Route 219 stretches 535 miles from West Seneca to Rich Creek, Virginia, running through parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. The local expanse of the highway, which spans just over 67 miles, has become the connective tissue for a number of breweries that have dotted the map throughout the Southtowns.

From as far south as Ellicottville and all the way up the road to West Seneca, craft beer has migrated south of the city of Buffalo, and, if you didn’t know, there is some great liquid being created down there. There are nearly a dozen purveyors of craft strategically positioned near exits of the 219, making for an easily planned brewery crawl. Here’s a rundown of what exits to take to get to what breweries and what to drink while you’re there.

Exit: Ellicottville
Go Here: Ellicottville Brewing (8 Monroe St., Ellicottville), Steelbound Brewing (6600 US-219, Ellicottville), Wayland Brewing (23 Washington St., Ellicottville)
Drink This: EBC Cherry Wheat

Okay, I know Ellicottville isn’t technically an exit as much as it is the end of the freeway, but it’s become quite the craft beer hamlet. It’s easy to make a day, or weekend, of it there. Take the 219 out, stop at Steelbound on your way into town, then swing over to Ellicottville Brewing for lunch and a few pints. Grab a spot out in the beer garden, order a burger (or whatever you want, I’m not your doctor) and don’t forget a few fresh pints. A reminder that pints of Blueberry Wheat come with real blueberries in the beer. Then after that, drop by the West Rose Restaurant and head upstairs for pints at Wayland Brewing’s satellite taproom. A Full Send Citra IPA goes down smooth in the apres-ski themed taproom.

Exit: Springville/Gowanda
Go Here: Steelbound Brewery Springville (243 W Main St., Springville)
Drink This: Cherry Kolsch

If you find yourself in the Springville area, or are in the mood for a fresh Steelbound pint and don’t want to drive to Ellicottville, a stop into Steelbound Springville is the cure for your ills. Located in the former Papa Jake’s, just a stone’s throw from the 219, Steelbound Springville offers a full food and cocktail menu, along with a full tap list. If you’re looking for something light and altogether quaffable, grab a Cherry Kolsch or Easy Lager, or a Sponge Bomb DDH NEIPA if you want hops.

Exit: Genesee Road
Go Here: Mystic Hill Brewing (10959 Allen Rd., East Concord)
Drink This: Witches at Black Masses Black IPA

Tucked away in the hills of East Concord, Mystic Hills Brewing is one of the better-kept secrets around. If you don’t know where East Concord is, it’s just a drive down the 219 away. For only having been open a short time, they are making some quality liquids, like Witches at Black Masses, a black IPA brewed with Magnum, Centennial, and Cascade hops from EZ Acres Farm, and Midnight On Allen Road Oatmeal Stout, an American-style Oatmeal Stout with coffee and chocolate notes. Pro tip – grab a spot in the beer garden with a fresh pint and watch the sunset.

Exit: Boston/Hamburg
Go Here: Hamburg Brewing (6553 Boston State Rd., Hamburg)
Drink This: Lil Guy Session IPA

Hamburg Brewing is a true destination brewery and the Boston/Hamburg exit off the 219 will take you directly to it. From the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, ski lodge feel of the taproom and nearly unparalleled waterfront patio, Hamburg is quite the space. They are making some nice lagers, like Lake View Lager and Pond View Pilsner, both great to enjoy by the water.

Exit: Armor Duells Road/Chestnut Ridge Park
Go Here: First Line Brewing (4906 S Buffalo St, Orchard Park)
Drink This: Darkside Lager

Orchard Park’s First Line Brewing is right around the corner from the 219 and is worth a visit. From Everyday Lager and Darkside Lager to I Got Your 6 IPA and Bullseye NEIPA, you’ll find a variety of tastes here. And even if beer isn’t in your wheelhouse, pay a visit to Black Smoke Bourbon Bar, located inside First Line, for a fresh cocktail.

Exit: Mile Strip Road East/West
Go Here: New York Beer Project Beer Lodge (245 Windward Rd., Orchard Park), Wayland Brewing (3740 N. Buffalo St., Orchard Park)
Drink This: NYBP Neverland Pils & Hazy Train IPA, Wayland Errant Path Czech Pilsner

Orchard Park is home to a pair of gems in NYBP Beer Lodge and Wayland Brewing. The Beer Lodge is another destination complete with multiple taproom spaces, video walls, giant patio, fire pit, beer window and more, not to mention some great exclusive beers like OP Lager and Hazy Crush. Wayland Brewing is also a destination, with a massive beer garden, bocce court, long bar and more. On their tap wall, they have a pair of Lukr beer faucets that always pour lagers, but some of their best beers have been hazy IPAs.

