Illumination Meadery, who operate out of Mortalis Brewing’s taproom on Niagara Street, have announced plans to close, citing changes in the lives of the owners, rising costs and decreased consumer demand for craft beverages.

“Sorry about the radio silence lately. We’ve made the difficult decision to close our production space permanently at 1250 Niagara Street,” they said in a social media post. “A lot has changed in the lives of the three owners, and rising costs coupled with decreased consumer demand for craft beverages left us no other choice. We wish Britesmith the best of luck in our old space!”

“When our original partner at 1250 Niagara, Company B Cider, closed right as we were ready to start pouring mead in early 2023, we thought this passion project may be ending before it even got started. We are very thankful that Mortalis took a chance on us and accepted our partnership offer to share the space that is now the Mortalis Buffalo taproom. We hope that we were able to teach people a little more about mead, and maybe we even made some new mead fans!”

Their final sendoff will be at CollaBEERation Fest on April 5.

They still have a few kegs on tap in the taproom, plus bottles and glassware 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 Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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Illumination Meadery to Close on Niagara Street

Illumination Meadery, who operate out of Mortalis Brewing’s taproom on Niagara Street, have announced plans to close, citing changes in the lives of the owners, rising costs and decreased consumer demand for craft beverages. “We are very thankful that Mortalis took a chance on us and accepted our partnership offer to share the space. We hope that we were able to teach people a little more about mead, and maybe we even made some new mead fans,” the meadery says. Their final sendoff will be at CollaBEERation Fest on April 5. They still have a few kegs on tap in the taproom, plus bottles and glassware to go.

Brickyard Brewing’s Stained Glass Vol. 1 Returns

Brickyard Brewing’s Stained Glass Vol. 1 Barrel Aged Belgian Quad has made a return, this time in 375ml. corked and caged bottles. The 8.8% was aged in a blend of rum and bourbon barrel and features notes of dark fruit like raisins, plums and dark cherries. Bottles of Stained Glass Vol. 1 are limited (only 8 cases), along with a few kegs for retail, and are available now at Brickyard’s Lewiston taproom, as well as select retailers around Western New York.

Old First Ward Breweries Announced 4 The Ward Collab

Four Old First Ward breweries – Resurgence Brewing, Briarbrothers Brewing, Old First Ward Brewing and Frequentem Brewing – have announced a new collab – 4 The Ward – which features each location brewing their own take on a pale ale to support the Old First Ward Community Center. Start at any brewery, order a pint of 4 The Ward, and receive a punch card. Visit the other breweries, collect punches, complete all four, turn in your card, and at the end of the promotion (now through St. Patrick’s weekend), each brewery will donate to the Old First Ward Community Center for each completed card.

Williamsville’s 12 Gates Brewing Company to Close

12 Gates Brewing Company in Williamsville has announced that they are closing their doors after 9 years. The brewery made the announcement via their social media that they are closing, effectively immediately. “From the very first brew to the countless pints shared, every moment has been special, and we couldn’t have made it this far without the incredible support of our loyal customers, staff, and the community. You’ve helped us craft more than just beer — you’ve helped us create memories that will last a lifetime,” the brewery says. 12 Gates first opened their doors in 2015. Their sister location, 12 Gates of EVL, closed last summer.

Hofbrauhaus to Hold March Marzen Tapping

Hofbrauhaus Buffalo is teaming up with the Witches of the Moonlight for their March Marzen barrel tapping on March 6 (6pm). Die Haus Band will perform, Witches of the Moonlight will host a parade and dance performance inspired by the Wolfshager Hexenbrut witches of Germany, and a barrel of Märzen will be tapped. The beer is a smooth and drinkable, amber-colored beer with a rich malty character and a hint of hops. Mention you’re dining for the witches and 10% of your pre-taxed bill will be donated to the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. You can make reservations on OpenTable.

CollaBEERation Festival Announces First Collab Beers

CollaBEERation Festival, which takes place at the Powerhouse on Apr. 5, have announced the first round of collab beers that will be poured at the event. This includes Southern Tier Brewing Meet the Bockers Maibock, Pod City Beer Labs Bollywood Wit (Belgian-style witbier with traditional Indian spices), Eli Fish Brewing Mr. Pink’s F**k All That Gose (pink lemonade gose with pink Himalayan sea salt), Buffalo Olde I Remember Mama… Italian Pilsner and 42 North Brewing PeeWee’s Beer Adventure Dark Lager (aged in Tequila barrels). The event brings together members of the Buffalo Beer Geeks community to partner with more than 50+ participating Western New York breweries, cideries, and meaderies. Tickets can be purchased here.

