This week, Brian heads back out to Orchard Park to spotlight a triumphant return from Wayland Brewing Company. While craft beer fans are constantly looking for the next big release, Brian details why a look back at one of the very first beers Wayland ever put out reminded him exactly why he fell in love with their liquid in the first place: House Lager.

• Brewery: Wayland Brewing Company (Orchard Park, NY)
• Beer: House Lager
• Style: American Light Lager
• ABV: 4.2%
• Brian’s Verdict: A completely delightful and delectable American lager that Brian has refallen in love with. It is crisp, bright, and clean, featuring a great citrus hit up front alongside uniquely satisfying underlying notes of red berry. Balanced by a sturdy bread crust malt note and an ever-so-slight dryness on the finish, it is a masterfully constructed, well-rounded "crispy boy".

Before Wayland Brewing officially opened their doors, they brewed a series of about 12 canned beers—including this House Lager—and distributed them to local bottle shops like Aurora Brew Works. Brian bought them all back then, and tasting this new draft release brought all that nostalgia flooding back. The beer has received a phenomenal "glow up" since those early days, standing out as one of the absolute best lagers Wayland has produced to date.

The only minor critique? Brian was slightly bummed it wasn't pouring from a side-pull tap. Even though a side-pull presentation would elevate it even further, the sheer quality of the liquid in the glass more than makes up for it. It's a refreshing, sturdy option that's perfect for warm weather, whether you're playing bocce or sitting at a picnic table in Wayland’s stellar beer garden.

House Lager is currently a draft-exclusive release at the Orchard Park taproom. While you're visiting to grab a pint, be sure to head over to BuffaloBeerLeague.com and drop your email in the subscription box on the right rail. The League is launching a weekly newsletter to consolidate all of Brian’s articles and the various podcasts under the WNY Brews umbrella so you never miss a beat.

• Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) — Call the answering service and leave a voicemail with your favorite local lager!
• Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague (IG/Untappd/Threads) | @BuffBeerLeague (X)
• Dedicated Show IG: @thebestbeeridrankthisweek — Follow along as we approach Episode 80 and look out for new audio/video content on the WNY Brews YouTube channel!

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This week, Brian heads back down to the Old First Ward to spotlight an absolute heavy-hitter from Resurgence Brewing Company. While local taplists are routinely packed with rotating releases, Brian pauses to champion a returning champion that deserves a permanent spot on your local radar: Head in the Clouds.

• Brewery: Resurgence Brewing Company (Buffalo, NY)
• Beer: Head in the Clouds
• Style: Double IPA
• ABV: 8.4%
• Brian’s Verdict: Hands down, the best Double IPA Resurgence has ever produced. When fresh, this is easily one of the most underrated, slept-on DIPAs in Western New York. It blasts out of the glass with massive aromas of white peach, citrus orange, and sweet pineapple. On the palate, it’s a full-bodied, juicy explosion of grapefruit and papaya. It finishes deceptively light and clean for an 8.4% beer, anchored by a sticky, dank hop resin that lingers beautifully.

It doesn't hurt to drink the same world-class beer twice. In the relentless craft beer race to chase down what's brand new, exceptional flagships and occasional legacy releases get overlooked. Head in the Clouds recently received a fresh batch drop, and it proves exactly why it sits on Brian's personal Mount Rushmore of local IPAs.

A special shout-out goes to Jeff Ware at Resurgence for passing along a fresh four-pack to the League. This beer handles its massive 8.4% backbone with absolute grace—delivering big, aggressive hop notes that easily cut right through the signature haze without being harsh. If you've been waiting for a refreshing, tropical, yet deeply resinous local double, the time is now.

If you're hitting up the Chicago Street brewery soon, Brian recommends picking up their special America 250 Sitmo cans just in time for the 4th of July festivities. While you're there, grab Head in the Clouds on draft to compare it to the incredibly fresh 16oz cans currently making waves at local retailers.

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• Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com — Check out the WNY Brews tab on the right rail to hear our exclusive full-length interview with Matt and Corey!
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) — Did you pick up the new batch of Head in the Clouds? Call in and leave a review!
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• Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com
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• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague (IG/Untappd/Threads) | @BuffBeerLeague (X)
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• Dedicated Show IG: @thebestbeeridrankthisweek — Follow along as we unpack past episodes from our 75+ episode archive.

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This week, Brian stands inside Other Half Buffalo at Seneca One Tower, looks at a tap list dominated by 20 hazy IPAs and three fruited sours, and orders... a milk stout. Reaching past the hops, Brian treats himself to Egg Cream Milk Stout that trades the tropical fruit notes for a nostalgic trip down a New York City soda fountain lane.

• Brewery: Other Half Brewing Co. (Buffalo, NY)
• Beer: Egg Cream Milk Stout
• Style: Milk Stout
• ABV: 6.0%
• Brian’s Verdict: An absolute breakout hit amidst a sea of haze. Pours with big, decadent aromas of milk chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. Despite the rich scent, it remains incredibly light-bodied and smooth rather than cloyingly sugary. It lands right up front with massive notes of chocolate syrup, vanilla, and coffee with cream, finishing with a delicate hint of roasted malt in the background. Highly approachable and dangerously drinkable.

When Brian asked the bartender at Seneca One Tower what exactly an "egg cream" was, the bartender guessed it tasted like a Cadbury Cream Egg. Close, but no cigar! As Brian cleared up after doing some homework, a classic New York City egg cream is a historic soda fountain staple popularized in Jewish immigrant communities in the late 19th century. Made from seltzer, milk, and chocolate syrup, the drink famously contains neither eggs nor cream. Other Half and Junior's captured that frothy, nostalgic magic perfectly by infusing this 6.0% stout with real cocoa nibs and vanilla bean.

While the taproom board is heavily stacked with IPAs (including a stellar recent collaboration with Prison City), this sweet lone soldier is a must-try. It should still be flowing on draft at the Buffalo taproom, and Brian notes that you can likely still order cans shipped directly to your door through Other Half's website.

• Website: BuffaloBeerLeague.com — Look for the email sign-up on the right rail to join our forthcoming weekly newsletter!
• Hotline: 716-486-BEER (2337) — Have you ever had a real NYC egg cream? Call the line and tell us how the beer compares!
• Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com
• Socials: @BuffaloBeerLeague (IG/Untappd/Threads) | @BuffBeerLeague (X)
• Dedicated Podcast IG: @thebestbeeridrankthisweek — We are marching toward 100 episodes! Follow along as we upload the archives.

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