Exit: Ridge Road East, West Seneca
Go Here: Rusty Nickel Brewing (4350 Seneca St., West Seneca), The Ridge West Seneca (555 Orchard Park Rd, West Seneca)
Drink This: The Ridge Oatsmobile Stout, Rusty Nickel Pumpernickel Porter

One Rt. 219 exit, two breweries – Rusty Nickel and The Ridge are right down the road from one another in West Seneca. The Ridge features old-world beer styles done well. Come for the beer and stay for a meal. It’s worth it. Rusty Nickel houses one of the best beer gardens in Western New York, a space Rusty Nickel has put a lot of time and effort into. They are making some lovely lagers and IPAs right now, so make sure you stay for a few pints.

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 Take A Drive Down Route 219 and Visit These Breweries appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Golf Buffalo Expo 2026 Comes to Pearl Street

The Golf Buffalo Expo is coming to Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (third and fourth floors) on March 14 (3-6 pm) with a beer and spirits tasting, a market of local golf brands and a Players Championship Viewing Party. Tickets are $35 and include beer and spirits tastings from 10 craft brands, commemorative tasting glass, Players Championship Watch Party, local golf market featuring small and independent golf brands and more. Tickets can be purchased here. Kids under 16 get in free.

William Mattar Offers $20 Rideshare Vouchers for St. Patrick’s Day

The law offices of William Mattar are offering free $20 rideshare discount vouchers to eligible registrants to ensure everyone makes it home safe for St. Patrick’s Day. Registration runs through March 12, or until all 1,500 vouchers are claimed, and individuals who complete the online registration form and meet eligibility requirements will receive a unique rideshare voucher redeemable on March 15 from 12 am through 7 pm. To claim a voucher, visit WilliamMattar.com.

First Line to Debut Collabs With No BS Brew, Eli Fish

First Line Brewing will debut a pair of new collaborations on Friday, March 13. Southern Diesel, a collab with Batavia’s Eli Fish Brewing, is a 6% southern New England IPA brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka hops, as well as lemon diesel terpenes, and A Cascade of Mosaic, a collab with No BS Brew Company, is a 5.5% dry hopped cream ale. Both beers will be available Friday on tap at First Line in Orchard Park, as well as at Eli Fish and No BS.

Frequentem Buffalo to Introduce Lager Wednesdays

Celebrate clear beer on Wednesdays in the Old First Ward at Frequentem Brewing Buffalo at Lager Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, the brewery will host lager specials, milk pours, liters and snacks. In honor of the inaugural event, the brewery is bringing back 12º Czech Pale Lager, a 12º single decoction Czech Pale Lager brewed with Saaz and lagered in horizontal lager tanks. 12º Czech Pale Lager is drinkable, approachable, crisp and lightly bready. Half liters of the beer will be $5 and they come with a free snack. The event is free and open to the public weekly.

Other Half Brewing Launches New Beer Series, Peak Season

Other Half Brewing is looking to get back to basics with the launch of a new beer line, Peak Season, beers inspired by the year-round styles. The first two beers up in the new line is a hefeweizen and dry Irish stout. Canary Feathers is a soft and slightly hoppy hefeweizen brewed with hand selected Motueka & Zumo hops and traditional hefeweizen yeast, which features notes of lemon citrus. Bang On is a bitro-infused dry Irish stout brewed with caramel and roasted malts for a smooth roastiness and notes of coffee and caramelized sugar. Look for both of these beers at Pother Half Buffalo this week.

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: Golf Expo, Other Half Peak Season, Frequentem Lager Wednesdays, First Line Collabs, Free Rideshare Vouchers appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Celebrate WNY Craft Beer At Kenan Wine & Beer Bash

The 2026 Kenan Wine & Beer Bash is coming to the Kenan Center Arena on Feb. 21 (4-7 pm). The event will feature samplings from local craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, and restaurants, along with live music from The Uptown Groove, food, and more. This year’s event is being held in partnership with the Tap & Craft Festival, with a wine garden presented by The Lock Tender. General admission tickets are $45, and VIP tickets are $65, which includes premier parking, an extra hour of tasting, exclusive wine and beer samples, a free Blaster Ball, and more. You can purchase tickets here.

