Spotted Octopus to Relocate and Expand in Buffalo

Spotted Octopus Brewing has announced plans to move to a new, larger location in Buffalo. According to the brewery, the new venue will accommodate up to 120 guests and will feature a full-service restaurant operated by Flow Food. It will also include an outdoor patio and dedicated parking. “We are thrilled to be relocating to a larger venue that will allow us to enhance our offerings and create a welcoming environment for everyone,” said Domenic Nicotera, co-owner of Spotted Octopus. “Our customers can look forward to enjoying their favorite brews along with an upgraded dining experience.” The new taproom is expected to open early August 2026.

Hamburg Brewing Introduces The Cluck Bucket

It’s no secret that beer and wings are a perfect pairing, and Hamburg Brewing is celebrating that holiest of unions with the Cluck Bucket, a new taproom special that pairs twenty chicken wings with a bucket of five Lil Guy IPAs, a light bodied 3.9% session IPA ($45 plus tax). Hamburg offers a number of wings flavors, including Hot, Medium, Mild, Carolina BBQ, Chipotle Lime Dry-Rub, Buffalo Lemon Pepper Dry-Rub, General Tso, Mango Habanero, Garlic Parm, and Spicy Honey. The Cluck Bucket Combo is only for on-site consumption at Hamburg Brewing.

Southern Tier Teams With National Comedy Center To Fight ALS

Southern Tier Brewing is joining the fight against ALS and is teaming up with the National Comedy Center on Bit by Bit Blonde Ale, a collaboration to support Ales for ALS. This 5.1% blonde ale is available at all Southern Tier taprooms and will be rolled out with a series of special events across all taprooms this month. The beer’s name, the brewery says, “draws inspiration from the comedy ‘bits’ that have brought people together for generations while also reflecting the incremental progress being made every day in the fight against ALS.” On June 16, Southern Tier Buffalo will host a special screening of John Candy’s “Canadian Bacon” in the taproom. A portion of the proceeds from every pint of Bit by Bit Blonde Ale will support Ales for ALS and help fund critical ALS research. Southern Tier will donate $1 from every pint sold and $1 from every four-pack purchased to-go to ALS research efforts. The beer is now available at Southern Tier taprooms, the National Comedy Center, and select local retailers.

Burgers and Beers on the Patio at The Ridge Giveaway

Step Out Buffalo and The Ridge West Seneca are teaming up to give away a $100 Burgers and Patios on the Patio experience. This prize includes a $100 gift card to The Ridge West Seneca. All you have to do is click here and enter your name and email address. The contest runs through Friday, June 12. You can also head to @stepoutbuffalo on Instagram for more chances to enter. When you win, you can order any number of burgers from The Ridge’s menu, including the Bacon Jam Smash, Rustler Burger, Classic, Sunrise Smash, Turkey Burger and more. You can also grab beers from the main bar or at the self-pour tap wall.

Three New York Beer Project Releases This Week

In honor of the World Cup kicking off this week, New York Beer Project is releasing a pair of new beers on Thursday, Emperor Japanese Rice Lager and Brazilian Hurricane Sour, as well as Baby Crush Hazy IPA, a session version of the brewery’s award-winning Hazy Crush IPA, which returns after a limited initial run. Emperor is crisp, smooth, and light-bodied at 4.7%, with a floral hop note and a dry finish. The Brazilian Hurricane Sour is 6% and brewed to mimic the popular Hurricane cocktail and features passion fruit, Valencia orange and tart cherry. Both Emperor and Baby Crush will be available at all NYBP New York locations (Lockport, Victor, Orchard Park), while Brazilian Hurricane Sour will be released at all taprooms, including Orlando.

42 North Brewing Drops New Hazy IPA

42 North Brewing has released a new hazy IPA, Trailhaze, brewed with Citra, Mosaic and Idaho 7 hops, “perfect for outdoor adventures and getting lost in nature.” The 6% IPA features notes tropical fruit, soft citrus and a well-balanced finish. The beer recently made its debut at Sprague Brook Park for National Trails Day and will be featured this Saturday, June 13, at the Heart of Music Festival at 42 North’s East Aurora taproom, an all-day event that will feature live performances from the West Falls Kids Group (1 pm), Doug Yeomans & Friends (2 pm), Leroy Townes (4 pm) and Uncle Bens Remedy (6:30 pm).

