Four breweries rooted in Buffalo’s Old First Ward neighborhood have once again come together for “4 the Ward,” a collaborative project and community initiative designed to give back to the neighborhood they proudly call home.
Resurgence Brewing, Frequentem Brewing, BriarBrothers Brewing, and Old First Ward Brewing (Gene McCarthy’s) have each brewed their own unique pale ale under the shared “4 the Ward” banner. While each beer reflects the individual style of its brewery, all four are united by a common goal: supporting the Old First Ward community.
From Feb. 5 through Mar. 31, guests can visit all four participating breweries, each located in the Old First Ward. Enjoy a pint of each brewery’s 4 the Ward Pale Ale and collect a stamp at every stop. Once the stamp card is completed and turned in, $4 will be donated to the Old First Ward Community Center and participants will receive a commemorative “4 the Ward” pint glass.
Resurgence’s take on the 4 the Ward Pale Ale features an old-school approach with house Pilsner (a blend of North American and European Pilsner), along with Munich malt and a touch of biscuit malt to create a subtle toasted cracker flavor in the malt character. At 6%, it’s light and drinkable.
“For us at Resurgence, continuing this collaboration is really about neighborhood pride and showing up for the Old First Ward in a tangible way,” Madeline Mulholland, Resurgence’s community engagement manager, said. “All four breweries are deeply rooted here, and while we each have our own style and perspective, we share the same neighborhood, customers, and sense of responsibility to the community. Coming together for 4 the Ward is a reminder that collaboration over competition can have a real, positive impact, especially when it directly supports the Old First Ward.”
BriarBrothers says that, this year, they wanted to do something a little different, opting for a classic American Pale Ale. It’s clean, balanced, and hop-forward with bright citrus and subtle pine with a crisp finish.
“Bringing 4 The Ward back again this year was an easy decision for us. This collaboration has grown into something that’s much bigger than just beer – it’s about community, connection, and giving back to a neighborhood that continues to support all of us,” Joel Betti, BriarBrothers Brewing, said. “The Old First Ward has a deep sense of pride and history, and this project allows local breweries to come together, celebrate that spirit, and directly support the Old First Ward Community Center. Continuing the collaboration felt important because it reinforces that shared commitment and keeps the focus on community impact, not competition.
Frequentem Brewing says they are also trying something new this year – a dry-hopped modern West Coast Pale Ale, brewed with pilsner malt and Citra hops.
For more information on participating breweries and how to take part, visit:
Resurgence Brewing
- https://www.resurgencebrewing.com/
- Instagram: @resurgencebrewingco
- Facebook: Resurgence Brewing Company
Frequentem Brewing
- https://frequentembrewing.com/
- Instagram: @frequentembrewingco_buf
- Facebook: Frequentem Brewing Co. Buffalo
BriarBrothers Brewing
- https://briarbrothersbrewing.com/
- Instagram: @briarbrothersbrewing
- Facebook: BriarBrothers Brewing Company
Old First Ward
- https://www.genemccarthys.com/
- Instagram: @genes_ofwbrewery
- Facebook: Gene McCarthy’s/Old First Ward Brewing Co.
“At the end of the day, 4 The Ward is about people coming together—stopping into different breweries, supporting local businesses, and knowing that every pint is helping give back to a community that means a lot to us. That’s what keeps us excited to be part of it year after year,” Betti added.
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).