42 North Brewing’s Brewski Returns to Knox Farm

42 North will host the 2026 Brewski on Feb. 21 at Knox Farm State Park. Participants will traverse a two-mile course while sampling some of 42 North’s latest craft creations along the way. You will receive five beer samples, a complimentary beer at the brewery, and a commemorative tasting mug. Additionally, Brewski will feature a number of regional vendors offering demo equipment. Following the event, 42 North will host a post-party (4-7pm) with live music by The Blue Faces. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits The Friends of Knox Farm State Park for their continued maintenance and improvements to the park. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 42 North or online.

One-Eyed Cat Crafthouse Announces Closure

One-Eyed Cat Crafthouse, formerly known as One-Eyed Cat Brewing, has announced its closure after four years. “After 4 incredible years, it’s time,” OEC said. “And to everyone who packed the bar — summer nights, winter storms, and everything in between — thank you.” The brewery will be throwing one last bash this weekend with a special guest bartender and drink specials on Friday night. They will also be open on Saturday until 10 pm. Early last year, they stopped brewing and shifted focus to serving local beer on tap and craft cocktails made with local spirits and food from Pork Bellies BBQ.

Steel Leaf Brewing To Close This Month

Steel Leaf Brewing has announced plans to close its doors at the end of this month. The brewery, located at 1488 Hertel Ave., will close on Feb. 28 and have numerous specials planned. “After much reflection, and long conversations with family and friends, we’ve made the decision to close Steel Leaf Brewing Company,” the brewery said. “The current climate has shifted in ways that make continuing forward no longer the right path for our family. This decision was not made lightly. It comes with heavy hearts, but also with deep gratitude.” Steel Leaf opened back in 2022 in Williamsville at the Eastern Hills Mall before moving to their current location on Hertel.

First Line Brewing, Summit Center Team On New Beer

First Line Brewing and the Summit Center are releasing a new beer in honor of Autism Acceptance Month – Foundations, a dry-hopped American lager brewed for a good cause. Foundations features a light body and notes of berry and citrus from Strata hops. During Autism Acceptance Month, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Summit Center to provide support for individuals with autism. Foundations 4-packs are $16 each and will be available for pickup April 1-18 at First Line. You can preorder here until March 8.

Johnson’s Landing Joins Sabrehood Bar Network

Johnson’s Landing has been named as one of 10 bars and restaurants around Western New York in the Sabrehood Bar Network, which will show Buffalo Sabres games on TVs around the brewery with volume. Each participating bar will receive t-shirts, tickets, and Beer Sabres (while supplies last) to give away during games throughout the final two months of the season. The brewery will also host a watch party, which will include sweepstakes, alumni appearances, giveaways, and more, on Saturday, March 21 at 4 pm, when the Sabres take on the Los Angeles Kings.

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: Kenan Wine & Beer Bash, Brewski, One-Eyed Cat & Steel Lead to Close, Sabrehood Bar Network, First Line Foundations Beer appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

First Line Brewing has launched a new Buffalo Bills-themed beer, One Last Ride Lager, a 5% light and crisp American lager brewed to honor the team’s final season at the current Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.

“Introducing One Last Ride, our light, crisp lager brewed to honor the final season in the iconic stadium we’ve all called home,” the brewery said of the new beer. “With just a few games left at that legendary field, raise a glass with us to decades of chills, cheers, heartbreak, and absolute magic. This beer is built for pregame rituals, victory sips, and celebrating a stadium that shaped a generation of Bills fans.”

The 2025-26 season marks the Bills’ final ride at the current Highmark Stadium, before they pack their bags and head across the street to play inside the new Highmark Stadium, which is currently under construction and scheduled to be finished next summer. With One Last Ride, First Line Brewing is paying homage to the Bills, well, last ride, at their current home.

“A beer brewed for a stadium that became a second home. As the Bills take their final snaps in the legendary Ralph, we’re raising a can that proudly features the place where millions of fans lived through every high, low, heartbreak, and miracle,” First Line said.

One Last Ride Lager is available now on draft at the taproom and in 12oz. 6-pack cans to go. The brewery has also launched the Mafia Pack, which includes 3 cans of One Last Ride and 3 cans of Beast in the East IPA.

“From tables smashed to beers shotgunned, from frozen fingers to deafening “GO BILLS!” chants, this stadium held the soul of Buffalo,” the brewery said. “This season, let’s make it count. Let’s bring that Lombardi home to the house that raised us.”

First Line has also brought back Boom Toasted, a light lager brewed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The beer is available on draft at the taproom and in 12oz. 6-packs to go.

