As winter gives way to the thaw of spring, ThawFest emerges as a beacon of warmth and camaraderie. The annual celebration of local craft beer and the arrival of spring, which will be held April 26 (6-10pm) at Buffalo Riverworks, ThawFest brings together beer enthusiasts, brewers, and food vendors for a weekend of indulgence and merriment.

And this year, Thawfest is giving the VIP treatment to all festival-goers, which means your ticket includes food, unlike in year’s past.

From IPAs to stouts and lagers, ThawFest boasts a diverse selection of brews to tantalize every palate. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with brewers, learning about their unique brewing techniques and the stories behind their beers. Whether you’re a seasoned beer aficionado or a curious newcomer, there’s something for everyone to discover and savor.

The festival has revealed their list of participating breweries, meaderies, and cideries, including Pearl Street, Lafayette Brewing, RiverWorks Brewing, Three Bear Meadery, Belt Line Brewery, Southern Tier, Flying Bison, 12 Gates, Big Ditch, Hamburg Brewing, Resurgence Brewing, Shalooby Loofer, Sad Boys, Buffalo Brewing, Marquee Brewing, BlackBird Cider, Clarksburg Cider, Tree Hugger Cider, Woodcock Brothers Brewing, Genesee Brewing, The Ridge at West Seneca, and more.

Beyond beer, cider and meads, Thawfest will play host to wine, craft canned cocktails and spirits from Lake Hour Canned Cocktails, Herron Hill, Hartman’s Distillery, Old Scotland Road Distillery, Barn Dog Distilling, and more.

And if you’re in the mood to shop after a few adult beverages, Buffalo Underdogs Rescue, Leaf Gutter Protection, Renewal by Anderson, The Lucky Wing, and Sik Braids are among the vendors that will be onsite.

Tickets are $60 and a portion of proceeds will benefit Hope Rises and The Firefighter Arno Memorial Foundation. Tickets include all tastings, finger foods, music from DJ Sike, and free parking.

With a backdrop of twinkling lights and the hum of laughter filling the air, ThawFest offers an unforgettable experience that captures the spirit of community and celebration. So join us and raise a glass as we toast to good times, great beers, and the promise of warmer days ahead.

For more information, visit http://thawfest.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 (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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Tickets Remain for CollaBEERation IV at The Powerhouse

Limited general admission tickets are still available for the fourth annual CollaBEERation Festival at the Powerhouse, April 13 (1-5pm). The unique event brings together members of the Buffalo Beer Geeks community to partner with 48 Western New York breweries, cideries, and meaderies to brew never-before-made libations. There will also be vendors, food trucks, and more. Attendees can vote on their top 3 collabs, with the winner taking home the BBG Championship Belt. This year features a pro wrestling theme. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite wrestler and step into the ring for a photo with the belt. GA tickets ($70) can be purchased here. DD tickets are also available.

Pressure Drop to Release New Super Silver Haze IPA

Pressure Drop Brewing is adding another arrow to their quiver of IPAs on April 13 with the release of Super Silver Haze, an easy-drinking hazy IPA featuring a bright bouquet of orange blossom and mandarin orange. This 6% IPA is easy drinking and soft bodied, brewed to be enjoyed on 4/20, Pressure Drop’s most cherished day on the calendar.  Super Silver Haze will be available on draft and in 16oz. 4-pack cans to go.

Breweries, Cideries to Participate in Buffalo Restaurant Week

A number of local breweries, beer bars, bottle shops and cideries will take part in the spring edition of Buffalo Restaurant Week, which runs April 15-21. The weeklong event will feature signature lunch and dinner dishes from many of Buffalo’s best restaurants, all with special deals and offerings during this week only. Big Ditch Brewing, 42 North Brewing, Clarksburg Cider, Magic Bear Beer Cellar, New York Beer Project, RationAles and Wayland Brewing will all take part. Buffalo Restaurant Week is presented in partnership with the Western New York Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association.

