Buffalo and WNY Beer Guide

This is an awesome, complete guide for beer, but as a Buffalonian I do feel that it needs to be mentioned that getting wings at Gabriel's Gate and a beef on weck at Schwabl's is every bit as important as where to drink.

 

I would also add Moor Pat.

 

Couldn't agree more...Moor Pat is prob overall my favorite bar in WNY.

 

Appreciate the list as I'm heading to Buffalo next week for 3 nights, but looking for some recommendations to thin the list down a bit for this trip.

Moor Pat seems like a no brainer since we will be staying near the airport, but it only has a few apps on the food menu right? Wings are only Sunday? Do they let you bring food in, if so any recommendations from the area (or somewhere to eat nearby if not)?.

Gabriel's Gate seems like it could be a good stop too but, jesus, the service reviews are horrible. We'll be there Monday - Wednesday which seems like it should help since they should be slower. And I'll be sure to mind the review about not buying coke off the "kitchen help" since its "junk" . Beer is just typical BMC swill?

Thin Man, Community Beer, Coles, and Fat Bob's are all on the short list. Anyone have any personal recommendations about which to hit?

Thanks for any help! Cheers

 

Pay no mind to the service reviews for Gabriel's Gate. I've never had an issue personally, and even if I did, I wouldn't care, because the wings are worth going back for again and again and again.

Beer there is usually nothing special but they should have Sierra Nevada or something like that on.

Community Beer Works makes terrific stuff, I'd hit them if you're only going to one of those four.

 

Moor Pat does have limited food offerings and I doubt they'd let you bring food in. There are several restaurants nearby, such as the Creekview about a block away. They have basic craft beer on tap, but since it's winter, should definitely take advantage of getting a Tom & Jerry if you haven't had one before (not sure how popular they are outside of Buffalo), it's a delicious mixed drink and Creekview makes a great one.

I'll second that Gabriel's Gate has good service, and I've been there dozens of times. The issue to watch out for there is that they don't do separate checks, and if someone in your party is ordering soda, it's not free refill. They are normally my favorite place for wings (along with Bar Bill), but the order I had a couple days ago were a bit sub-par. It's definitely worth getting an order of hot and an order of BBQ.

Community Beer's quality has suffered a bit since their original brewer left, IMO. He went to Thin Man, which probably now makes the best beer in the Buffalo city limits (I'll still take 42 North in East Aurora as best overall).

Cole's you cannot go wrong with. Awesome beer selection, great food menu, cozy atmosphere.

 

Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I'll chime back in with my experiences and thoughts next week. Cheers!

 

If you go to Aurora brew works order wings and beef from bar bill next door and bring them in. Incredible. And 42 north down the road is great

 

Here is my feedback from what turned out to be a super enjoyable trip, thanks again for all the input.

Day 1-
Gabriel's Gate for wings. As promised, the service was great and the wings were delicious. Tap list was meh but we planned to go elsewhere for drinks after. After dinner we hit up Moor Pat. Great tap list. Had my first singlecut (ipa) and first sloop (sour), enjoyed both. Bartender was great and made a list of recommendations when he found out we were from out of town. Which basically reiterated all of your recommendations.

Day 2-
Thin Man! Very impressed with this place. Had a flight of IPAs which were great and the food was fantastic. This was probably the highlight of the trip. Burning money was my favorite and I liked Bliss too. Bacon nubs! Jesus, these were delicious. Meatloaf was fantastic, both were recommended by our bartender (no way she eats as many as she claimed). Even got to try my first Grimm (out of a bottle). No need to go anywhere else this night. We were testing at Calspan for work, so we got a kick out of the crash test themed bar based on Calspan's old thin man (muse for the brewery I guess).

Day 3-
Allen Burger Venture for dinner. I probably wouldn't get the bison burger again. The bison was good but didn't dig the mashed potatoes on it. Tap list was good and I got to try my first lord hobo (can). We popped over to coulter bay for drinks after. For as many taps as they had I struggled to find something that I really wanted, 1 obligatory pour and then we left. Headed to Fat Bob's to finish the night. They had 3 Grimm IPAs on draft. At this point I wished I hadn't burned 1 of my allotted beers at coulter bay. Went with the magnetic compass and liked it, wish I could have tried more.

Great trip thanks to all your recommendations, thanks again!

 

Sounds like a rad trip, glad you had such a good experience!