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 First Line Brewing Debuts New Buffalo Bills Beer appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Deck the Halls Fundraiser at Pizza Plant Transit

Pizza Plant’s Deck the Halls fundraiser for Sleep in Heavenly Peace returns to their Transit Road location on Dec. 14 (2 pm). The event will feature a Christmas Cookie competition, Anchor Brewing Our Christmas Ale magnum bottle tapping (2 pm), special Christmas beers on tap, including Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Jack’s Abby Toy Soldier Christmas Lager, Scaldis Noel, Prairie Christmas Bomb and more, Buffalo Beer Geek Bottle share (2 pm) and more. Judging for the cookie competition will take place at 4 pm, with the winner receiving $100. Cookies will then be sold with all proceeds going towards Sleep in Heavenly Peace. You can register for the competition here.

Celebrate WNY Craft Beer At Kenan Wine & Beer Bash

The 2026 Kenan Wine & Beer Bash is coming to the Kenan Center Arena on Feb. 21 (4-7 pm). The event will feature samplings from local craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and restaurants, along with live music from The Uptown Groove, food and more. This year’s event is being held in partnership with the Tap & Craft Festival, with a wine garden presented by The Lock Tender. General admission tickets are $45 and VIP is $65, and includes premier parking, an extra hour of tasting, exclusive wine and beer samples, free Blaster Ball and more. You can purchase tickets here.

Strykersville’s Windy Brew Sold To New Owners

Windy Brew in Strykersville is changing hands. Owners and founders Michelle and Bill Snyder are selling the brewery, including the taproom, brewhouse, land, recipes and trademarks, to Mark and Tracy Schork, who are new to the industry. In the interim, Bill will stay on to assist in the transition. The official closing date for the sale is Dec. 19, but the new owners will be introduced this weekend during Windy Brew’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. “Tracy and Mark are very happy and excited for their new adventure and I couldn’t be happier to be passing it along to them,” Michelle said. “The best part of this business has been the people and friends we have made along the way, and I will always treasure that.” For more information, click here.

Wandering Gypsy Brewing’s Fifth Anniversary Weekend

Wandering Gypsy Brewing Company in Ransomville is turning five, and is celebrating with an entire weekend of events, Dec. 11 – 14. Starting on Dec. 11, special edition 5th anniversary glasses will go on sale, everyone who purchases a coffee will receive a free Three Little Hens Baking Co. cookie on Dec. 12, there will be $5 draft pours all day to celebrate five years in business on Dec. 13 and the will weekend will wrap up on Dec. 14 with a special mystery beer release at 10 am. You can find more information at https://www.wanderinggypsybrewing.com.

First Line Brewing Debuts New Buffalo Bills Beer

First Line Brewing has launched a new Bills-themed beer, One Last Ride Lager, a 5% light and crisp American lager brewed to honor the team’s final season at the current Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. One Last Ride Lager is available now on draft at the taproom and in 12oz. 6-pack cans to go. The brewery has also launched the Mafia Pack, which includes 3 cans of One Last Ride and 3 cans of Beast in the East IPA.

First Line has also brought back Boom Toasted, a light lager brewed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The beer is available on draft at the taproom and in 12oz. 6-packs to go.

Pink Boots Society Buffalo Holiday Pairing Dinner

The Buffalo chapter of the Pink Boots Society is hosting a Holiday Pairing Dinner on Dec. 15 (6-8 pm) at the Niagara Falls Elks Lodge #346 (7710 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls). Tickets ($10 for members, $35 for non-members) include a 5-course experience featuring food by Dudley Catering Company paired with beverages from BlackBird Cider Works, Hamburg Brewing, Resurgence Brewing, and Thin Man Brewery. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Pink Boots Society’s Buffalo Chapter, who assist, inspire, and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented beverage industry through education. You can purchase tickets here.

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: Deck The Halls, Kenan Wine & Beer Bash, New Owners For Windy Brew, Wandering Gypsy Anniversary, New First Line Beer, Pink Boots Holiday Dinner appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Hop Harvest Festival

Genesee Country Village & Museum will host the Hop Harvest Festival on Aug. 30, an event that allows guests to experience the journey of hops from field to foam. Festival goers will be able to join costumed historical interpreters for hands-on hop harvesting in the Hop Yard, tour the only working 19th-century brewery in the U.S., sip on historical craft beers, enjoy German food and dance and more. The event is free for museum members. Tickets are $23 and can be purchased here. Tickets can also be purchased day-of for an additional $2.

Prost! Fest 2025 at New York Beer Project

On August 31, New York Beer Project in Lockport and the NYBP Beer Lodge in Orchard Park will host Prost! Fest, a celebration of all things Oktoberfest that features the annual release of their Prost! Oktoberfest. The day will feature a NYC Brunch in the Biergarten (10am-2pm) followed by the tapping of Prost! There will also be German food specials, including NYBP’s Biergarten Bavarian Pretzel, as well as exclusive Prost! merch, and live music from 2-5 pm. Prost! is a copper colored marzen with notes of toasted bread and caramel.

