Waldfest: Festival in the Woods Returns to East Aurora

It’s that time of year again – time to gather together in the woods and toast giant mugs of traditional German beer. Yes, you guessed it – it’s once again time for Waldfest, the annual Festival in the Woods, which takes place on July 19, 12-7 pm, at Spring Garden Park (3838 Two Rod Road, East Aurora). The German American Musicians and the Polka Boyz will provide authentic German music and food will be available on-site as will plenty of authentic German beers. There is also free parking. Tickets are $15 in advance or $30 at the gate. For tickets, and more information, visit SpringGarden.com. This is a rain-or-shine event. You can purchase tickets online this year here.

Buy a Nickel City Brewz Gift Card For 50% Off

If you’ve yet to check out Nickel City Brewz in Depew, or are just looking for a great reason to stop back in for a few pints, Daytime Buffalo is giving you the chance to do so by offering a $50 gift certificate to the craft beer bar for only $25 (you will receive two $25 certificates). “Nickel City BrewZ combines the best traits of a craft-beer bottle shop, a neighborhood bar, and a social hangout,” the offer says. “Their rotating taps and to-go options make it flexible and fun to experience the best of the Buffalo brewing community.” You can purchase yours here while supplies last.

Buffalo Barrels & Brews at Butera’s With Buffalo Distilling

Butera’s, Buffalo Distilling and the Village Brew House are teaming up to host a special night of craft beer, food and whiskey – Buffalo Barrel & Brews – on June 30 (6 pm). There will be complimentary bourbon tastings from Buffalo Distilling and beer samplings from Village Brew House, as well as a presentation exploring the history of bourbon and brewing in Buffalo. Throughout the evening, there will be featured bourbon cocktails, draft beer specials and more. The event is free and open to the public – reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

Wines in the Wild Returns to the Buffalo Zoo

Wines in the Wild returns to the Buffalo Zoo on June 18 (5-8 pm). The special event features beverage and food sampling from local wineries, cideries, meaderies and breweries, as well as live music, special appearances from the Zoo’s animal ambassadors and more, all spread throughout the grounds of the Buffalo Zoo. The event will feature Brazen Brewing, Mortalis Brewing, Lilly Belle Meads, Rusty Nickel, OSB Ciderworks, and more. Funds raised from Wines in the Wild will go directly to supporting the Buffalo Zoo. General admission tickets are $55, designated drivers tickets are $25 and VIP are $75 (early entry). You can purchase tickets here.

Flying Bison Night at the Ballpark at Sahlen Field

Flying Bison Brewing is hitting the field on June 18 for Flying Bison Night at the Ballpark at Sahlen Field on Thursday, June 18. The festivities start at 5:30 pm with a beer sampling with Flying Bison founder and Godfather of Buffalo craft beer, Tim Herzog, at the Fattey Craft Beer Corner before he throws out the ceremonial first pitch. Then, as the Buffalo Bisons take on the Charlotte Knights at 6:35 pm, fans can purchase 16oz. Buffalo Lager cans at Concessions 116, 100, and 111 throughout the game. Tickets for the game are $10 and can be purchased here.

The Pickle Party at The Lock Tender

The Lock Tender is celebrating all things pickle at The Pickle Party on June 20. The event will feature more than 30 sour, pastry sour, fruited beer and cider tastings from Mortalis, Drekker, Prairie Artisan Ales, Other Half, Urban Artifact, Spyglass, Heavy Reel, Dewey, Beer Tree, Rising Storm, Prison City, Big Ditch and more. Tickets are $30 and include 12 4-ounce tasting samples, commemorative tasting glass, one $5 draft beer and 15% off food and to-go beer purchases. There will also be a special pickle-themed menu, tapping of The Lock Pickler, a new collaboration with Talking Cursive Brewing, and live music from the FAR Trio. Tickets can be purchased at www.thelocktender.com/events.

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).

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In case you haven’t noticed, the non-alcoholic craft beverage sector has undergone quite the glow up as of late. No longer just a token offering for designated drivers, it’s now a fast-growing segment of the beverage industry – redefining what it means to enjoy a cold one – from NA craft beer and ciders to hop water, seltzers and mocktails. The sober curious movement is in full swing, and a number of local breweries are taking notice.

