Buffalo Beer Buzz, September 4th, 2026

See the video on Youtube Thursday slipped right past us, but we could not let the week wrap up without diving into the latest Western New York beer news. Scott is bringing along an early sample of his homebrewed Festbier. It has been lagering for four weeks and is still working on its carbonation, but the countdown is officially on to have it in peak drinking shape for the Bills' kickoff. On the other side of the screen, Brian is staying classic with a fresh pour of Resurgence Brewing’s Flats & Drums Pale Ale. Between planning for the upcoming Bills opener, dodging accidental spoilers for next week's Best Beer I Drank This Week, and mapping out some Friday evening hangs out in Gowanda, we have a stacked lineup of local happenings to share. Here is what is on tap across the 716: Spotted Octopus Sets Sights on Seneca Street: Big moves are happening for Spotted Octopus Brewing as they prepare to open their new Buffalo home at 500 Seneca Street, the former Dobutsu space. The setup boasts room for roughly 120 people inside, an initial eight-tap bar with plans to expand to sixteen, and food provided by Flow Food Buffalo—complete with their famous Rochester-style garbage plates. Look for them to open their doors by late September. Habitat for Humanity BOGO Beer Tour Cards: If you want to drink great local craft while supporting an incredible cause, Habitat for Humanity’s 2026 Craft Beer Tour Cards are currently buy-one-get-one-free. For thirty bucks, you get a card good for a free drink at twenty-eight participating local breweries, cideries, and distilleries, with all proceeds going to help Habitat Buffalo build homes for families in need. Purchase Link The Arc of Erie County Ale Trail: Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 24th, as The Arc of Erie County hosts its 6th annual Ale Trail fundraiser along the wooded walking trails at 30 Wilson Road in Williamsville. From 4:30 to 9:00 PM, guests can stroll through the grounds sampling local craft beverages from over a dozen Western New York makers alongside food trucks, live music, and artisan vendors. Ticket Link The Great Pumpkin Chug Returns to Resurgence: If drinking beer directly out of a hollowed-out gourd is on your fall bucket list, Resurgence Brewing has you covered on Saturday, September 26th. Their annual Oktoberfest celebration features the return of the Pumpkin Chug alongside stein hoisting competitions, pumpkin smashing, seasonal food, and live tunes from the Polka Boys. Reserve a Pumpkin Tap & Craft Festival Heading to RiverWorks: Buffalo RiverWorks will host the Tap & Craft Festival on Friday, October 23rd, featuring pours from over thirty breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Ticket tiers range from general admission to the VIP experience with extra festival perks, and in-person tickets can be grabbed fee-free over at The Lock Tender in Lockport. Ticket Link Connect with us: Web: Buffalo.Beer Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) Shopping: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague / @WNYBrews