Big Ditch Brewing to Release New Hazy IPA

Big Ditch Brewing is dropping a brand new hazy IPA this week – Drencher, a tribute to late summer storms – “those sudden, heavy downpours that soak the streets, clear the air, and vanish just as fast.” Brewed with Mosaic and Krush hops, this hazy IPA is bold, citrusy and dank with a soft body. Drencher will be available on draft and in cans (16oz. 4-packs) at both Big Ditch taprooms on Friday, August 29.

Thin Man Brewery, Other Half Collab on New IPA

Thin Man and Other Half are back again with another hazy IPA with a food-inspired name – Risotto Moon River, a 4.5% hazy dry hopped Session Pale Ale with Idaho 7, Idaho 7 Cryo, El Dorado, El Dorado Cryo, Moutere and Citra Hyperboost hops. Risotto Moon River will be available on tap at select bars and restaurants around Western New York and in cans wherever great craft beer is sold.

Magic Bear, Eli Fish Team Up on New Sour Ale

For their latest collaborative brew, Larkin’s Magic Bear Beer Cellar is turning to Batavia and Eli Fish Brewing Company. They have teamed up on El Guapo Spritzy Bear, an Aperol Spritz-inspired sour ale with bright, citrusy flavors, which will be released on August 29 (5-7 pm) at Magic Bear. The beer will be available on tap at the beer bar, there will be free tastings and food from Matt of HAPPY! Tacos. The event is free and open to the public.

Stuff Your Trunk Sale at Ellicottville Brewing Little Valley

Ellicottville Brewing is hosting another Stuff Your Trunk sale at their Little Valley location on August 29 (4 – 7 pm) featuring BOGO deals on EBC, Pressure Drop Brewing and limited edition beers, special merchandise and more. The brewery will also be offering free tours of their Little Valley production facility. Sundae Drive Ice Cream Truck will be on-site for the event. The Stuff Your Trunk sale is free and open to the public. EBC Little Valley is located at 202 2nd Street in Little Valley.

First Line Brewing to Celebrate Fifth Anniversary

Orchard Park’s First Line Brewing is celebrating their fifth anniversary this weekend on August 30. They will have new beers on tap, live music, craft vendors, food, bourbon, cocktails and more. “We can’t thank you all enough for the support and love over the years. We are extremely blessed to hit 5 years of business and cannot wait to see what the next 5 years bring!” brewery owners Shane Stewart and Michael Maiorana said. “We love you all so much and hope to see you at the 5 year party.”

Unique Beer Through the Ages at Buffalo Iron Works

Buffalo Iron Works is hosting a unique beer event on September 5 (6:30 pm), Beer Through the Ages: A Modern Country x Buffalo Beer Experience, a curated tasting event that pairs four Buffalo brews, each released in a different era of the city’s modern craft beer movement, with popular country songs from the same time period, performed by Dead End Highway. Featured breweries include Flying Bison, Community Beer Works, Thin Man Brewery, Big Ditch Brewing, and Resurgence Brewing. The event is hosted by The BuffaloBeerfluencer, Emily Sorokes. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $45 for admission and four beer tickets. You can purchase tickets here. Click here for more information on the event.

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: GCVM Hop Fest, New Beers From Big Ditch, Other Half, Thin Man & Eli Fish, Prost! Fest, First Line Anniversary, EBC Sale, Beer Through the Ages appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

If my memory serves me correctly, my first spunded lager (at least that I can remember) was Thin Man Brewery’s Bound For The Floor (or maybe it was Band of Gold, it was a few years, and a few beers, ago), and I have been a fan of the brewing process ever since.

So, what is spunding, and what exactly is a spunded lager? Before we go any further, let’s explain.

The long and short of it is, spunded beer undergoes natural carbonation through a process called spunding. This technique involves capturing CO₂ produced during fermentation, rather than force-carbonating the beer later with external CO₂. Spunding is common with German and Czech breweries.

More specifically, yeast ferments wort, producing alcohol and CO₂. When fermentation nears completion, a spunding valve is attached to the fermenter, allowing brewers to control the pressure inside the tank, keeping the CO₂ dissolved in the beer. The beer carbonates itself under pressure, which, in the end, helps retain more delicate hop and yeast aromas.

Former Thin Man head brewer, and current Brickyard Brewing head brewer, the man behind the first spunded lagers I can remember having, says he started spunding his lagers as a way to make improvements in the beer.