Non-alcoholic beer is brewed just like traditional beer, using water, malt, hops, and yeast and must contain less than 0.5% ABV. And while you might be sitting there reading this and scoffing at the idea of NA beer, rest assured that this new wave of NA isn’t anything like your dad’s NA beers – you can find non-alcoholic versions of stouts, IPAs, hefeweizens, and more. These aren’t flavorless fizzy lagers anymore.

While modern-day movements like Dry January and Sober October have certainly helped spur on the non-alcoholic resurgence, the reasons behind it are actually plenty. In addition to improved taste, expanded offerings and enhanced brewing techniques, drinkers are more mindful and conscious about what they consume.

The global non-alcoholic beer market is projected to exceed $40 billion by 2030, according to some forecasts. While major brands like Heineken, Budweiser, and Guinness have launched their own zero-alcohol lines and dedicated NA brands like Athletic Brewing and Go Brewing are thriving, the local non-alcoholic scene is booming, and here are a handful of options to quench your sober curiosity.

NA Trainwreck Amber and NA Sabre’s Edge Double IPA

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery – 76 Pearl St., Buffalo

Pearl Street is embracing the art of NA craft beer with Trainwreck, a German Amber Ale, and Sabre’s Edge, a Double IPA. The former is light-bodied, smooth and malty with a cereal note, while the latter is hoppy and light, so light in fact, you will not know you are actually drinking a Double IPA. Both are available on draft, while Trainwreck is available in cans.

Hella Fresh Hop Water

Riverworks Brewing – 359 Ganson St., Buffalo

Hop water is basically sparkling water flavored with hops, but unlike beer, it has no alcohol, no malt, and usually no calories or sugar. And Riverworks’ Hella Fresh is one of the best around locally. Brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops, it’s refreshing, thirst-quenching, actually flavorful and hydrating, all at the same time. Hella Fresh is available in cans.

NA Blueberry Wheat

Ellicottville Brewing – 28 Monroe St., Ellicottville

EBC’s non-alcoholic version of their flagship Blueberry Wheat Ale is everything you’d expect from this beer, just minus the alcohol. It’s light, crisp and refreshing with notes of blueberry. Like I said, this beer offers everything you’ve come to expect from the more traditional Blueberry Wheat, without the booze. NA Blueberry Wheat is available in cans.

NA Burner

Big Ditch Brewing – 55 E. Huron St., Buffalo

When it was first released in late 2024, NA Burner marked Buffalo’s first canned non-alcoholic beer in nearly a century. It’s light-bodied and closer in nature to Dayburner Session IPA with notes of citrus, orange peel and melon. This beer finishes clean. NA Burner is one of the standard bearers of local NA offerings. You can find it in cans.

Hop Falls Hop Water

Butera’s Village Brew House – 32 Main St., Hamburg

Butera’s Village Brew House non-alcoholic Hop Water is hopped with New Zealand Superdelic hops, lightly carbonated and crushable with a soft fruit note and light bitterness. According to head brewer Andrew Hardin, the use of pelletized hops, as opposed to extracts, provides a more natural and less refined flavor. He adds that the brewery may expand to use more hops in the future in their hop water. Butera’s Hop Water is available in cans.

Downshift IPA

Southern Tier Brewing – 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood, 7 Scott St., Buffalo

Southern Tier Brewing’s first non-alcoholic beer, Downshift IPA, features all of the hallmarks of a traditional American IPA, just without the alcohol. This is a West Coast-style NA that’s crisp, clean and hoppy with notes of citrus and berry. Downshift IPA is on draft at all of Southern Tier’s taprooms, as well as in 6-pack 12oz. cans wherever great beer is sold.

All In IPA

Other Half Brewing Buffalo – 1 Seneca St., Buffalo

Other Half Brewing has released a new non-alcoholic IPA, All In, brewed with Citra, Simcoe, and Centennial, to drink like a real Other Half IPA. “You asked for it, we answered: All In Hazy Non-Alcoholic IPA. No shortcuts. No compromises. It’s not like any NA IPA you’ve tried before. Because it actually tastes good,” the brewery said. All In is available in 6-pack 12oz. cans at all Other Half taprooms, select retailers, and online for at-home delivery.