Resurgence, OnCore Golf, PGA Hope WNY Collab Returns

Resurgence Brewing has once again teamed up with OnCore Golf and PGA Hope WNY on Smash Factor, a sessionable 5.5% IPA that is light, soft, and easy drinking. The beer returns to Resurgence on April 13 (12pm) and the release party will feature putting and chipping games, giveaways (earn tickets with each beer purchased), and more. $1 per pint and $2 per 4-pack of Smash Factor sold will go towards WNY PGA Hope, a golf charity for veterans. Smash Factor will be available on draft and 4-pack cans all summer.

Steel Leaf Brewing to Open New Location on Hertel

Steel Leaf Brewing has announced plans to open a brewery and taproom on Hertel Avenue, located at 1488 Hertel Ave. The taproom will feature seating for 75 guests and will feature a large bar, main dining area, outdoor patio, and small event space, as well as a small production brewery for making R&D experimental beers. It is anticipated that the new Steel Leaf taproom will open by mid-2024. Steel Leaf will shortly begin hiring staff for the new space. Visit www.steelleafbrewing.com for job listings and application instructions.

Participating Breweries Announced for Thawfest at Riverworks

Buffalo Riverworks’ annual celebration of all things spring, Thawfest, which takes place April 26 (6pm), has announced their list of participating breweries, meaderies, and cideries, including Pearl Street, Lafayette Brewing, RiverWorks Brewing, Three Bear Meadery, Belt Line Brewery, Southern Tier, Flying Bison, 12 Gates, Big Ditch, Hamburg Brewing, Resurgence Brewing, Shalooby Loofer, Sad Boys, Buffalo Brewing, Marquee Brewing, BlackBird Cider, Clarksburg Cider, and more. Tickets are $60 and a portion of proceeds will benefit Hope Rises and The Firefighter Arno Memorial Foundation. Tickets include all tastings, finger foods, music from DJ Sike, and free parking.

Free Resurgence Brewing Glasses at Consumers Beverages

While supplies last, all participating Consumers Beverages are giving away a free Resurgence Brewing 391 IPA Ryan Miller pint glass with the purchase of (2) 4-pks of Resurgence’s 391 IPA. A portion of all proceeds from the release of 391 IPA will be donated to raise support for Ryan’s Fund; The Ryan Miller Legacy Fund in conjunction with the Courage of Carly Fund at Roswell Park. 391 IPA, a hazy IPA that celebrates Miller’s record 391 wins, and part of Resurgence’s Buffalo Legend Series, is a light bodied with notes of citrus and melon.

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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Thawfest 2023 Coming to Buffalo Riverworks

Believe it or not, it will soon be time to raise a toast to the end of yet another long Buffalo winter and what better place to do so than at Thawfest at Buffalo Riverworks on April 21. Over 50 local breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries will be on hand to samples their newest and most popular brews. Participating vendors will be announced closer to the show. There will also be live music, craft vendors and more. A wider selection of rare and limited beers, as well as finger foods, will be available in the VIP section. Stay tuned to http://thawfest.com/ for more information.

TIL Brewing to Open New Taproom in Clarence

TIL Brewing, who have brewing craft beer inside Lilly Belle Meads in Lancaster for years, are taking steps to move into their own taproom. They have signed a lease for a new space of their own in the central business district of the Village of Lancaster and are looking to be open by the fall of 2023. The move will allow TIL to increase their brewing capacity, allowing them to brew more beer and experiment more with different beer styles. “It’ll be great to be a bigger part of the village redevelopment and give craft beer drinkers a spot to relax and hangout with a pint,” the brewery says.

Southern Tier Brewing Release Two New Imperial Beers

Southern Tier Brewing has dropped a pair of new imperial beers, Peanut Butter Cup Imperial Stout and French Toast Imperial Ale. The latter, the first release in Southern Tier’s Specialty Line, is an 8.6% Imperial Ale that features toasted, sweet caramel malts that blend into notes of maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, while the former is a 10% ABV Imperial stout that showcases notes of smooth, creamy peanut butter alongside bittersweet chocolate malts and milk sugar. Look for both beers wherever great craft beer is sold and at all Southern Tier taprooms in 4-pack 12oz bottles and on draft.