“I’m pretty sure I started spunding my lagers in late 2019/early 2020,” Watkins said. “I had been working on improving our lagers for a while and spunding was a logical thing to try out. I had just come back from a tour of agriculture, manufacturing, and brewing in Czechia, and it was certainly being used at the majority of the breweries we visited there.”

Watkins adds that the act of spunding is just one way to make a great beer.

“I’m torn on the impact of spunding. Does it make a difference? Yes. Is it a huge difference? Probably not. “On its own, spunding is just a note, [but when] combined with dozens of other recipe, water, mash, hopping and packaging variables, you can end up with a symphony.”

Buffalo Brewing Company’s John Domres, who is currently making some damn fine lagers in the city of Buffalo, says he employs the use of spunding as one way to make his beer as good as they are.

“Spunding is just one way we develop a great lager. We begin spunding when the diacetyl rest begins. Fermenting yeast produces CO2, which we force back into the beer instead of venting into the atmosphere. It produces a much finer carbonation than via stone,” Domres said.

Russ Haentges, head brewer of Orchard Park’s First Line Brewing, who created perhaps my current favorite spunded lager, First Line’s We The People, considers himself a novice in the spunding game, but has enjoyed the fruits of his labor, so to speak. He also says that it’s a great conversation starter across the bar.

“Spunding has always been a skill that I have wanted to add to my tool belt, so to speak,” Haentges said. “I really enjoy the characteristics that it has lent to our beers. It has also allowed us to really dial in the beers that I previously was close to, but still had work to do on them. I somewhat stumbled into this technique and love the results. Like anything, it’s not perfect and I have a ton to learn. From a taproom perspective, it’s a great conversation piece and I have noticed more and more people turning to those beers compared to the others.”

For a slightly different perspective on the art of spunding, I turned to someone who has to spund his beers, thanks to the Reinheitsgebot, Hofbrauhaus Braumeister Scott Shuler, who says he isn’t allowed to use carbon dioxide for carbonation due to the centuries-old German purity law. As he explains, Shuler is happy with the effects of spunding on the lagers on tap down at Hofbrauhaus. And if you’ve had a Hofbrauhaus lager recently, especially the Pils, you’d agree.

“I am in the unique position of only being able to spund my beers,” he said. “I have the convenience of my European fermenters being designed for this process and they can handle much higher pressures than domestically built fermenters.  After a few months of trial and error, I was able to yield pleasant results. The trick for me is timing. I want my lagers to ferment cleanly off gas sulfur compounds and other volatile aromatics, so they are not present in the final beer. But I do not want to start the spunding process too early, which can trick the yeast into stopping fermentation. Towards the end of fermentation, we will set up the parts to begin the spunding process, which can last up to two weeks.  The result is a more vibrant lager with tighter and smaller bubbles, better foam retention, and a more complex beer.”

Chances are that you’ve probably had a spunded lager before and just didn’t know it. There’s no shame in that. Now you know, and you can appreciate the process more. Head down to Hofbrauhaus for a few liters of spunded German lager, grab a pint or three at Buffalo Brewing, head out to Orchard Park to First Line for a lager and leave with some cans and make the trip up to Lewiston to see Rudy at Brickyard Brewing for a freshly spunded crispy. These are only a few examples. It’s time to get a fresh local lager in your glass and spund your own path. Cheers.

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 From Tank to Tap: Exploring The Magic of Spunding in Craft Lagers appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

Southern Tier Brewing’s Overpack’d to Feature 15 IPAs

The latest version of Southern Tier Brewing’s Overpack’d mixed 15-pack features all IPAs. This time around, the pack features Lake Shore Fog (6.5% Hazy IPA), Smooth Rider (Overpack’d-exclusive, 4.8% Session IPA), IPA (7% IPA), Citra Fog (6% Hazy IPA) and 2XIPA (8.2% Double IPA). “We’re bringing back a long-time favorite and introducing an easy-sipper Session IPA to the new Overpack’d!” the brewery says. “We’ve got a cool new mix of 15 unique beers ranging from 4.8% to 8.0% ABV so there’s something for everyone!” You can find Southern Tier’s new Overpack’d wherever great craft beer is sold.

Buffalo Bisons Offering New Craft Beer Game Ticket Pack

The Buffalo Bisons and Southern Tier Brewing are once again teaming up for the Southern Tier Craft Beer Pack. This ticket pack features 2 undated game tickets (excludes specially-priced games) and 4 craft beer vouchers for $60. Sahlen’s Field regularly features a number of local craft beer options from the likes of Resurgence Brewing, Southern Tier Brewing, Hamburg Brewing, Big Ditch Brewing and more. You can purchase your Craft Beer Pack here. The Bisons kick off their 2025 season on March 28 against the Rochester Red Wings.

