practice Group at Goldberg Segalla
  • Brian Nelson, Founder and Manager of Village Beer Merchant
  • Dan Robinson, Head of Craft Beer at Try-It Distributing
  • Mike Shatzel, Owner of Shatzel Group restaurants and Thin Man Brewery

Matt Davison, Managing Partner of Martin Davison Public Relations and Publisher of WNY Craft Beer Mag, will moderate the panel, leading the discussion and facilitating a question-and-answer session with the guests.

The panel event will serve as the official launch of Counterpoint, a Buffalo-based online platform for cross-disciplinary and multimedia “conversations.” Each month the editors will invite qualified writers to weigh in on important topics — like regional transportation, taxes and government spending, education reform, the arts — and present these diverse perspectives and ideas in illuminating ways. Photojournalism, video interviews, poetry, music, visual art, and spoken word performances will supplement each issue.

The event is free and open to the public and will feature a cash bar with 12 local craft beers on tap as well as cans and bottles from many local craft breweries. DJs Shane and Tone will spin funk and soul platters while the Terrace staff will be on hand to serve food to order. The first 200 guests will receive commemorative coasters that will act as punch cards — each is worth $2 off a draft or flight at all of eight participating breweries.

The event sponsor is Waterbourne Group of Companies, comprised of Waterbourne Real Estate Advisors, LLC and Waterbourne Construction Advisors, LLC.

For more information, head over to https://www.facebook.com/events/825172227640736.