Magic Bear Beer Cellar Teams With Spotted Octopus on New Collab

Larkin’s Magic Bear Beer Cellar has teamed up with Allentown’s Spotted Octopus Brewing on HiBEARnator, a new winter warmer brewed with ginger, cinnamon, orange peel, cardamom, and All spice, a new small batch collaborative brew that will be released at Magic Bear Beer Cellar on Dec. 23 (6pm). In addition to HiBEARnator, Spotted Octopus will also be sampling a selection of their other brews. For the release, Brisket Love BBQ will be on hand serving food.

Resurgence Brewing Releases First Beer in 19.2 oz. Cans

Resurgence Brewing is the latest Western New York brewery to release their beer in 19.2oz. ‘stovepipe’ cans with their flagship Green Heart New England IPA and new Raptor King, a 9% hazy IPA. Green Heart is brewed with Citra, Amarillo, Simcoe and Palisade hops and features notes of pineapple, melon and light peach, while Raptor King features dank, resinous hop notes to go along with sticky, overripe tropical fruit. You can find these cans most everywhere great craft beer is sold around WNY.

Avon’s Mortalis Brewing 4 New Beers

Mortalis Brewing, located just over an hour up the road in Avon, has released a handful of new beers for the holiday season. Cyclops Fruited Sour (Marshmallow + Vanilla) blends together prickly pear, black currant, apricot, marshmallow, and Madagascar vanilla, Gemini Fruit Smoothie Sour (Raspberry + Banana + Parfait), features raspberry, banana, yogurt, and granola, Hydra Fruited Sour (Passionfruit + Mango + Peach) blends passion fruit, mango, and peach together and Hecates Crossroads Double IPA, brewed in collaboration with Brujos Brewing, features Lupomax Citra, NZ Cascade, and Peacharine hops. You can find these beers at the brewery now.

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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Believe it or not, it will soon be time to raise a toast to the end of yet another long Buffalo winter and what better place to do so than at Thawfest at Buffalo Riverworks on April 9 (6:30-9:30pm). With the snow all but in the rear view (I just jinxed us all didn’t I?) and warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to celebrate, and you know as well as I do that when we celebrate here in Buffalo, we drink.

And drink we shall at Thawfest 2022.

Over 50 local breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries will be on hand, while the Cory Klawon Duo will provide live music.

Festival attendees will have access to samples of great locally craft beer from Pearl Street, Riverworks Brewing, Lafayette Brewing, Ellicottville Brewing, Empire Brewing, Pressure Drop Brewing, Community Beer Works, Resurgence Brewing, 12 Gates, Big Ditch, Steelbound Brewery, Hamburg Brewing, Southern Tier Brewing, Flying Bison Brewery, New York Beer Project, Saranac, Belt Line, K2 Brothers Brewing, Four Mile Brewing, Genesee Brewing, Young Lion, Ithaca, Faith American, Butera’s x Village Brew House, Brickyard Brewing and Partake Brewing.

In addition to beer, there will also beer a number of cideries on hand, including Steam Punk, 1911 Beak & Skiff, McKenzie’s, Little Mack, Clarksburg Cider, Rootstock Ciderworks, Blue Toad, Angry Orchard, OSB Ciderworks and Mountain Mule Ciders.

Beer and hard cider not your thing? That’s cool. Thawfest literally has something for everyone. There will also be wine (Fox Run Vineyards, Victorian Wine Estate, Leonard Oaks Estate Winery, Freedom Gypsies Farm Winery, Colloca Estates, Merrit Estate Winery) and distilleries (Steelbound, North Ridge Distillery, Iron Smoke Distillery, Four Fights Distilling, Barrelhouse 6 Distillery, Current Spirits, Old Scotland Road) on hand serving their wares as well.

