The Best Beer I Drank This Week

This week, Brian heads back out to Orchard Park to spotlight a triumphant return from Wayland Brewing Company . While craft beer fans are constantly looking for the next big release, Brian details why a look back at one of the very first beers Wayland ever put out reminded him exactly why he fell in love with their liquid in the first place: House Lager . The Featured Pour Brewery: Wayland Brewing...

This week, Brian heads back down to the Old First Ward to spotlight an absolute heavy-hitter from Resurgence Brewing Company . While local taplists are routinely packed with rotating releases, Brian pauses to champion a returning champion that deserves a permanent spot on your local radar: Head in the Clouds . The Featured Pour Brewery: Resurgence Brewing Company (Buffalo, NY) Beer: Head in the Cl...

This week, Brian stands inside Other Half Buffalo at Seneca One Tower, looks at a tap list dominated by 20 hazy IPAs and three fruited sours, and orders... a milk stout. Reaching past the hops, Brian treats himself to Egg Cream Milk Stout that trades the tropical fruit notes for a nostalgic trip down a New York City soda fountain lane. The Featured Pour Brewery: Other Half Brewing Co. (Buffalo, NY...

After another small hiatus where real life got in the way, Brian is back inside the shadow of the historic Buffalo silos to shake off the rust. This week, he is returning to BriarBrothers Brewing Company at 50 Elk Street to spotlight a brand-new release that has the local lager crowd talking: Crazy Child Vienna Lager . The Featured Pour Brewery: BriarBrothers Brewing Company (The Silos at Elk Stre...

The Warm Blanket of Buffalo Beer: Big Ditch Hayburner This week, Brian slows down to pay tribute to a true "Mount Rushmore" beer of the Western New York craft scene. While the quest for the newest, haziest, or rarest brew never ends, sometimes the best beer you drank is the one that’s been a reliable friend for years. We’re talking about the flagship of Big Ditch Brewing Company : Hayburner . The...

This week, Brian visited a downtown Buffalo favorite for a milestone celebration and walked away with a new appreciation for a often-divisive style. We’re talking about Billy’s Smoking Jacket , a collaboration between Spotted Octopus Brewing and Brazen Brewing . The Featured Pour Brewery: Spotted Octopus Brewing (Buffalo, NY) & Brazen Brewing (Lancaster, NY) Beer: Billy’s Smoking Jacket Style:...

This week, Brian isn't just picking one beer—he’s recapping the entire CollaBEERation 6 experience. This past Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Buffalo beer community descended upon The Powerhouse in Larkinville for the ultimate showcase of Western New York’s creative brewing spirit. The Champions & Fan Favorites The competition was fierce this year, with nearly 40 collaborative brews vying for th...

This week, Brian digs into the back of the fridge and pulls out a "banger" from our friends at Smoldered Society Beer Company . If you’ve been following the Buffalo Beer League, you know Brian is a massive advocate for the "clear beer" movement, but this week, he’s embracing the shadows with Strike Anywhere: Into the Dark . The Featured Pour Brewery: Smoldered Society Beer Co. (Brewed at Chandler...

This week, Brian keeps it classic with a trip to the New York Beer Project (NYBP) Beer Lodge in Orchard Park. While the craft world often chases the next big trend, sometimes the "best beer" is the one that reminds you why the basics matter. Brian caught up with Head Brewer John Hyman to sample the return of a fan favorite: Goddess Kolsch . The Featured Pour Brewery: New York Beer Project (The Bee...

Welcome to another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week . I’m your host, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League, and let’s be honest—I’m basically floating on air right now. Not just because of the beer, but because the Buffalo Sabres are officially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 14 years. It’s finally happened. Naturally, I had to celebrate with a trip to Other Half Buffalo at Seneca One...

This week, Brian takes us on a deep dive into what might be the most technically ambitious beer ever produced in the Southtowns. We’re talking about Peche Spon 2024 , the inaugural release from the New York Beer Project (NYBP) Beer Lodge coolship program in Orchard Park. This isn't just a beer; it’s a time-intensive labor of love that brings Belgian tradition to Western New York. The Featured Pour...

This week, Brian travels to Orchard Park to visit our patriotic friends at First Line Brewing . While First Line is known for their support of first responders and the military, their latest taproom hero, I Got Your Six , stands out for both its mission and its unique hop profile. The Featured Pour Brewery: First Line Brewing (Orchard Park, NY) Beer: I Got Your Six Style: West Coast IPA / American...

