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)
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. And pretty soon, Pour Taproom will open a self-pour location in town, so you’ll have to add another stop to this list.
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).
