> by brian campbell

The collective craft beer minds of the Buffalo-Niagara region will showcase their true brewing acumen at the first ever Buffalo Niagara Brewers Invitational, which will features scores of rare, one-off and specialty beers brewed right here at home. The inaugural BNBI will take place Saturday, April 2 at Pettibones Grille (One James D. Griffin Plaza, Buffalo), from 2-5pm.

The Buffalo Niagara Brewers Invitational will bring together leading brewers from around the area, as well as breweries from neighboring cities and states, celebrating fresh and local craft beer brewed in the Buffalo-Niagara region. Not only will you have the chance to sample a number of rare locally crafted beers, you will also have the chance to interact with the brewers themselves and get up close and personal with those most directly responsible for the libation that fills that glass in your hand.

This unique event, which is brought to you by the Buffalo Niagara Brewers Association and Pettibones Grille, will feature beer brewed by all 20 BNBA member breweries, including 12 Gates Brewing Company, 42 North Brewing Company, Big Ditch Brewing Company, Community Beer Works, Ellicottville Brewing Company, Five and 20 Spirits and Brewing, Flying Bison Brewing Company, Four Mile Brewing, Gene McCarthy’s Brewery & Kitchen (Old First Ward Brewing), Gordon Biersch, Hamburg Brewing Company, New York Beer Project, Pan Am Grill & Brewery, Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, Resurgence Brewing Company, Rusty Nickel Brewing Co., Southern Tier Brewing Company and Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company.

Additionally, the Buffalo Niagara Brewers Invitational will also feature ten guest breweries. Among those breweries invited are Brewery Ommegang, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Voodoo Brewery, Lavery Brewing Company, Three Heads Brewing, Ithaca Beer Company, Singlecut Beersmiths, Grimm Artisanal Ales, Saranac Brewery, Stoneyard Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Other Half Brewing, Smuttynose Brewing Company and Prison City Pub and Brewery.

The beer list is currently being finalized and will be available online at www.buffaloniagarabrewersassocation.org in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the Buffalo Niagara Brewers Invitational are on sale now for $39 (presale). Not only does your ticket include samples of all the beer offered at the event, it also includes a buffet of old school pub food that has been “kicked up a notch.” Only a very limited amount of tickets are on sale for this event, so do not hesitate and purchase your today. Tickets can be purchased right now at the Buffalo Bisons Box Office, Tickets.com, all Consumer’s Beverages locations, Premier Gourmet, Kegworks, and most local breweries (all you have to do is ask the next time you order a fresh pint!).

The Buffalo Niagara Brewers Invitational is the first of many marquee events that the BNBA will put on in 2016. The 3rd Annual Farm-to-Pint Fete, which features brews made by local breweries made from locally grown and produced malts and hops, happens May 15 at Hamburg Brewing, the 3rd Annual Buffalo Brewers Festival @ Canalside, featuring 30+ New York State and guest breweries, local chefs and food trucks, and a Meet-the-Brewer tent, takes place on June 18, the 7th Annual Buffalo Beer Week returns September 23—October 2 and the 1st Annual Canadian-American Beer Festival, a two day cross border beer festival in Niagara Falls, USA and Niagara Falls, Canada, takes place October 28th & 29th.

Located on the first base side of Coca-Cola Field, Pettibones Grille is the perfect location for a sporting and dining evening like no other. Their unique atmosphere, diverse menu that includes the Hall of Fame Bistro, and professional staff await your next trip to Coca-Cola Field. For more information on Pettibones Grille, head over to www.pettibonesgrille.com.

Beer coverage done in partnership with Buffalo Niagara Brewers Association. Visit www.BuffaloNiagaraBrewersAssociation.org.