With the calendar now flipped over to 2024, it’s time to raise a glass to all of the exceptional beers that made 2023 such a memorable year for all of us here at the Buffalo Beer League. This past year, the Western New York craft beer scene continued to evolve, producing a number of innovative and truly tasty brews that left a lasting impression on us.
In addition to my favorite beers of 2023, I also asked fellow BBLers Scott, Jesse and Mark for their lists as well.
Brian – Windy Brew Fluffernutter Stout, 12 Gates Brewing Citra Daze Hazy IPA, Eli Fish Brewing Will It?, 42 North Brewing Barrel Aged Belgian-style Quad (Bourbon & Maple Whiskey), Gene McCarthy’s / Old First Ward Brewing Overcast IPA, New York Beer Project The One v.43 NEIPA, Big Ditch Brewing StraightEdge Turtle, Ellicottville Brewing Farmhouse Saison, Community Beer Works x Big Ditch Brewing Party Mountain IPA, Big Ditch Brewing Double Burner Double IPA, Wayland Brewing Good Clean Fun IPA, Froth Brewing House Amber Lager, Community Beer Works Pink Grapefruit Let’s Go Pils, Thin Man Brewery Talusman of Yakima IPA, Mortalis Brewing x Fidens Brewing We Know Steve IPA
Scott – Pressure Drop x Tokyo Alehouse Low Earth Orbit, Counterpart Brewing Bulls on Parade, Triple Crossing Last Broadcast, Flying Bison Duke’s Yorkshire Bitter, Big Ditch Brewing DDH Little Waves
Jesse – Noble Shepherd Cravings IPA, Big Ditch DDH Little Waves, Beer Tree Vibrant Trees, Big Ditch Strawberry Vision, BriarBrothers Woah…That’s Nelson DIPA, Buffalo Olde Brewery Lovejoy Lager, Community Beer Works Bourbon Barrel Aged The Snow
Mark – Resurgence Brewing Nocturnal Pivo, Pressure Drop/Big Ditch Deep Aqua Culture, Buffalo Brewing Company Pineapple Cream Ale, Other Half Brewing 9th Anniversary, Brickyard Brewing Close Encounters, Genesee Brewing Helles, Community Beer Works Pride, CBW Meyer Lemon Pils
As we bid farewell to 2023, the New Year promises even more delicious liquid as our craft beer landscape here locally continues to ebb and flow, evolve and transform. Whether you’re a fan of hazy IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, sour ales, collaborative creations, or sessionable delights, our little slice of the diverse world of craft beer really does has something for everyone. Here’s to the brewers pushing the boundaries and the beer enthusiasts savoring the fruits of their labor – may 2024 be filled with even more extraordinary beer experiences. 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 Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