Tropical & Citrus Hop Waters

New York Beer Project – 6933 S. Transit Rd., Lockport, NYBP Beer Lodge, 245 Windward Rd., Orchard Park

New York Beer Project is getting in on the action with a pair of hop waters. Tropical Hop Water is brewed with Galaxy and Idaho 7 hops with passion fruit and guava. It’s fruit forward, dry, clean and crisp. Citrus Hop Water is brewed with Motueka and Citra hops with combination with lemon, Lime and grapefruit. It’s hop forward, dry, clean and crisp. In addition to no alcohol, hop water has no calories, carbs, sugar or gluten. These are both available on draft.

Betty AF & Brewers Water

Brazen Brewing – 5839 Genesee St., Lancaster

Brazen’s Betty AF is an alcohol free version of their hard seltzer Total Betty (passion fruit, peach, strawberry and orange) and Brewers Water is a hop water brewed with Citra hops. Both are on draft at the brewery.

Non-alcoholic beer is no longer just a compromise—it’s a choice. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just want to enjoy a beer without the buzz, the non-alcoholic revolution means you no longer have to sit on the sidelines. You’re drinking beer—just differently.

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).

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Resurgence Brewing Apps & Taps on the Patio Giveaway

Resurgence and Step Out Buffalo have teamed up for a special Apps & Taps on the Patio giveaway ($100 brewery gift card). “Grab your crew and head to Resurgence for a large menu of bar food and in-house beers and cocktails,” Step Out Buffalo said. “Enjoy everything from their nachos and giant pretzel to banana pepper dip and wings. Plus, Resurgence has brunch available every Saturday and Sunday until 2 pm. On the menu you’ll find beermosas, bloody marys, their Brewer’s Breakfast Plate and more.” To enter, click here and enter your name and email. The contest runs through August 2.

Southern Tier Drops Maple Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout

It’s only July, but Southern Tier Brewing is looking ahead to the fall with the release of their Maple Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout, which features rich maple and pumpkin pie flavors with dark chocolate and roasted coffee notes. “A new force has emerged from the shadows – Maple Warlock has arrived! This imperial stout weaves rich maple and pumpkin pie flavors with dark chocolate and roasted coffee notes, luring you in for a spellbinding sip. The Dark Side just got sweeter,” the brewery said. Look for Maple Warlock in bottles and draft wherever great craft beer is sold. Pumking and Caramel Pumking are also available.

Run 716 Beer Mile Returns to Flying Bison

The Run 716 Beer Mile and 15K & Relay is coming to Flying Bison Brewing on August 3 (9:30 am) and 4 (7:16 am). The beer mile is a 1-mile drinking event on a 1/4-mile course in the parking lots and streets surrounding the brewery. It begins by drinking a 12oz. beer, followed by a full lap of the course, which is then repeated for 4 laps. Registration is limited to 75. More information can be found here. All participants will be served Flying Bison’s RUN 716 Belgian-style Ale. There will be a post-run party at the taproom with live music.

Butera’s Village Brew House Introduces New Hop Water

Butera’s Village Brew House is introducing a new non-alcoholic Hop Water, hopped with New Zealand Superdelic hops. This hop water is lightly carbonated and crushable with a soft fruit note and light bitterness. According to head brewer Andrew Hardin, the use of pelletized hops, as opposed to extracts, provides a more natural and less refined flavor. He adds that the brewery may expand to use more hops in the future in their hop water. Butera’s Hop Water will be available in cans soon at the brewery.

Beer Justice Brewing Third Anniversary

Arcade’s Beer Justice Brewing is turning three and they are celebrating on August 8. The party will feature live music from Taven (7-10 pm), $5 pints all night and the brewery will be serving a new Meatlover’s pizza. Find out what the brewery has on tap here. “Beer Justice turns 3 in August and we’re throwing a party on the 8th that you won’t want to miss!” the brewery said. “Come raise a glass with us and celebrate 3 years of good beer, good food, and great people. See you there!” In August 2022, Beer Justice Brewing opened the first every brewery in Arcade at 3 Hurdville Road.