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: Spotted Octopus to Relocate, Hamburg Cluck Bucket, The Ridge Giveaway, Southern Tier Beer For ALS, New Beers From 42 North and New York Beer Project appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

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).

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Tickets Remain for This Weekend’s Brewer’s Invitational

Tickets are still available for the seventh annual Brewer’s Invitational, which returns to the New York Beer Project Beer Lodge on Saturday, Feb. 28 (2-5 pm). Some beers that will be poured at the event include Mortalis Brewing’s Beholder | Yogurt Parfait Fruited Smoothie Sour, Oldmanbearma | Nectaron Double IPA and BA Eos (Metallis Purple Wax) Imperial Stout, as well as Other Half’s Dankest Dad Imperial IPA, Big Ditch’s Boysenberry White Water and Ellicottville Brewing’s Barrel Aged Chocolate Cherry Stout, to name a few. Tickets are $50 and include a commemorative tasting glass, a $5 food voucher, and access to over 50 brews from 30 local breweries, cideries and meaderies. Designated driver tickets are also available. You can purchase tickets here.

Big Ditch Brewing, The Ridge West Seneca Giveaways

Step Out Buffalo is teaming up with Big Ditch Brewing and The Ridge West Seneca for a pair of giveaways – Big Ditch Taps & Apps Experience, which includes a $100 gift card to Big Ditch, and The Ridge Beers & Bites Experience, which includes a $100 gift card to The Ridge West Seneca. To enter for Big Ditch, click here and enter your name and email, and to enter for The Ridge, click here. The deadline for the Big Ditch Taps & Apps Experience is Thursday, Feb. 26 and the deadline for The Ridge Beers & Bites Experience is Monday, March 2.

Resurgence Brewing Another Caucasian, Gary Release Party

Resurgence Brewing is throwing a release party for Another Caucasian, Gary, a White Russian-inspired stout created by homebrewer Scott McMillan that won the 2019 Dude Hates Cancer Homebrew Contest and a silver medal at the 2025 NYS Craft Beer Competition. Drop by the taproom on Feb. 26 at 6 pm to sample the beer, meet Scott and more. “The Big Lebowski” will be playing in the taproom, there will be Wii bowling contests for prizes, White Russian drink specials and special cask versions of the beer – Maple and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. “Yeah, well. The Dude abides.” The event is free and open to the public.

Steel Leaf Brewing Liquidation Sale, Drain The Bar Party

Steel Leaf Brewing Company will close this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 28 and need your help to drain the bar before they turn the lights off. The event will feature live music from DJ Looney Tunes and more. “Cheers to the good years and help us drain the bar one last time,” the brewery says. “We’re raising our glasses to every memory, every pint, and every one of you who made Steel Leaf what it is.” Steel Leaf Brewing will host a Liquidation Sale on Feb. 27 (10 am – 7 pm) and will be selling select furniture, fixtures, décor, and brewing-related items as we wind things down. According to the brewery, everything must go.

Ellicottville Brewing Announces New Line of Hard Teas

Ellicottville Brewing has introduced a new line of flavored hard teas, EVL Tea House, brewed with real tea. These 4% hard teas include flavors such as Half & Half, Raspberry, Original, Blueberry and Chai Tea Lemonade. “Introducing a new family of hand crafted hard teas – EVL Tea House,” Ellicottville Brewing says. “Four distinct flavors, brewed amongst the scenic rolling hills of Ellicottville, NY – often colloquially referred to as “EVL”. Brewed to transport you to wherever your “happy place” may be. Take the scenic route. Try EVL Tea House today.” Cans of EVL Tea House can be found in all EBC pubs as well as select local beer retailers soon.