Buffalo Home Show Returns With New Happy Hours

The Buffalo Home Show returns to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on March 7-9 and 14-16 and features two floors with over 300 exhibitors. Each Friday night will play host to a different Happy Hour – WBLK Home Show Happy Hour with Ed Nice (March 7, 5-7pm), including beer samplings from Labatt, food from Cabot Cheese and contests, and the WYRK Home Show Happy Hour with Clay Moden (March 14, 5-7pm), with beer samplings from Labatt, food from Cabot Cheese and ticket giveaways for the sold-out Taste of Country concert. Tickets can be purchased here – use code BEER to receive $4 off.

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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Windy Brew Planning Second Taproom in Batavia

Strykersville’s Windy Brew is expanding into Batavia with a satellite taproom/kitchen planned for 56 Harvester Center. Originally planned as a brewpub, plans for the new space shifted due to permitting issues at the location. Brewing operations will continue in Strykersville and the taproom will feature space for approximately 20 to 25 people at the bar, and another 10 to 15 at tables. In addition to Windy Brew’s beer, some other New York State brews and possibly wine could be served. They plan to open in spring or early summer.

Thin Man Brewery Plans Triple Beer Release

This Friday, Thin Man will drop three beers, including a Black IPA and a Smoked Schwarzbier. Well Worn Boot, a collaboration with the band of the same name, is a Black IPA that features notes of roast, pine and toasted orange zest, Power of Prophecy is a smoked dark lager with flavors of moderate smoke and roasted malt and Purple Parrots New England IPA has a nose of tropical fruit and light vanilla with notes of coconut, mango and papaya. These beers will be released on draft and in cans on January 13.

Resurgence Brewing Presents Winter Booze Fest 2023

On February 11 (1-4pm), Resurgence Brewing will present the first ever Winter Booze Fest, a ticketed event that will showcase the brewery’s unique winter cocktails, as well as their food. Tickets are $34.11 (including applicable taxes and fees) and include 8 3oz. pours of your favorite unique winter cocktail, 1 bag of Buffalo made Gourmet Popcorn and a $5 food voucher. There are only 150 tickets available for this event. You can purchase tickets here. More details will be released soon.

Space Monkey Solo West Coast IPA Release at Pressure Drop

The next installment of Pressure Drop Brewing’s Space Monkey saga, Space Monkey Solo, is set to drop on January 14. This 7% West Coast IPA is crisp, clean and light-bodied IPA with dank hop flavor and aromas and a balanced dry and bitter finish. Space Monkey Solo will be available drops on draft and in 16oz. 4-pack cans at Pressure Drop’s Elmwood Ave. pub. It will be available wherever great craft beer is sold around Western New York soon after.

Illumination Meadery Takeover at The Beer Keep

Illumination Meadery, soon to be open at 1250 Niagara Street, will hold their first official event on January 18 (5pm) at The Beer Keep. This event will focus on showcasing their wide variety of meads, prior to opening their brick and mortar. There will be Illumination meads on draft – Meadmosa (10%), Loganberry (8.5%) and Cranberry Orange (7%) and in bottles – Black Currant, Gem Heart, Cotton Candy, Blackberry and Coffeemel. This event is free to attend.

10th Annual Niagara Wine and Beer Fest at Kenan Center

The Niagara Wine and Beer Fest, which features more than 30 wineries, cideries and breweries, returns on February 4 for a tenth year at Lockport’s Kenan Center. In addition to beer, cider and wine tastings, the festival will feature food vendors, raffles, live music by Nik and the Nice Guys and more. Tickets are on sale now – VIP (4 – 9 pm) is $60 and includes all GA amenities, early admittance, reserved parking, $1 off wine by the bottle (4-5pm) and VIP gift bag, and General Admission (5 to 9pm) is $40 and includes all tastings, souvenir tasting glass, tasting journal, and $10 food voucher. Designated driver tickets are available for $15.