Pizza Plant Transit to Host Imperial March of Stouts

On Sunday, March 9 (12pm), Pizza Plant Transit will host a number of heavy-hitting stouts for their annual Imperial March of Stouts. The event will feature Founders KBS 2019 and 2019 CBS, Mortalis Aphrodite: Chocolate Strawberry (Imperial Milk stout with chocolate and fresh strawberries), Goose Island Bourbon County (2019-2023), Old First Ward Brewing Ten Years After Imperial Stout, Other Half Quiet Space (blend of 24 month aged imperial stout barrels) and 9^th Anniversary Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (collaboration with Homes Brewing), and more. The North Ridge Fanforce will be on hand in full Star Wars costumes. Flights will be available. Anyone who wears Star Wars gear will receive $5 off a flight.

Windy Brew 8^th Anniversary Party

Windy Brew will celebrate their 8^th anniversary on Saturday, March 8 (6pm) in Strykersville. The special event will feature food and drink specials, live music from Savannah Swatland (6-9pm) and the 8 Weeks to 8 Years drawings for prizes such as gift cards, drink chips, mug club memberships, merchandise and more. If you have been involved in the 8 Weeks to 8 Years drawing, winners will be announced throughout the evening and then a grand prize winner will be announced (ask your bartender for details). The event is free and open to the public.

Smoldered Society Tasting at Nickel City Brewz

Nickel City Brewz will welcome in Smoldered Society on March 8 (6-8pm) for their latest Meet the Brewer Night. The Smoldered Society team will be on hand to sample their beer, including Illusion of Society Imperial NEIPA (Bru-One, Mosaic Cryo, Cashmere and Alora hops), Simulated Reality (fruited sour with blueberry and lemon), Strike Anywhere Czech Pilsner and Simulated King (collaboration with Bellwoods, Mountain Dew-inspired sour with kiwi, orange, lime, and citrus soda). Nickel City Brewz will also welcome Meier’s Creek Brewing on Friday night for a sampling event.

OP Shamrock Bar Crawl With Wayland Brewing, First Line Brewing

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a week early in the Village of Orchard Park with the Shamrock Bar Crawl on March 8 (2-8pm), which includes a number of local venues such as Wayland Brewing, First Line Brewing, Fattey Beer OP, Mangia, Lunar Rei, Cork & Vine, and Byrd House. Each stop will host a unique experience with prizes and giveaways when you get your card stamped at each spot. All participants are encouraged to dress in costumes and wear green. You can visit as many, or as few, venues as you’d like. It is free to participate and the event is open to the public.

Falls Brewery To Open In Town of Niagara March 14

Falls Brewery will officially open their doors at 2408 Military Road in Military Square Plaza in the Town of Niagara on March 14 (11am). Falls Brewery will feature a five-tank brewing system along with a taproom, banquet area and restaurant featuring wood-fired pizzas, wings, bar food and burgers. The night before, on March 13, they will hold a soft opening, 5pm – 9pm, where they plan to demo their golf simulators, mini bowling lanes and other games, including darts, indoor cornhole and more. You can find more information at https://fallsbreweryusa.com.

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, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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Southern Tier Brewing Drops New West Coast IPA

Southern Tier Brewing has released a new small batch West Coast IPA in in 16oz. 4-packs at Wegmans and other select craft beer retailers. The beer is a balanced 7% IPA that’s cleaner and less bitter than traditional West Coast IPAs; smooth and subtle with more pine and hop notes than berry and citrus with a malty backbone. West Coast IPA is currently available.

Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar to Open Jan. 24

Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar will open in Fredonia at the site of EBC West on Jan. 24. Monster Beach, a brewery and Tiki bar with a classic movie monster theme, is the creation of Robert Turley Jr., Mandi Shepp and Christoph Shepp. Beers will include Surfin’ With Fred lager and Attack of the Green Tomatoes tomato herb wheat (their brewhouse was just been installed so they will not open with their own beer on tap), in addition to traditional Tiki drinks and Modern Polynesian-style cocktails and a food inspired by ingredients from Asia, the Caribbean islands, and Polynesian region. For more information, visit https://www.monsterbeachbrewing.com.