Second Annual NYS Craft Beer Open Golf Tournament

K2 Brothers Brewing and Mortalis Brewing have come together once again to host the second annual New York State Craft Beer Open tournament, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the NYS Brewers Association, at Midvale Country Club in Penfield on August 11. The cost to enter is $200 per person ($800 per foursome), which includes access to the driving range, greens fees, golf cart, lunch, tee gift, reception and awards ceremony, craft beer and refreshments on the course and more. You can register for the event here.

Hamburg Brewing 12^th Anniversary Party

Make it a dozen years for Hamburg Brewing as they celebrate their 12^th anniversary on September 13 (12 pm). The event will feature live music from Breakaway (4 – 6:30 pm) and Nineties by Nature (7 – 9:30 pm), multiple bars, food specials, and more. There will be a $10 cover at the door for the event, which can be paid via cash or Venmo. All attendees must be 21+ to drink beer, wine or liquor. Cover charge is also for those 21+. No dogs allowed.

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).

The post Buffalo Beer Buzz: Resurgence Giveaway, Run716, Beer Justice & Hamburg Brewing Anniversaries, Southern Tier Pumking & Warlock, NYS Craft Beer Open Golf Tournament, Butera’s Hop Water appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Big Ditch and Theatre District Association Brew New Beer

Big Ditch Brewing and the Theatre District Association of Western New York have teamed up on a new kolsch, Open Curtain, which will serve as the official beer of the Theatre District Association’s new season. The beer is a 5.3% easy drinking, slightly fruity and bready, German-style lager/ale hybrid. Or as Big Ditch says, it’s a “beverage that pairs wonderfully with drama, comedy and everything in between.” Open Curtain will be available starting Friday, Sept. 13 at Curtain Up on Main St. It will also be available at theatres and restaurants in the Buffalo Theatre District all season long, as well as at the brewery.

Hamburg Brewing 11^th Anniversary Party

Hamburg Brewing is throwing it back to the 90s to celebrate their 11^th anniversary on Sept. 14 (12pm). The event will feature 90s fashion, live music from IOT Band (1pm), South City Band (4pm) and Nineties by Nature (7pm), multiple bars, food specials, and more, including Dunk the Brewer, a new carnival style dunking game features Hamburg Brewing’s brew staff. There will be a $10 cover at the door for the event.

Oktoberfest Celebration in Jackson Square with Eli Fish

Eli Fish Brewing is celebrating Oktoberfest on Sept. 14 in Batavia at Jackson Square. The brewery will have a beer trailer set up in the square pouring German beers, including Oktoberfest and Festbier, a traditional Bavarian food stand serving bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzels, and more, pizza from Matty’s Pizza, games including stein-holding, vendors, traditional German music by the German-American Musicians, traditional dance performances and more. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and can be purchased here.

Food & Beer Pairing at Butera’s / Village Brew House

Butera’s Craft Beer & Craft Pizza in Hamburg are hosting a Food & Beer Pairing on Sept. 19. The event will feature five courses, each paired with a different Village Brew House beer. The pairings include VBH ‘Merica Lite Lager and Tomato Bruschetta, VBH Pizza Cake Pilsner and Pear & Prosciutto Flatbread, VBH Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It and Orange Citrus Chicken Salad, VBH Use Your Illusion and Steak & Roasted Potatoes and VBH Pandemic Porter and Chocolate Raspberry Flourless Torte. Tickets are $75 per person, including gratuity. Reservations can be made at 716-648-5017.

Buffalo Beer Goddesses 12^th Anniversary Party

The Buffalo Beer Goddesses are celebrating a dozen years of supporting women and promoting diversity in the beer industry on Sept. 19 at Mr. Goodbar. Admission is $10 (cash) for non-members and $5 (cash) for members and includes Goodbar chicken wings, food provided by BBG members, and drink samples from local vendors. The first 50 attendees also get their first pint of beer on the BBGs. Anyone who identifies as a woman/NB person interested in joining as a member, speak with a BBG officer at the door to find out how to register. The party is also open to non-members.