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).

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Illumination Meadery to Open Inside Company B. Tasting Room

Illumination Meadery has announced plans to open inside Company B. Tasting Room at 1250 Niagara Street. They plan to utilize production space behind Company B. Tasting Room and will be posting about their membership club in the near future on their social channels. They also plan to hold tasting events at various bottle shops and taprooms this summer. For more information, click here.

BTR Brews to Shut Down Main Street for Kick Off To Summer

BTR Brews are shutting down Main St. in the Village of Angola on June 18 for their Kick Off to Summer event, which will feature dozens of local craft beers, food trucks and live music. There is no entry fee, but sheets of tickets will be on sale for $20 each. Beer will be available from Community Beer Works, Pressure Drop, Thin Man, 12 Gates, 42 North and more. Live music will be provided by Last Call, Big Daddy Rich, JJ White & Mojo Sauce and Rockabilly Steve & BR3, food will be available from Buffalo Bros. Burgers, Caribbean Flava and Yankee BBQ and there will also be a Buy a Dog, Save a Dog – Hot Dog Sale to Benefit Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue, custom engraved chalice’s from Stella Artois and Liquid Vitamin Therapy from BFLO Hydration.

Resurgence Brewing Honors TV Dads With Kegs & Eggs

For their next installment of Kegs & Eggs on June 19, Resurgence is paying homage to the greatest TV dads of all time. Flight 1 features Al Bundy’s Dank Feet (IPA with Zappa hops), Frank Costanza’s Del Boca Vista (IPA with Vista hops), Randy Marsh’s Tegridy (IPA with Nelson hops) and Hank Hill I’ll Tell You Wheat (Hefeweizen) and Flight 2 features The Danny Tanner Green Tea Shot (Sour), The Home Simpson (Strawberry Donut Kettle Sour), Carl Winslow Maple Coffee Bacon Stout and Red Foreman Altbier. Find food options here.

Tickets Remain for Rhythm and Brews Benefit at Kleinhans

A limited amount of tickets still remain for Rhythm and Brews at Kleinhans Music Hall on June 16 (6:30pm). The event will feature beer from 13 local breweries, cuisine from Oliver’s, Marcato by SEAR, Britesmith and Creekview Restaurant and live music by Carina and the Six String Preacher and Girls of Grosh. Proceeds will benefit Kleinhans’s programming, including the annual National Geographic Live Speakers Series and building upkeep. Everyone will receive a commemorative glass. General admission tickets are $45 and VIP are $75, which include early admission, first tastings and reserved seating. For tickets, call (716) 885-5000 or visit kleinhansbuffalo.org.

Community Beer Works to Release New Blueberry Wheat

First, it was the return of Summer Playlist Hefeweizen and Meyer Lemon Lets Go Pils, and now CBW is keeping the summer beers flowing with the release of Blueberry Wheat on June 17 (3pm). This beer is brewed with loads of blueberries to create a truly berrylicious easy-drinking wheat ale. 4-pack 16oz. cans and draft will be available on June 17 at CBW’s 7^th Street taproom.

Fourth Annual Kolsch Day Returns to 42 North Brewing

After a three year hiatus due to the pandemic, 42 North Brewing are once again celebrating all things kolsch at their 4th Annual Kolsch Day on June 18 (12pm). In honor of the beer style, they will be serving traditional German kolsch in Stange glassware, and running tabs for those participating until they are finished. “We’ll give you a punch card, every refill of the Stange glass is a punch, eat German fare, pretend you’re in Cologne and add up your punches at the end to see which one of your friends likes Kolsch the most,” the brewery says. There will also be live music and German-themed food.

Tickets On Sale for 2022 Ballpark BrewBash

While the 2022 Ballpark BrewBash at Sahlen’s Field is still a few months away (September 3), tickets are on sale now at all Consumer’s Beverages locations. General admission tickets are $35 (4-7pm) and VIP tickets are $79 (3-7pm). Consumer’s is running a special offer now through July 4 – get a free flex ticket to 1 of 4 Buffalo Waterfront Outer Harbor Concert shows (Ja Rule, Moe, Taking Back Sunday, BPO / The Strictly Hip) with each purchase of a Ballpark Brew Bash ticket.

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).

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