Frequentem, Mortalis Team Up on New Lager

Frequentem Brewing and Mortalis Brewing have teamed up on a new lager, New Zealand Pilsner, brewed and dry hopped with Subzero Hop Kief Nelson Sauvin hops. SubZero Hop Kief adds a fresh hop flavor andaromas to the beer, while Nelson Sauvin hops impart notes of white grape, nectarine and pink grapefruit. New Zealand Pilsner is available on side pull draft and in 4-pack cans at Frequentem Brewing Buffalo right now.

Brickyard Brewing Drops New Bills-Themed IPA, Cask Stout at Mr. Goodbar

It’s something my father has been saying to me since the 1990’s – ‘just one before I die,’ referring to a Buffalo Bills Super Bowl title. This might be the season and Brickyard Brewing is emulating that mantra with their latest Bills-themed hazy IPA, Just One Before I Die. Brewed with El Dorado, Galaxy and Citra hops, this 6.8% double dry hopped IPA features big hop and orange juice notes and has all of the hallmarks of bigger bodied, thicker hazy IPAs. Just One Before I Die is limited to 50 cases of cans and limited draft at the taproom. You can find cans wherever great craft beer is sold.

If you’re looking for something a big bigger and a bit darker from Brickyard, Mr. Goodbar is tapping a cask of their Oatmeal Stout on Jan. 17 (3pm). This 5.6% stout is rich and roasty with a nice bittersweet and chocolate finish.

First Line Brewing Releases New Czech Lager

Orchard Park’s First Line Brewing has released a new Czech lager, Czech Please, a 5.5% light and crushable Czech-style lager. The beer features rich and bready malt notes accompanied by a soft hop bitterness with flavors of bread crust and toasted bread. It’s crisp, light and crushable. You can find Czech Please on tap right now First Line’s taproom.

Big Ditch Brewing NA Burner Beer Pong Championship

Big Ditch is capping off Dry January with the NA Burner Beer Pong Championship on Jan. 30 (6pm). The cost to enter is $20 per team and includes your first NA Burner (cash bar during the tournament with $4 NA Burners and $1 off Mocktails). Grand prize is a $200 gift card, a case of NA Burner, and a custom trophy and second place wins a $50 gift card and two 6-packs of NA Burner. The tournament will be capped at 32 teams and will feature a single elimination format (all other rules will be posted prior to the event and displayed during the event). Register now here.

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, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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First Line Brewing has released a new lager to benefit the former employees of the Sumitomo Rubber Plant in Tonawanda, which abruptly closed in November.

Burnin’ Rubber Pilsner, a 4.2% lager brewed with Saaz and Hallertau Blanc hops, is available on tap now at First Line’s taproom in Orchard Park.

“After hearing the devastating news of the Sumitomo closing we feel gutted for everyone that worked there. Especially close to the holiday season this has brought unimaginable stress and hardship to all of their loyal staff,” the brewery said on social media. “We decided to brew a beer where proceeds will be donated to them so that they can still have their annual reunion party one last time. We know the power of community in Buffalo and how people band together to help those in need.”

A portion of proceeds from beer sales will be donated to the employees to help fund their annual reunion party one last time.

First Line Head Brewer Russ Haentges says that Burnin’ Rubber was born out of happenstance, a chance encounter with a then-Sumitomo employee, Andrew Rogowski, during a brew day for the CollaBEERation Festival. From there, beers were had, a plan was hatched and Burnin’ Rubber was born, although it ended up turning into something bigger than even had had originally intended.

“Beer has a funny way of bringing people into your life,” he explains. “A couple years ago, during a CollaBEERation brew day, I befriended Andrew Rogowski, along with Nate and Nick, our Pitmaster at Lassos [Chicken & BBQ]. Andy raved about Sumitomo and said it was a great job and the people there were great to work with.”

“Fast forward to this fall – Andy reached out to our group and said that they were shutting down out of nowhere and he was out of a job, along with everyone else at the plant. We were having beers one day and he had brought up how he would like to have a small party at First Line for the group of mechanics that he had worked with. So, we had some beers and ended up actually coming up with a way bigger idea than we had thought.”

“We had a couple new beers coming out and I had suggested giving them some proceeds to help fund their annual Christmas party somehow. He said he would throw it out to the Facebook group from Sumitomo and see what they had to say. The response was amazing. He said they were super excited about it and loved the idea. We pitched it to [First Line Brewing owners] Shane and Mike a week or so ago. They loved it and we ran from there. It’s always important to help out the community that helps you do what you love in our eyes.”

In early November, Sumitomo Rubber USA announced plans to close their manufacturing facility in Tonawanda and lay off 1,550 employees, citing “mounting material and logistics costs, dated infrastructure, intermittent financial performance, and changing market conditions.”

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, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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