New Buffalo Bills Beers at Mortalis, Other Half & Sad Boys

The new football season is in full swing and with it comes a plethora of Buffalo Bills-themed beers. There are so many to choose from locally, and that list continues to grow with new beers at Mortalis Brewing, Other Half and Sad Boys Brewing. Mortalis’ Gemini: Circle the Wagons is a fruited smoothie sour brewed with blueberry, raspberry, marshmallow, and walnut. Sad Boys Mafia Made Man American Ale features aromas of toasted bread and notes of caramel and nuts, and Other Half’s Brocpile Imperial IPA, brewed with Citra, Motueka, Comet, and Vic Secret hops, and Tables on Tables IPA, brewed with Citra, Strata and El Dorado hops, are back for the new season. All beers can be found at their respective taprooms on draft and in 16oz. 4-pack cans to go.

Smoldered Society Releases New Version of Illusion of Safety DIPA

Smoldered Society has released a new version of their flagship double IPA, Illusion of Safety. The beer features Cashmere and Sabro hops in the boil, dry hop additions of Cashmere, Citra Cryo, and Motueka hops, with additional Phantasm Powder added. It features notes of candied stone fruit, white grape, and citrus zest. You can find Illusion of Safety right now The Beer Keep, Mr. Goodbar, Colter Bay, Moor Room, Moor Pat, Allen Burger Venture and all Buffalo area Fattey Beer locations.

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).

The post Buffalo Beer Buzz: New Beer at Big Ditch & Smoldered Society, Eli Fish Oktoberfest, Butera’s Beer Dinner, Hamburg & Beer Goddess Anniversaries, New Bills Beers appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Village Brew House Coming to Butera’s Craft Beer & Craft Pizzas in Hamburg

After transforming a portion of their banquet hall into a brewhouse, which features a 1bbl system with six fermenters, Butera’s Craft Beer & Craft Pizzas is adding the Village Brew House. Owner Jimmy Butera, along with brewers Craig Lucas and Jayson Schultz, will debut their new venture on September 12. Plans call for Village Brew House to occupy 6-8 taps, beginning with an American Light Lager. They are working with Koester Hops Farm in North Collins on a double dry-hopped Wet Hop Ale, named Kirsch IPA, and a fresh-fruited peach hefeweizen and raspberry porter are also reportedly in the works.

42 North Brewing to Open “Outposts” in Ellicottville and Buffalo

It won’t be long before you can score 42 North’s 42 Below barrel-aged concoctions in both Ellicottville and Downtown Buffalo as the brewery has announced plans to open “The Outpost – EVL” and “The Outpost – BUF,” alongside Ellicottville Coffee Company and Buffalo Distilling Company, respectively. The Outpost – EVL opens September 11 (3pm) at Ellicottville Coffee Company and the Outpost – BUF, located inside Buffalo Distilling Company, will open later this month. You will be able to purchase beers from 42 Below Barrel House and from other regional breweries. 42 North will also host sampling events and special beer releases at both locations.

Sour Beer Week Coming to Resurgence Brewing Niagara Street

Sour beer is taking over the taps at Resurgence Brewing’s Niagara Street location this week with (September 9-13). In addition to nine sours on draft (Watermelon Gose, Pina Colada Sour, Ward Rainbow Sour, Fruit Pursuit, Purple Pineapple Eaters, Pina Colada Berry Twist, Arnold Palmer Sour, Happy Lila, Berry Lemonade Sour), there will be casks – Painkiller Sour (Thursday at 4:30pm), Happy Lila Aged on Mint (Friday at 4:30pm) and Blueberry Jalapeno Sour (Saturday at 1pm). Cans of Pina Colada, Ward Rainbow and Fruit Pursuit will also be available for purchase. There will be limited supplies of each beer and crowler specials.

Community Beer Works to Release Rio Red Grapefruit Frank

Community Beer Works is adding a new spin to their flagship Frank Pale Ale with the release of Dry-Hopped Rio Red Grapefruit Radler (16oz. 4pks. $14.99) on September 11 (3pm). This version of Frank adds a dose of fresh Rio Red Grapefruit (described as sweet and addicting) and a heaping of dry-hopped Lemondrop and Citra hops to the mellow malt base of this crisp American Pale Ale. In addition, CBW is releasing a fresh batch of cans of Frank for the occasion. Preorder begins at 8pm on Thursday, September 10. Order ahead of time for curbside pickup or home delivery.

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

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