Great Lakes Brewing News Archive

Western New York Beer News

Originally Published: 12/97

By Stephen Powell

It's Christmas season in Buffalo and it's time for another little known fact. In 1740, Admiral Vernon of the British fleet decided to water down the Navy's rum. Needless to say the sailors were not too pleased and called Vernon "Old Grog" after the stiff wool grogram coats he wore. The term "grog" soon began to mean watered down drink itself. When you were drink on this drink you were "groggy," a term still in use today.

-Info provided by Pete from Ulrich's Tavern, Buffalo, NY

Pearl Street Brewing Company (Buffalo's newest brewery restaurant) had their grand opening last month and business is off to a tremendous start! The brews on tap are: Railyard Ale, Lake Effect IPA, Waterfront Wheat, Seneca Saaz, Canal Street Stout, Cobblestone Amber, Black Rock Brown Ale, and Rookies Root Beer. These brews are all made right on location and their brewery is a full mash system. My favorite is Seneca Saaz. The food at Pearl Street is great and their desert menu is delicious and all made on premises, even the ice cream! All this with large portions and top quality ingredients. They have a great selection of wines and liquors that will satisfy even the most sophisticated tastes. You must stop down and check out Buffalo's newest brewery!

Flying Bison Brewing Company and all of us lost a friend in late September, Red Mrosek, to a motorcycle accident. Red was a prominent figure in Western New York's brewing scene for years and he will be missed by many. Red's memory however will live on in the beer brewing community with a brand to be named in his honor! Aviator Red named in his memory will be available this spring when the Flying Bison opens. Next time you're out, tip a beer in memory of Red.

Pizza Plant at the Walker Center has some very exciting beers coming in for the Christmas season. Anchor Christmas beer (one of my favorites) is due in soon. Also, December 17th is their Christmas Beer tasting, and they will have real Belgian beers on tap as well as some of the most unusual and exotic beers in the world! Don't forget, January 21st is the Rogue Beer Tasting.

Stop down and try one of Western New York's best fish fries with your beer, at Breckenridge Brewery. Their Christmas Ale will be on tap by the time you read this, and they also have a special, cask conditioned brew, called "Toothless Jack". Stop down on the holidays any check out their brews and food.

Buffalo Brew Pub has a happy hour that runs from 4-7pm offering $1.75 pints and well drinks. With over 30 beers on tap, they have one of the best selections in Western New York, and they also brew their own beers in house. Stop down for Hornsby Cider Night on December 17th at 7pm and don't forget their Scotch Tasting on December 3rd.

Alternative Brews has Western New York's best selection of bottled beers, and is busy bringing you more beers to taste than anyone else. Also, check out one of their cigar parties scheduled throughout the month. Stop in for their daily happy hour from 4 PM till 7 PM Monday through Friday. Don't forget Alternative Brews is a sponsor of the Grail Beer Judging on January 15th, to be held at 3488 Sheridan Drive in Amherst.

Niagara Tradition Homebrew Supply is holding a beer tasting on December 12 (7-9 PM), and a brewing class on December 6th. Don't forget the Grail Beer Judging on January 15th. Also Niagara Homebrew will be teaching brewing at UB with instructor Dr. Paul Dyster on February 4th & 18th, and March 4th & 18th. Contact Niagara Homebrew for more info.

Ellicottville Brewing Company is gearing up for the Christmas season (and ski season) with the best brewed beer possibly in the United States! At least, they make the best beer of any brewpub I've ever visited! Next time you're in Ellicott-ville, stop in and see for yourself.

Check out the History of Buffalo Breweries on the internet at: http://www.buffalonet.org

If you have comments, feel free to contact me at beer@historian.org