Sometimes a coffee or an energy drink hits the spot but other times, you just want to cozy up to your latest video game with your favorite locally brewed beer.

Below is a list of beers that The Geekiverse staff enjoys, all crafted from local breweries in Buffalo and Western NY. We’re lucky to have so many great breweries, but we have found the true success is in the people behind them. Please note, none of these are endorsed and we will not make a commission on any beverage listed below – we simply wanted to highlight our favorites and introduce the Geekiverse community to them.

Hayburner (IPA) – Big Ditch Brewing Co.

Josiah LeRoy: It’s quite possibly my favorite beer ever. Big Ditch’s signature beer is a hit no matter where you go in Buffalo. It’s the perfect blend of citrus and IPA bitterness, with a slightly higher alcohol content than your average IPA. You can find this one in most grocery stores and other retail locations in Western NY.

ABV: 7.2%

Pairs well with: All of your demon-slaying ventures in Doom: Eternal.

Let’s Go Pils (American Pilsner) – Community Beer Works

Jeff Pawlak: When it comes to beer, I’m a Pilsner kind of guy, and Let’s Go Pils is a local brew that I’ll always happily crack open. Crisp, golden, and a little grainy, it’s exactly what I look for when I need an easy drink that doesn’t overpower you with flavor, or a wild ABV content. The name alone is charming to any Western New Yorker who proudly calls themselves a Buffalo Bills fan. (Editor’s Note: There is currently a limited run higher ABV version called Imperial Pils available while supplies last)

ABV: 4.2% (The Imperial Pils is 9.0%)

Pairs well with: The laid back nature of however you spend your time playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Minkey Boodle (Fruited Sour) – Thin Man Brewing

Josiah LeRoy: I’ve been on a total sour kick for the last two months. I can’t get enough, after previously not liking them. Something just clicked one day. I have experienced a bunch of very good sour beers, but Thin Man’s Minky Boodle stands the tallest. It is, dare I say, perfect. They even recently released a limited run of Mecha Boodle, with double the fruit (I’m salivating at the thought of it). Big Ditch’s Berry Vision is in the conversation too. If you’re into sours like I am, you must look no further. Also, give me your recommendations! Visit me on Twitter.

ABV: 7%

Pairs well with: Traversing the wasteland in Fallout 4.

Luchabrew (Mexican Lager) – 42 North Brewing

Jeff Pawlak: Come for the awesome Lucha Libre-inspired artwork on the can, stay for a smooth Lager that balances its flavors like a wrestler on the top rope. Luchabrew has some bitterness, some spiciness, and even some honey sweetness, but the notes all team together in perfect harmony.

ABV: 5%

Pairs well with: All of the body slamming and drop kicking action in Guacamelee! and Guacamelee! 2.

Liquid Lollipop (Fruited Sour) – Froth Brewing

John Fick: Liquid Lollipop is an incredible heavily fruited sour series of beers by the good folks over at Froth Brewing. It seems like they put out a new fruit flavor in the Lollipop series every few weeks, my favorite of which has been the strawberry, passionfruit, and peach release. (that’s one beer, not three.) If you’re not traditionally into sours, it’s I’d still recommend giving this one a try, as it usually favors a sweeter fruit profile than sour.

ABV: 4.2%

Pairs well with: Ori and the Will of the Wisps and a Liquid Lollipop might just be too perfect. Beautiful rich colors from both, relaxing music in Ori, and a tropical aroma from the beer.

Interrobang (American IPA) – Community Beer Works

Pete Herr: From time to time, I am accused of being grumpy. What doesn’t make me grumpy is a good, juicy IPA from Community Beer Works. Interrobang is in my top three favorite beers that CBW has ever brewed (the other two may never be seen again) in their 8 years of making beer. I’m no chemist and don’t understand what makes the tastes, but I understand a nice citrus flavor when I taste it. This beer had its beginnings in the Singularity series, which is a new recipe yearly, but this one was so good that it made the menu permanently. Oh, and it won a gold medal for American IPAs at the NY TAP Awards in 2018. Also, I learned during the 5th episode of Drafting With Drafts that the symbol on the can, a question mark and an exclamation point mating, is an Interrobang.

ABV: 7.2%

Pairs well with: A good game of Asteroids or pinball in the CBW tap room with Brendon Van Allen

Trial By Wombat (New England IPA) – Thin Man Brewing Company

Frank Zawodzinski: One of my favorite beers to drink is a good NEIPA so I frequently go with Thin Man Breweries Trial by Wombat that hits you with peach, pineapple and orange with a great finish. I would say Wombat and Minkey Boodle is their flagship brews and don’t let the rabid Wombat on the can scare you away, it won’t bite! Although, I would say it’s probably one of the worst cans, in terms of art that I’ve ever come across but that’s the charm and probably why I love this so much! If you’re lucky to get it when it’s brewed the Wombat with Citra is phenomenal also!

Pairs well with: One of my favorite Super Nintendo games like Wild Guns or Super Metroid. Also, with a good session of Fortnite with the squad. Cheers!

Berry Vision (Fruited Sour) – Big Ditch Brewing Co.

Josiah LeRoy: Big Ditch isn’t just one of the best breweries in Buffalo. They aren’t just the creator of the perfect IPA in Hayburner. They decided “Hey, we want to make a sour beer that is high quality and incredibly drinkable.” Their words, not mine……. A six pack is competitively priced and is the perfect compliment to your beer fridge. Odds are, this one will be in my gaming rotation every few weeks…..at the least.

ABV: 5.4%

Pairs well with: Everything. But more specifically, sailing through the skies in BioShock: Infinite.

Volcano Bunny (Fruited Sour) – Pressure Drop Brewing

Josiah LeRoy: This beer is brand new, as in it just debuted this week (two days ago, to be precise). First of all, the name. Oh my goodness, the name. Second, pineapple. I’ve been to Hawaii, I love tropical/pineapple anything. Third, it’s one of the most well balanced sour beers I’ve ever encountered. Dry, light, and full of flavor. I’m going to have to pay them a visit again very, very soon.

ABV: 4.3%

Pairs well with: Watching John Fick destroy clickers in The Last of Us: Remastered.

SmashTag (IPA) – Old First Ward Brewing Company

Kyle Kulinski: I must admit I’m a sucker for IPA’s and this one never disappoints! This hazy juice bomb is hopped with citra and galaxy hops, which provide a balanced bitterness mixed with some tropical/citrus notes. This beer can be found at Gene McCarthy’s in the Old First Ward of Buffalo. Make sure you check out Gene McCarthy’s tap list before you head in for a growler fill.

ABV: 7.4%

Pairs well with: Any game in my opinion, but I really enjoyed it while using my poltergeist 3000 in Luigi’s Mansion 3.

We’re extremely lucky to have all these companies in Buffalo. During this Coronavirus crisis, they have all expanded their business to curbside pickup. You can visit their respective websites below.

Community Beer Works

Big Ditch Brewing Co.

Pressure Drop Brewing

Thin Man Brewery

42 North Brewing Company

Old First Ward Brewing Company

What are some of your favorite beers in your hometown? Drop them a line by commenting at Facebook.com/thegeekiverse.

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