This week, Brian heads to the Silos at Elk Street to discuss a beer that stopped him in his tracks. Typically known for their experimental sours and heavy-hitting hazies, BriarBrothers Brewing Company has quieted the noise with Reflections , a rice lager that might just be the pinnacle of their lager program to date. The Featured Pour Brewery: BriarBrothers Brewing Company (The Silos at Elk Street...

This week, Brian heads down to the Old First Ward to visit the Frequentem Brewing Co. Buffalo taproom for a masterclass in lager traditionalism. While the hazy IPAs at their Louisiana Street spot are always a draw, it was the gleam of a side-pull tap and a dimple mug that stole the show this time. If you’re a fan of "clear beer" and meticulous technique, this is the pour you’ve been waiting for. T...

After a short hiatus, Brian is back to recap one of the premier events on the Western New York craft calendar: the 2026 Brewer’s Invitational . Hosted at the stunning New York Beer Project Beer Lodge in Orchard Park, this year’s festival spread across three themed rooms, offering a masterclass in local brewing talent. Brian walks us through the standout pours, the award winners, and why the Beer L...

We are back in the cut for Season 3 ! To kick things off, Brian Campbell dives into a full recap of one of the highlights of the Western New York beer calendar: Barrel Jam 2026 . Despite a brutal cold snap with highs of only 7°F, the Buffalo Beer League crew (Brian, Scott, Jesse, and Mark) trekked out to East Aurora to celebrate the sixth annual barrel-aged festival at 42 North Brewing Company . F...

This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week , Brian heads back to the silos on Elk Street to revisit a brewery that has delivered hit after hit: Briar Brothers Brewing Company . It’s been too long since a Briar beer made it onto the show, so we’re fixing that today with their New England IPA Desk Pop — a soft, creamy, citrus-loaded hazy inspired by The Other Guys (yes, “aim for the bushes” makes...

This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week , Brian spotlights a beautifully simple, elegant lager: Traditional , a Czech Pilsner from Belt Line Brewery & Kitchen . It’s the kind of pour that looks perfect in a dimpled mug with two fingers of foam—and tastes even better with Belt Line’s 716 Medium wings (a pairing you’ll hear more about in Brian’s upcoming taproom pairings piece). He first re...

In this special episode, Brian recaps Bottles & Bites at Statler Buffalo (Nov 13). He, Jesse, and Scott hit GA this year—easy entry, stellar venue, and a strong mix of food, beer, wine, and canned cocktails. Pre-game was at Southern Tier Buffalo (Mediterranean Burger + Ghost Note IPL = clutch). Highlights Beer stops & standouts: Mystic Hills & Schulz Bräu to start Hofbräuhaus Munich Ok...

In this week’s episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week , Brian from the Buffalo Beer League spotlights a true Western New York classic: Premium Pilsner from Resurgence Brewing Company . This 5% Czech-style pilsner has become a staple pour around Buffalo, whether in cans, on draft, or—when you're lucky—on side-pull at places like Nickel City Cigars. Brian breaks down why this lager works in ever...

Hello everyone! Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week! Before we dive into this week’s feature, I want to thank many friends at Iron Tug Brewing for calling into the Buffalo Beer League Hotline — love hearing from you! If you want to join in on the fun, you can call 716-486-BEER and leave me a voicemail about the best beer you drank this we...

Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week! This week’s beer took me (and my wife) by surprise — Espresso Martini Nitro Milk Stout from Hamburg Brewing Company . Inspired by the trendy espresso martini cocktail, this 6.5% milk stout is brewed with espresso from Undergrounds Coffee and finished on nitro for that smooth, velvety bo...

Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with a brand-new edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week! This week, I’m talking about a beer that completely surprised me — French Vanilla Brown Ale from Big Ditch Brewing Company . It wasn’t one I planned to order, but after a sample at the bar, I was blown away and had to dedicate this week’s episode to it. This 5.8% brown ale delivers...

Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week ! With Western New York Beer Week underway, this week’s spotlight couldn’t be more fitting: Western New York Beer Week IPA — also known at some breweries as Be Good, Do Good Brew Beer . This 7% hazy New England IPA was a true collaboration, brewed by member breweries of the Western New Y...

Hello everyone, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League here with another edition of The Best Beer I Drank This Week ! With Western New York Beer Week underway, this week’s spotlight couldn’t be more fitting: Western New York Beer Week IPA — also known at some breweries as Be Good, Do Good Brew Beer . This 7% hazy New England IPA was a true collaboration, brewed by member breweries of the Western New Y...