Ticket Giveaway for Golf Expo at Pearl Street Brewing

Golf Buffalo and Tap & Craft are teaming up to give away two free tickets ($70 value) to the Golf Buffalo Expo at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery on March 14 (3-6 pm) with a beer and spirits tasting, a market of local golf brands and a Players Championship Viewing Party. To enter the giveaway, click here. Tickets are $35 and include beer and spirits tastings from 10 craft brands, commemorative tasting glass, local golf market and more, and can be purchased 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: Brewer’s Invitational, Steel Leaf Closing, Resurgence Another Caucasian, Gary, Big Ditch, The Ridge & Golf Expo Giveaways, Ellicottville Brewing Hard Teas appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

12 Gates of Christmas Challenge Returns to 12 Gates Brewing

It’s time for 12 Gates Brewing to open the 12 Gates of Christmas. Starting December 1, the brewery will tap a new beer for 12 consecutive days and to complete the challenge, you’ll need to be in attendance each day to get your card punched. Starting December 1, the following beer will be tapped: Chocolate Pretzel Porter, Margarita Sour, Buzz the Tower IPA, French Saison, Chocolate Blueberry Jalapeno Porter, Hot Honey Hazy IPA, Xmas Spice Amber, Strawberry Raspberry Seltzer, Salted Caramel Coffee Porter, Belgian Pale, Barrel Aged Stout and Abominable Hazy IPA. If you drink each beer, you’ll receive a custom t-shirt, bragging rights and an invitation to an exclusive party.

42 North Releases Trio of New Barrel Aged Beers

42 North Brewing has released three new beers from their 42 Below Barrel House. Lady Sif, a 6% mixed fermentation barrel aged blonde ale blended with Saison, features notes of oak, lemongrass, white grape, pineapple and stone fruit, Kreik Walkin, a 6.25% blend using 42 Below’s house culture with barrel aged blonde and brown ales  with secondary fermentation on tart cherry, sweet cherry and red raspberry, has notes of oak, cherry, port, and dark stone fruit, and Repeats Verboden, a 6.25% blend of barrel aged blonde and brown ales, with notes of oak, black currant, red raspberry, blackberry and loganberry. Limited amounts of all three can be found on draft and in cans at the brewery right now.

Pressure Drop Release New Sabres-Themed Lager

Pressure Drop Brewing is paying homage to Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato with the release of Donny Meatballs, a light-bodied and clean pilsner that is crisp and satisfying like a slapshot from center ice. This beer is available now in 16oz. 4-packs to-go, or solo cans for on-site consumption at the brewery. Looking for a place to watch the Sabres the next time they take the ice? Look no further than Pressure Drop. During each game they are open for, Donny Meatballs is available for $5 for single cans or $17 buckets.

The Ridge West Seneca Taps New Hazy IPA, Stout

There is a pair of new beers on tap in the Southtowns at The Ridge West Seneca – Ridge Oatmeal Stout and Haze on The Ridge New England IPA. Haze on the Ridge features mostly Idaho 7 hops to create notes of subtle pine, tropical and citrus fruits and a resinous mouthfeel, and Ridge Oatmeal Stout features notes of chocolate and coffee, chewy malts, toasted bread and caramel. Both beers can be found on tap right now at the brewery.

Mystic Hills Brewing Taps Two New Beers

East Concord’s Mystic Hills Brewing has released a pair of new beers – Yuzu Dry Hopped IPA and Berliner Weisse. The Yuzu IPA, brewed with Citra and Amarillo hops, features notes of yuzu, key lime, and tangerine, and the Berliner Weisse is an easy-drinking, light-bodied German Wheat beer fermented with lemon and lime zest. They have reserved a keg of this beer, which they plan to tap next spring. Both beers can be found on tap right now at the brewery.

Fall Fest Month at Flying Bison Brewing

November is Fall Fest Month at Flying Bison, which will feature the releases of Sleigh Rider (cans and draft) and MacBison Scotch Ale (draft and Nitro), along with several other special new releases. Additionally, you will be able to find Brindle Porter (Dark and smooth, English Malts and hops), Vanilla Porter (Vanilla adds an extra complexity of flavor to an already great beer), Apple Spice Draft Seltzer (Just like a fall harvest – fresh apple flavor with notes of spice) and Imperial Pumpkin Ale (Dark and delicious, well balanced pumpkin and spices) on draft and in bottles and cans to-go while supplies last.

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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