Buffalo Beer/New York State

Southern Tier, Ithaca. Not NY, but Clown Shoes. Wish we had Bells here.

 

BEER:
Community Beer Works, its a new nano brewery that opened about 3 weeks ago and their first two offerings are really solid.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28535/80536
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28535/80537
Flying Bison is okay..some of their offerings are average, some subpar. Aviator Red, Rusty Chain, and Buffalo Lager are available in lots of bars. You may also find some Ellicottville Brewing Co. on tap at the better beer bars too, hit or miss.
AVOID: Pearl Street Brewery (nice looking building, downtown, but the beers are ALL medicore at best)

BOTTLES:
The best bottle shop should be opened up by then in their new location. Only problem is the selection is an unknown. They had a really solid selection before they started their moving sale but a lot of inventory was cleared out. Their selection is suppose to be similar when they open but that remains to be seen. You can check out Village Beer Merchant on Elmwood as their selection is decent. There are 17 locations of Consumers al over WNY but each location is different than the next, some are decent, some are really weak.

FOUNDERS:
Um...you may get some takers but those that want it can go to Erie PA or Syracuse to pick it up. Once Premier reopens, they are suppose to be bringing it in...so unless you have something to offer that doesnt get wide distribution, then you may not find any takers.

BARS:
Blue Monk
Coles (also next door to Mr Goodbar)
McGregors
Both locations of Pizza Plant

Good Luck on the marathon, the roads are a little rough in spots of the route.

 

+1 on the Blue Monk recommendation. I was driving back from Niagara Falls and decided to have lunch in Buffalo. Found this place on the BA directory and stopped in. Taplist is easily 50 deep, decent bottle list too. My only regret was that they only serve brunch on Sundays until 4 or 6pm. I really wanted some mussels. Great ambiance too.

 

The only real variances between Consumer's locations are size (bigger stores have more variety), what's on tap for growlers, and what old beer is still on the shelves (~2 month old store with 2010 old guardian on the shelf, wonder where that came from). Most bigger stores get the more "limited" releases, but the truly limited stuff goes to Premier Gourmet and/or VBM.

I wouldn't mind some MI stuff, Kuhnhenn's meads specifically and well things in cans.

 

I'm headed to Michigan on Friday. I'll look around for some meads for you.

 

If you are cutting through Ontario, an option might be to check out some of the bigger LCBO stores, like London Maisonville. This can be done online.

Also, I wouldnt overlook some of the local food stores, Tops or Wegmans. Some suck but others are pretty decent since the above mentioned bottle stores havent restocked. Coming from Ontario I can always find something to buy.

 

There is a buffalo marathon? missed that boat...

Founders is currently being distributed in CNY (aka utica, NY - 3hr drive east from buffalo) and making its way West - just picked up my first 6-pack of centennial @ marcy discount this past week.
Therefore, I would bring any bells, FFF (yes I know it's not MI), new holland, dark horse... none of those are distributed in this area (3). My wants are posted in my profile and if you see anything we can probably make an IP trade for sure.

Definitely check out blue monk or coles and try to get some community beer works if it's on tap (1). Shango has a good line-up if you're in the mood for creole. Ithaca generally makes some great beers (flower power and 14 may be on tap (1)).
Premier gourmet may still be in a weird transition phase so you may catch either their grand opening or a 20% off leftovers sale...either way it's a win and you can get wayerbacher, southern tier, ithaca, sixpoint, troegs (2)....

 

Premier Gourmet on Delaware ave. is closed. The sign on the door didn't specify when the new location would open, just said coming soon.

 

Bottle shop-Village Beer Merchant on Elmwood in the city. Great selection of bottles + 20 taps. Ask for Vinnie & you come away happy

 

Went into the new Premier yesterday, they said the Premier Gourmet would be opening this weekend.

 

Im sure as soon as it opens, Ethan will have a tweet out (hopefully) and I will be there immediately.

 

This thread came up at a perfect time. I'm heading home to Buffalo next month and was wondering if Premier would be open by then. Really hoping their new store has an equally good selection...and can't wait to try CBW.

Which Consumer's typically has the best selection? Sheridan near the Boulevard is the one I usually go to.

 

Sheridan/NF Blvd and Orchard Park are usually the best locations to go to IMO. The Sheridan Dr. location is a good stop and is now just a 5 minute drive from the new location of Premier. According to the floorplan for Premier, they will have the same sized floorplan but with the expanded corner for a growler fill station and a huge walk in cooler.

 

At Premier now, they have shelves in but no product to be seen....my guess, they are prepping for a Memorial Day weekend opening

 

BOO!

 

Buffalo at it's best.....or not

 

I would believe that sliverX is saying BOO because he wants them to be open now, not for any other reason. If your job title is correct as Director of Continous Improvement, do you think your comment has 'improved' this thread any? Think about it.

 

It's been what like a month since they've had anything worthwhile on shelves? Or shelves for that matter? What is a weekly trip for me has been put off far too long and with very little option to stave off the need to browse for beers. I'll stop into VBM on occasion but always leave hurting from sticker ****.

 

What ??