On the eve of the official grand opening of Resurgence Brewing’s new state-of-the-art 25,000 square foot brewery in the Old First Ward, part of me cannot help but feel like a proud parent. It’s really a tired cliché, but they grow up so fast, don’t they? I remember sending a message on Twitter to RBC Owner Jeff Ware (I didn’t have high hopes of him responding), which led to myself, and a number of other Buffalo Beer Leaguers, touring a vastly underdeveloped Niagara Street location he was planning on turning into a brewery. Seriously, as I drank early batches of Loganberry Wit and Sponge Candy Stout from growlers, there wasn’t even a floor in the brewery. Now they are coming off their fifth anniversary and are opening a second location.

Like I said, they grow up so fast, don’t they?

Resurgence’s new home at 55 Chicago Street will hold their grand opening this weekend, July 11-14. Starting at 3pm on Thursday, the weekend-long celebration will feature Beer Slushies (Frozen Loganberry Wit anyone?) and live music from The Burkharts and Mayday Buffalo with Earth Rider and The Fredtown Stompers performing Friday. Saturday will feature a live DJ, giveaways and a specialty food menu as well.

There will be four can releases Saturday, including R&D IPA 18 DDH Citmo (double dry-hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Vic Secret & Columbus Cryo hops), Head in the Clouds DIPA (cans Saturday, draft Friday), R&D 19 DDH New England IPA (heavy Citra/Mosaic additions in the whirlpool, DDH with Citra Cryo, Amarillo & Galaxy for aromas of soft fruit, peach and candied hops) (draft Thursday, cans Saturday) and Legend of the Cone Mosaic IPA. All four can releases are available for preorder now at HopMule. Regular cans of The Surge NEIPA, Citmo IPA, Cosmic Truth Session IPA and Resurgence IPA will be available as well.

Draft options planned throughout the weekend include Tropical Wit (Pineapple & Kiwi puree infused witbier, rich pineapple nose balanced with candied sweetness from the kiwi) (Thursday), a pair of fruited sours (Key Lime Pie, Raspberry Lemonade) (Friday) and Pineapple Grapefruit Pilsner (available all weekend).

To think that that quick DM has led to a years-long friendship with Ware still blows my mind, as well as with former RBC brewers Dave Collins (now of 42 North Brewing) and Erik Greiner (now of Belt Line Brewery). It makes me cycle through the seemingly endless trove of memories I’ve made thanks to the brewery – from brewing beers together – Brett B Pale Ale, Skittlebrau (brewed with lemon and lime Skittles) and Unbelievably Juicy Jelly Bean IPA (brewed with Starburst Tropical Jelly Beans) – to countless Kegs & Eggs, anniversaries, beer releases, BBL events, suiting up for the Niagara St. grand opening, wearing the ‘Last Call’ siren hardhat, verticals of 2014-2018 Imperial Sponge Candy Stout and 2015-2018 BBA Imperial Sponge Candy Stout, and so much more. Too many to list. And that’s not even to mention all of the great beer over the years. That’s another story. Maybe I’ll write that too.

To sum things up, it’s been a hell of a ride. Over a half decade of good times and great beer are in the books and now it’s time to make a slate of new ones at the Cooperage. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it. I’ll see you all in the Old First Ward this weekend.

For more information on opening weekend, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/879239205768533.

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 for Step Out Buffalo. 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) and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).