Buffalo has been brewing beer for over 200 years, so it’s no surprise the Queen City is filled with places to sip a cold one. If you’re equal parts hungry and thirsty however, you’ll want a spot that serves up snacks as well.
Here are 11 Western New York brew pubs that will wet your whistle and fill your tummy with delicious, and sometimes hearty, fare.
Thin Man Brewery
Recognizable by their colorful and whimsical cans, Thin Man Brewery has two locations in Buffalo. Sip on a Minky Boodle raspberry sour or tip a cold one on game day with a Pills Mafia. At their Elmwood location you’ll find meaty sandwiches, salads, and Buffalo wings to pair with your pint. Head to their Chandler Street spot to find a plethora of pizzas, subs and sweets. Some of their menu items are also made with their house brews.
Address: 492 Elmwood Ave. or 166 Chandler St. in Buffalo, NY
Community Beer Works
Serving up brews since 2012, this beloved local brewery expanded their offerings to include a full taproom restaurant to keep patrons well fed in addition to their beer menu. Grab some totchos (tater tot nachos) smothered in their That IPA beer cheese or beer chili simmered in their brown ale with locally sourced ingredients for the ultimate beer soaked meal.
Address: 520 7th St., Buffalo, NY 14201
Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company
Head for a short drive outside the city limits to North Tonawanda to find Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company. There are four tanks and 13 brews on tap at this brew pub located in the historic Wurlitzer building which once produced theater organs for the world. Meat lovers can take a bite out of a classic Buffalo beef on weck or for a meatless affair, order an item from their vegan menu made on an all-vegan flattop to remove the risk of cross contamination. If you’re up for more of a drive, this brewery’s original location can be found in Wilson in a historical cold storage building from the early 19th century.
Address: 908 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, NY and 638 Lake St, Wilson, NY 14172
Big Ditch Brewing Company
The Erie Canal opened in 1825, and skeptics referred to it as “Clinton’s Big Ditch” after the New York State governor who championed the project. Paying homage to this fact, Big Ditch Brewing Company also incorporates themed brew names like Low Bridge and Excavator. Their tap room menu makes use of these beers in their nachos with Low Bridge queso and their Excavator BBQ sauce on pulled pork.
Address: 55 East Huron St., Buffalo, NY 14203
Flying Bison Brewing Company
This Larkinville brewery lays claim to being the first stand alone brewery to operate in Buffalo since Iroquois Brewing closed its doors in 1972. With five flagship beers and plenty of seasonal offerings, there is a lot to taste while enjoying some snacks to soak it all in. Though their menu is limited, they do invite food trucks to their brewery and offer suggestions of food delivery while visiting their tap room.
Address: 840 Seneca St., Buffalo, NY 14210
Steel Leaf Brewing Company
Grab a spicy jalapeño wheat ale or go wild with a blue raspberry jolly rancher sour from Steel Leaf Brewing Company just a little ways east outside of Buffalo in Williamsville. This brewer is new for 2022, but has a full tap room menu of drafts, snacks, and sandwiches. Open in a former Dave & Busters, this brewpub aims to keep the fun going with an “indoor park” with games like Kan-Jam and corn hole. Bowling lanes left behind by the former tenant are also in use.
Address: 4545 Transit Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221
Website
Resurgence Brewing Company
Originally opening on Niagara Street, Resurgence Brewing Company moved to Chicago Street in 2021 with a bigger tap room and restaurant. Neighbors to Central Rock Gym and Hartman’s Distilling Company, it’s a bustling block full of activity with a buzz coming from the patio full of picnic tables and fire pits. The brewery has everything from IPAs session beers, sours and more; as well as cotton candy hard seltzers that are great for the summer heat.
Address: 55 Chicago St., Buffalo, NY 14204
Gene McCarthy’s
Located in the historic Old First Ward neighborhood, Gene McCarthy’s Irish Pub is also home to the Old First Ward Brewing Company. A chalkboard near the bar explains each brew’s flavor profiles and alcohol content. Patrons say you have to try their Sheffield (dry rub) wings or their reuben sandwich.
Address: 3 Hamburg St., Buffalo, NY 14204
42 North
Since 2015, 42 North Brewing Company has been running their 20 barrel production brewery and tasting room in East Aurora. The brewery gets its name from residing on the 42nd north parallel of the Earth. On top of their flights of beers, 42 North collaborates with Fat Bob’s Smokehouse to bring their patrons meaty meal pairings.
Address: 25 Pine St., East Aurora, NY 14052
Belt Line Brewery
With a name inspired by Buffalo’s Belt Line Railroad, this brewery opened to thirsty patrons in 2019. They have eight house-made brews on tap with the rest of the lines being filled with other local beers and ciders. Go light with snacks or get your grub on with one of Belt Line’s burgers, hoagies, sausage sandwiches and more. They even run a late night menu from Tuesday to Saturday, filled with finger foods.
Address: 545 Swan St., Buffalo, NY 14204
Southern Tier Brewing Company
One of the largest craft brewers in New York — and the country — Southern Tier originated in Western New York’s Jamestown and has opened its own Buffalo taproom. In addition to its hoppy, IPA filled beer menu, the food ranges from beer cheese pretzels to burritos and chicken parmesan lasagna.
Address: 7 Scott St. Buffalo, NY 14203
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