This week, Brian slows down to pay tribute to a true "Mount Rushmore" beer of the Western New York craft scene. While the quest for the newest, haziest, or rarest brew never ends, sometimes the best beer you drank is the one that’s been a reliable friend for years. We’re talking about the flagship of Big Ditch Brewing Company: Hayburner.

• Brewery: Big Ditch Brewing Company (Buffalo & Lockport, NY)
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• Beer: Hayburner
• Style: American IPA
• ABV: 7.2%
• Brian’s Verdict: A luscious, citrusy classic that remains as consistent today as it was years ago. It’s packed with notes of orange, melon, and grapefruit, balanced by a soft malt base and a firm, earthy bitterness on the finish. It’s "Buffalo’s IPA" for a reason—it’s the warm blanket of local beer.

Brian chose Hayburner this week because of a simple, memorable night putting together furniture with his wife. Amidst the chaos of sleeper sofas and ottoman assembly, he cracked open a Burner Relief Kit—a budget-friendly four-pack featuring two cans of Hayburner and two cans of Dayburner for just $8.99.

The "Same Beer Twice" Philosophy:

As a wise man once told Brian, "It doesn’t hurt to drink the same beer twice." In a world where we are constantly "chasing the new," we often overlook the flagships that built the scene. Hayburner is the beer you can find everywhere—from the high-end taprooms to your neighborhood dive bar—and it never fails to deliver. It’s a testament to the technical skill of Matt Kahn, Corey Catalano, and the entire Big Ditch team.

If you want to know everything there is to know about this beer, check out the WNY Brews archives. Brian and Scott hosted a "Deep Dive" episode with Matt and Corey specifically about Hayburner. It covers everything from the Idaho 7 and Falconer’s Flight hop profile to the history of how this beer became a Buffalo staple.

• Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) — Call in and tell us your favorite "flagship" Buffalo beer!
• Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague (IG/Untappd/Threads) | @BuffBeerLeague (X)
• Podcast: New episodes of The Best Beer I Drank This Week drop every Tuesday!

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This week, Brian visited a downtown Buffalo favorite for a milestone celebration and walked away with a new appreciation for a often-divisive style. We’re talking about Billy’s Smoking Jacket, a collaboration between Spotted Octopus Brewing and Brazen Brewing.

• Brewery: Spotted Octopus Brewing (Buffalo, NY) & Brazen Brewing (Lancaster, NY)
• Beer: Billy’s Smoking Jacket
• Style: Smoked Spring Bock (Maibock)
• ABV: 6.2%
• Brian’s Verdict: This beer is proof that "sessionable smoke" isn't a myth. It’s light, smooth, and incredibly approachable. While many smoked beers (Rauchbiers) can feel like drinking liquid campfire, this one uses smoked malt as a subtle undertone that props up the doughy, crisp notes of the Maibock base. It’s the perfect "patio furniture" beer for a Buffalo spring.

Brian stopped in during the 4th Anniversary bash for Dom, Ken, and the crew. If you haven't been to their spot on Edward Street (right near the corner of Franklin and Allen), you’re missing out on one of the most creative taplists in the city.

Pro Tip: Brian heard from the staff that Billy’s Smoking Jacket is moving fast. If you want to try this unique collab, get down to the Spotted Octopus taproom sooner rather than later. While you're there, Brian also recommends:

• Call the Kraken: Their flagship 6.9% Hazy IPA.
• Creations: A crisp, 4.8% Czech-style Amber Lager.

Smoked beers are notoriously polarizing—brewers like Rudy Watkins (now at Brickyard) have often noted they’d brew more if the public bought them more consistently! Brian challenges you to give this one a shot even if you’re a "smoke skeptic."

• Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) — Call and tell us: Are you Team Smoke or does it taste like a campfire?
• Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague (IG/Untappd/Threads) | @BuffBeerLeague (X)
• Recap: Check out our other special episode this week recapping the CollaBEERation 6 festival!

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This week, Brian isn't just picking one beer—he’s recapping the entire CollaBEERation 6 experience. This past Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Buffalo beer community descended upon The Powerhouse in Larkinville for the ultimate showcase of Western New York’s creative brewing spirit.

The competition was fierce this year, with nearly 40 collaborative brews vying for the coveted Buffalo Beer Geeks Championship Belt.

• 1st Place (The Winner): Eli Fish Brewing – Diddy Kong: The Reckoning
• Style: Banana Root Beer Seltzer
• Brian’s Take: This blew the roof off the place. It’s root beer forward with a smooth banana finish that tastes exactly like those old-school root beer barrel hard candies. A rare win for a non-beer/non-sour!
• 2nd Place: Quentin (Collaboration beer)
• 3rd Place (Tie):
• BriarBrothers Brewing – Bananas Among Us (Banana Maple Nut Brown Ale)
• Mountain Roads Brewing – Double Jump Juice (Double Dry Hopped IPA)

• The "Throwback" Play: Pod City Beer Labs (Pizza Plant) set up a full water-pong table for their Beer Pong Pils. In a sea of wild adjuncts, this "beer that tastes like beer" was the perfect refreshing palate cleanser. Brian admits to going back 7 or 8 times before the keg finally kicked!
• The Sabres Spark: BriarBrothers tapped Warpath Lager, their new Sabres-themed brew. Brian credits this beer for the Sabres' massive 6-1 win over the Bruins in Game 4 of the playoffs the very next day.
• Most Visually Stunning: New York Beer Project brought back the "glitter beer" with Rainbow Road Gummy Glitter, a pineapple blonde ale that looked incredible under the Powerhouse’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
• The Cask Comeback: Hamburg Brewing & Flying Bison teamed up for a re-brew of the legendary Brindle Porter. Seeing a cask at a festival always warms Brian's heart, and the version aged on rum chips and coconut was a standout.

A huge thank you to the organizers: Paul Marco, Joe Yeager, and Eric Coleman (Beer by Coleman). The VIP section was the best it’s ever been, featuring incredible guest pours like Human Robot’s 666 (a West Coast Pilsner collab with Widowmaker).

• Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) — Call us with your favorite collab from the fest!
• Watch: Look for full video recaps and interviews on the WNY Brews YouTube channel soon.
• Bonus Episode: Don't miss this week's other episode featuring Spotted Octopus – Billy’s Smoking Jacket (Smoked Maibock).

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