As ambassadors of Buffalo beer, we at the Buffalo Beer League drank our fair share of locally crafted goodness last year. Whether it was at one of the year’s many killer events, from the Buffalo Brewers Festival to Buffalo on Tap, during Buffalo Beer Week and Farm to Pint Week, or during one of our many trips to a brewery, we imbibed on many a memorable brew in 2017. And we’d like to share those offerings with you.

2017 was yet another banner year for Buffalo beer. From the openings of Riverworks Brewing at Buffalo Riverworks, Pressure Drop Brewing in the Barrel Factory, SATO Brewpub, West Shore Brewing in Clarence and the 42 Below Barrel Room at 42 North Brewing to the expansion of Buffalo Brewing Company and milestone anniversaries for Pearl Street Brewing, Community Beer Works and Woodcock Brothers Brewing, this last year featured a number of notable local beer happenings. And that’s not even to mention big beer news like 12 Gates Brewing teaming up with 103.3 The Edge for a new beer and New York Beer Project partnering with Perry’s Ice Cream for a series of new ice cream inspired beers.

And now, without further ado, I present Buffalo Beer League’s Favorite Beers of 2017. I, along with fellow BBL co-founder Scott McMillan sat down over a few cold ones to hash this list out.

12 Gates Brewing Company – Mountains of the Moon IPA, Resting Peach Face Berliner Weisse (Community Beer Works collaboration)

42 North Brewing Company – The Wanderer White Wine Barrel Aged Sour, Enforcer Mandarina DIPA

Big Ditch Brewing Company – Packet, FIP, Gin Barrel Aged Beautiful River

Buffalo Brewing Company – 1817 DIPA, 1976 Grodziskie

Buffalo Brewpub – Buffalo Breakfast Stout

Buffalo RiverWorks – Rejuvenator IPA, NYS Rye Pale Ale

Community Beer Works – Thick & Sticky DIPA, Milkshake IPA, Banana Split Milkshake Hefeweizen

Ellicottville Brewing Company – Oak Aged Pants DIPA, 219 Series: Tart IPA

Five and 20 Spirits and Brewing – Barleywine, Imperial Stout

Flying Bison Brewing Company – Juice Caboose IPA, Funky Vintner Saison, Low Gear Session IPA, Oaked Juice Caboose IPA

Four Mile Brewing – Pale Ale

Gene McCarthy’s Brewery & Kitchen (Old First Ward Brewing) – #Mashtag IPA, Toke Smoked Rye Lager, Citra Maxima (SATO Brewpub collaboration)

Gordon Biersch – Barrel Aged Winterbock

Hamburg Brewing Company – Honey Ale with Black Currants, Tax Relief IPA

New York Beer Project – Thee Barleywine

Pan Am Grill & Brewery – Single Hop Nugget IPA

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery – Liquid Courage Imperial Stout

Pressure Drop Brewing – Space Monkey Double IPA

Resurgence Brewing Company – White Wine Barrel Aged Head in the Clouds DIPA, R&D Cryo IPA, Imperial Pumpkin

Rusty Nickel Brewing Co. – Spot on the Naughty List Sour Saison

SATO Brewpub – Urban Samurai IPA, Winter Samurai IPA

Southern Tier Brewing Company – Phreshie IPA

Thin Man Brewery – Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Forever Cordial, DDH No Pressure IPA

Westshore Brewing Company – Historic Rail Pale Ale

Windy Brew – Red Cream Ale, PTSD IPA, Bohemian Pilsner

Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company – XPA 9, Galaxy Mosaic XPA, Barrel Aged Belgian Rye w/Brett & Tart Cherries

With 2017 now in the books, 2018 is already shaping up to one hell of a ride for local beer. In addition to the Buffalo Niagara Brewers Invitational returning, along with tent pole events like Buffalo Beer Week, Buffalo Brewers Festival and Farm to Pint Week, 2018 will also host the inaugural Can-Am Beer Festival. Beyond that, MyCity Brew will release their long-awaited ultimate Buffalo beer, Big Ditch is expanding their brewing capabilities, Community Beer Works is moving to a new location and opening a new three-story brewpub in Niagara Falls, Frost Brewing and Stillhouse Brewing are on the horizon, plus who knows what else will pop up. Now is a great time to be a fan of Buffalo beer.

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.