While the official beverage list has yet to be announced, Riverworks promises that this newest incarnation of the event won’t be just another beer festival.

“2022 will promise to bring a whole new feel to Thawfest 2022,” they say. “We are digging deep to find some extremely rare batches and releases all across NY to bring to Buffalo RiverWorks. We have been listening to your requests and will be making some new and exciting changes. This year will not be just another brewfest!”

A wider selection of rare and limited beers, as well as finger foods, will be available in the VIP section (5:30-9:30pm).

Tickets can be purchased here (General admission: $45, VIP: $65). Designated driver tickets are also available.

For more information on all things Thawfest, visit http://thawfest.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 (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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Spotted Octopus Brewing to Open April 22

Spotted Octopus Brewing has announced plans to open on April 22 at 41 Edward Street in Buffalo. On April 22, they will be open 4pm to 11pm and 12pm to 11pm on April 23. The space features 12 taps and is kitchy and intimate with a homey feel (the space is filled with donated furniture from family and friends). There is a second floor with additional seating as well. They will be announcing their launch beers via social media over the next few weeks.

Limited Tickets Remain for Thawfest 2022 at Buffalo Riverworks

Believe it or not, it will soon be time to raise a toast to the end of yet another long Buffalo winter and what better place to do so than at Thawfest at Buffalo Riverworks on April 9 (6:30-9:30pm). Over 50 local breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries will be on hand, while the Cory Klawon Duo will provide live music. A wider selection of rare and limited beers, as well as finger foods, will be available in the VIP section (5:30-9:30pm). Tickets can be purchased here (General admission: $45, VIP: $65). Designated driver tickets are also available.

12 Gates Brewing Set to Release Happy Daze IPA

12 Gates’ Daze Series continues this Friday, April 8 (12pm), with the release of Happy Daze, a 6.5% hazy IPA aged on milk sugar and double dry-hopped with Cascade, Simcoe and Waimea. The new haze will be available on draft and in 16oz. 4-packs to-go at the brewery this Friday and wherever great craft beer is sold soonafter.

Hofbrauhaus to Tap Hopfen Spezial for April

Hofbrauhaus Buffalo will once again roll out the barrels on April 6 (7p) with a ceremonial parade and keg tapping of Hopfen Spezial, a hoppy, amber-hued, unfiltered lager. It is very citrusy and piney with a clean malt backbone to balance the hoppy bitterness. The brewery says that it pairs well with the HB Salat, Gemischte Kaseplatte, and the Riesenbratwurst. For reservations, call 716-939-2337 or visit www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com.

Resurgence Teams With OnCore Golf and PGA Hope WNY Foundation on New IPA

Resurgence Brewing has teamed up with OnCore Golf and PGA Hope WNY Foundation on Smash Factor, a 5.5% IPA featuring HBC 586 and Mosaic hops. The official launch party at Resurgence April 9 (12pm) will feature an indoor putting green (hit your putts to win a pint and Smash Factor ball), mini golf putting green games, chip cornhole game stations and an Oncore Golf popup with exclusive merch, including Smash Factor golf balls. $1 from all Smash Factor pints will go towards PGA Hope all weekend and partial proceeds will go to WNY PGA HOPE, a golf charity for veterans.

Community Beer Works to Release New Excelsior! IPA

On April 8 (3pm), Community Beer Works will add to their stable of IPAs with Excelsior! IPA, a 7.5% golden colored classic American IPA brewed with light caramel malts and hopped with El Dorado, Citra, Centennial, and Caliente. Excelsior! will be available on draft and in cans to go, as well as wherever great beer is sold soon after. The beer is available for preorder now at www.communitybeerworks.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 (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).

