Two of my greatest passions in life are writing and craft beer, and when those two worlds intersect in the name of good, it’s a beautiful thing. Craft beer for a good cause is something I will forever champion – the idea that this fun little thing in our glasses can foster positive change in our own backyard, our own neighborhoods, is one that I hold near and dear to my heart.
The 11 Day Power Play, which supports cancer causes in Western New York through an annual 11-day hockey marathon game, has raised millions upon millions of dollars since their inception in 2017.
Amy and Mike Lesakowski founded the 11 Day Power Play movement back in 2016, eight years after Amy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Mike also lost his mother to cancer that very same year, which inspired him to do something to give back, leading to the birth of the 11DPP.
After raising more than $1 million for Roswell Park that first year, the idea grew to include more of the community at large. In the years since, Golisano Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, Make-A-Wish®, Camp Good Days and The Petey Fund have become additional beneficiaries.
This year, the Western New York Brewers Guild is hitting the ice to help in the fight, suiting up to help in the fight against cancer. The team features members of the WNY Brewers Guild, including team captain, Rob Haag (Santora’s/1927 Brew House), Russell Haentges (First Line Brewing) and Joe Marshall (Lilly Belle Meads), as well as members of Eli Fish Brewing and KanStarz.
This is the second year the Brewers Guild has put together a team for the 11 Day Power Play. They hit the ice at 3 am on Sunday, June 28. The game is open to the public and any and all are welcome to go watch these brewers and beer delegates in action.
“We are just trying to raise awareness and raise money,” Haentges said. “We’re trying to do the thing for the community that makes the community so special. We want to be good neighbors. Do good, be good, drink Western New York beer. We need to show that we support the community because the community supports us.”
The 2026 11 Day Power Play runs now through June 28 at HarborCenter. For more information and to donate directly to the cause, please visit https://www.11daypowerplay.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 X (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
