The New York State Craft Brewers Festival: Buffalo returns to Canalside on June 21 and tickets are on sale now.
General admission tickets are $45 and include souvenir tasting glass and all samplings and GA+ is $65 and includes 1 hour early entry, access to exclusive VIP beers, souvenir tasting glass, all sampling and $5 NYSBA merch coupon. New this year is a special VIP upgrade ($100) that includes a beer and chicken wing pairing at Southern Tier Brewing (guided pairing of five unique chicken wings, paired with five (5oz) New York State Craft Beers from 5 different regions of the state), 1 hour early entrance, access to exclusive VIP beers, specialty 12oz. VIP glass, sticker bundle, pint koozie and all sampling. You can find more ticketing info here. There are also designated driver tickets available.
Proceeds will benefit the New York State Brewers Association and Western New York Brewers Guild, nonprofit organizations that support the craft brewing industry through advocacy, education, and promotion. In addition, $1 per ticket will benefit P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative.
The annual event is produced by the New York State Brewers Association and Western New York Brewers Guild. This year will feature fresh craft beer from over 50 breweries from every corner of the state, and attendees can meet the people who make the beer they love while enjoying live music, local food trucks, artisan vendors, and more.
“The craft beer industry continues to rapidly grow across Western New York. Our region is now home to over 60 breweries, with more coming online every few months,” said Jason Havens, owner of Rusty Nickel Brewing Co. and president of the Western New York Brewers Guild. “Each brewery has its own story and unique experience to explore. We have quickly become a destination for beer lovers across the country and beyond. The best part – with each local beer purchased, consumers are contributing to the local economy by keeping funds right here in the WNY community.”
Some participating breweries, distilleries, meaderies and cideries have been announced:
- Belt Line Kitchen & Brewery
- Big Ditch Brewing
- BlackBird Cider Works
- Brewery Ardennes
- Britesmith Brewing
- Buffalo Olde Brewery
- Bull & Bee Meadery
- Eli Fish Brewing
- First Line Brewing
- Flying Bison
- Ghost Brewing
- Great South Bay Brewing
- Hamburg Brewing
- Hofbrauhaus Buffalo
- Lunkenheimer Brewing
- Meier’s Creek Brewing
- Mystic Hills Brewing
- Old First Ward Brewing
- Pearl Street Brewery
- Resurgence Brewing
- Saranac
- Sixpoint
- Southern Tier Brewing
- Southern Tier Distilling
- Solitude Brewing
- Strangebird Beer
- Spotted Octopus Brewing
- Utica Club
- Watershed Brewing
- Wayland Brewing
- Webe Brewing
“Brewers and brewery owners from every region of the state come together to showcase beer of all kinds at New York State Craft Brewers Festivals. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast, or brand new to the craft beer scene, these festivals offer a unique opportunity for everyone to try something new – and find their new favorite beer,” said Chloe Kay, marketing manager for the New York State Brewers Association.
You can purchase tickets and find more information here.
Brian Campbell is the 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).