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Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now for the Fifth Annual Thawfest

Believe it or not, it will soon be time to raise a toast to the end of yet another long Buffalo winter and what better place to do so than at Thawfest at Buffalo Riverworks on April 3 (6:30-9:30pm). Over 50 local breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries will be on hand, while Vin DeRosa and Vitamin D provide live music. A wider selection of rare and limited beers, as well as finger foods, will be available in the VIP section (5:30-9:30pm). Early bird tickets can be purchased right now here (General admission: $39, VIP: $59, VIP + Brewery Tour: $80).

Gordon Biersch Brewery at the Walden Galleria Closes Its Doors

After nearly a decade of serving traditional German-style beers such as their Maibock, Festbier and Marzen, Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant at the Walden Galleria Mall has closed its doors for good. An email was sent to customers announcing the closing as of February 9 with no official reason given. “Thank you Buffalo for 9 years of food & beer,” the email read. “We regret to inform you that the Buffalo location has been permanently closed.” Syracuse is now the only New York location listed for Gordon Biersch, a national chain brewery that originated in San Jose, California in 1997.

Britesmith Brewery Co. in Williamsville Is Now Open for Business

Add yet another name to the ever-growing list of Western New York breweries – Britesmith Brewing. Located at 5611 Main Street in Williamsville, Britesmith is a two-story facility with space for up to 120 customers and another 25 at the bar. Beer, which is brewed on a 10-barrel system and piped to the restaurant in underground pipes, includes Billie Haze New England IPA, Wills Pils German Pilsner, Walk the Dog Irish Dry Stout and Dream Island Gose, among others. The restaurant will be open seven days a week. Hours will be 4-10pm Monday-Thursday, 4-11pm Friday, and 11am-to 11pm Saturday and Sunday.

Indulge in the Finer Things at Pizza Plant’s Belgian Beer and Chocolate Fest

Pair chocolate and Belgian beer during Pizza Plant’s Belgian Beer and Chocolate Fest on February 12 (7pm) at their Transit Road location. The event will feature beers like Ommegang Bourbon Barrel Aged Adoration Dark Ale, Rare Vos, Witte, Pale Sour, Dubbel Merlau, a Belgian Dubbel with Merlot grape juice, as well as Boulevard Brandy Land, a cinnamon-infused imperial stout aged in apple brandy casks and bourbon barrels, Framboise Boon Raspberry Lambic and more. Chocolates will be courtesy of Chow Chocolat, including an Ommegang Rosetta-infused chocolate. Free chocolate and glassware with any flight purchase. Chocolate gift boxes will also be available.

Flying Bison to Debut New Lager, IPA This Week

A big week is in store for Flying Bison Brewing, who will debut a new lager and new IPA. First, on February 13 (6pm), Lift Line Lager will hit the taps during their Classic Ski Film Night; a crisp, hoppy and balanced 5% Keller Lager with ample amounts of Mandarina Bavaria hops. Limited draft and crowlers available. Then, on February 14 (12pm), Buffalust IPA will make its debut. Buffalust is brewed with Hibiscus and Mandarina Bavaria hops for floral notes of fresh tangerines and tart berry. Bottles and draft available exclusively at the brewery before it hits stores next week.

Beer List Announced for First Ever Cask Fest at Brickyard Brewing

Cask Festival 2020 at Brickyard Brewing Company, a first time cask festival that will play host to nothing but the finest cask beer, will take place at the Lewiston brewery on February 15 (3pm). The beer list has been announced and includes Brickyard CTC Churro Milk Stout with Vanilla, Hamburg Brewing Double Fruited Blackberry/Blueberry Sour, Pressure Drop DDH Citra Sticky Trees and Woodcock Brothers Blueberry/Coconut Sour to name a few. Tickets are $25 and include a festival sampling glass, access to over 20 cask beers, special curated draft sampling upstairs and more. Tickets can be purchased right now at BBCcaskfest.brownpapertickets.com.

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. 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), Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague) and www.buffalobeerleague.com.

