In a prime example of just how fast time flies, it has been one year since Southern Tier Brewing Company, one of the forefathers of the Western New York craft beer scene, opened up shop in downtown Buffalo inside the former 716 Food and Sport. The brewery will celebrate their first anniversary on September 17.

STBC Buffalo’s first anniversary party will features a Steal the Pint Giveaway (first 150 guests will receive specialty glassware), live music from DJ Milk & Crew (6pm), specialty drink cocktails like the Birthday Cake Cocktail and Confetti Caketini (Martini), complementary toast (7pm), taproom banner “birthday card” to sign that will be displayed in the taproom and free birthday cake.

“Southern Tier Brewing Company originally started in Lakewood, New York, on the cusp of the Southern Tier of New York State,” Meg Lawrence, manager, Southern Tier Brewing, said. “Having a home in downtown Buffalo has been a privilege to grow alongside the Canalside, Cobblestone, and Downtown district. We’re thankful for the taproom patrons that have visited us in our first year and look forward to having this great city experience what we have to offer Buffalo.”

With locations in Pittsburgh, Charlotte and Cleveland, in addition to their Lakewood home, STBC owner and found Phin DeMink said it only made sense to open a location in Buffalo, when the time was right. DeMink says that, after 716 was shuttered due to the pandemic, the space was the perfect location for STBc to expand downtown.

“Since we opened our doors in 2002, Buffalo has been one of our top markets,” DeMink said. “We’ve always viewed Buffalo as home and always wanted a physical presence in the Buffalo market. We were looking for the right spot to share our great brands with our many friends and fans who have been such loyal supporters of Southern Tier over the years. We believe we finally found the perfect location.”

Pegula Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Kim Pegula agrees that Southern Tier Brewing Company is the right tenant to take over ownership of the space.

“We are confident that Phin, Sara and their team will enhance the great experience our fans have come to expect by doing what they do best, serving them their favorite locally brewed craft beers along with a new menu of hand-crafted, beer-inspired food items and appetizers,” Pegula said.

If you’re planning on heading to the anniversary party and are looking for a great pairing, might I suggest either the Southern Tier 2XHaze or Buffalo Brew’d American Lager and the Big BUF Burger or Double Smash Cheeseburger. They’re both quite good. And if a burger isn’t your thing, don’t sleep on the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. It’s fantastic as well.

Happy birthday Southern Tier Buffalo! You look good for your age.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/stbcbeerBUF.

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 Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).