The post Buffalo Beer Buzz: Thawfest 5 Tickets, Britesmith Brewing Opens, Gordon Biersch Closes, New Beers at Flying Bison, Brickyard Cask Fest Beer List appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

It’s somewhat hard to fathom that I have been descending upon Buffalo Riverworks for their annual Thawfest event each April for the past four years, but time flies when you’re having fun. I’ve enjoyed myself immensely every year I’ve been lucky enough to be invited back and this year, Thawfest 4: A New Hope (or Thawfest 4: Thaw Harder if you like), was no different. Let me say first – if you have not been to one of these Thawfest’s, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

Now that that is out of the way, the fourth installment of Thawfest featured some minor tweaks, including a different layout, more distilleries and a few less breweries than in years past. If you’re planning on hitting Thawfest 5 next year, let me suggest the VIP option. Not only are there VIP-only beers, two of which made my Best Of list below, the food spread is also top notch with pizza, soft pretzels, wings, sliders and so much more among the delicious options this year. Also new this year was the layout, with all of the festival moved to the first floor and set up along the bar and two bigger ovals. This allowed for better flow for sure, and I didn’t really notice one spot getting too crowded.

Thawfest is really rounding into an event for every type of drinker. Although I didn’t partake in much liquor, outside of a shot of Single Hop Spirit with my dude Cory at Lockhouse, I can appreciate the expanded options. I did miss Gravy performing, but ManBearPig killed it with the 90’s tunes. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

After drinking my way through most, if not all, of what Thawfest had to offer beer-wise, I came away with seven beers that stood out to me, even now, several days after the event has passed.

Thin Man Coffee Town – This brown ale dosed with shots of espresso was a VIP-only option, so I apologize ahead of time for those that didn’t get the chance to partake. It was smooth and roasty, with notes of coffee and chocolate. I had a few pours before I headed downstairs.

Brickyard Brewing Maple Bock – The other VIP-only brew was one of the most maple-forward beers I’ve ever had. It was rich, thick and syrupy without being too cloyingly sweet. This is also the first of two Brickyard beers to make this list.

Brickyard Brewing Bourbon Street Sour – This was a treat. Passionfruit, blood orange and cherry flavors played together perfectly, with a pleasant tartness to round it off. John Paul at Brickyard isn’t just brewing some of the best IPA’s in the area.

SATO Brewpub Sofishticated – Craft beer is meant to be wacky, fun and out-of-the-box, and no other beer exemplified that more than SATO’s Sofishticated, an IPA brewed with Bonito Flakes (dried, smoked tuna). Drew and Justin are doing some cool things with their Japanese-inspired beers and this was no exception. No, this didn’t taste like fish – it more resembled smoked pineapple with touches of pine.

Pressure Drop Sticky Trees – Fresh off its triumphant Wise Choice Award win at Beerology, Sticky Trees makes this list, because, well, it’s a great beer. I enjoyed a few of these as I chatted with Pressure Drop Head Brewer Karl Kolbe.

Community Beer Works Creative Chaos – Just as her So It Goes West Coast IPA made this list last year, Hydraulic Hearth’s Head Brewer Vandra Ruppel’s latest creation, Creative Chaos IPA, was a good brew. She is making some quality IPA’s that don’t always get their due. Clean, crisp and citrus-forward made this easy-drinker one of my Best Of’s.

Lafayette Brewing Gose Cuervo – This was a beer that I had wanted to try since it was released a little while back, so I was happy to get my hands on some. This batch was dosed with extra lime and salt so the flavors really popped. The tartness and sweetness were dialed in as well, making for a memorable beer.

I owe a special thanks to Chris Herr (the talented head brewer of Pearl Street, Riverworks Brewing and Lafayette Brewing if you didn’t know) for allowing me to be a part of Thawfest for another year. It has quickly become one of my favorite beer events of the year and I am not exaggerating when I say I’m already looking forward to the fifth iteration in 2020. Cheers.

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. 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), Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague) and www.buffalobeerleague.com.

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