43 Wines in the Wild & NYS Craft Beer Fest: A Summer Recap of Great Beer and Mead

In this special recap episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, host Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League breaks down his experiences at two major events: Wines in the Wild at the Buffalo Zoo and the 2025 New York State Craft Beer Festival at Canalside.

From hard-to-find meads to fresh local lagers and incredible festival highlights, Brian shares the standout pours and memorable moments from a week filled with great drinks.

🍷 Wines in the Wild (Buffalo Zoo)

• First time back since 2018 — event was sold out
• Early frustration with parking and lines, but quickly forgotten once inside
• Standout pours included:
• Pallas DIPA from Mortalis
• Peak Amplitude: Citra from Frequentem
• Admiral mead from Queen City Meadery
• Carbonated Blueberry Mead from Wildflower Meadery
• Wide drink selection for non-beer drinkers (wine, cider, cocktails, seltzers)
• Enjoyed wandering the zoo with a drink in hand—polar bears, vultures, goats, and more

🍺 New York State Craft Beer Festival (Canalside)

• Brian returns after 3 years; festival better than ever
• Amazing weather, great crowd, and even better beer
• Top pick: Eckhart Beer Co. from Brooklyn with 6 lagers (5 served on side-pull, 1 from gravity keg)
• Favorites: Czech Dark Lager, Helles, German Pils
• Other standouts:
• Strike Anywhere (Czech Pils) from Smoldered Society
• Wandering Alone (10.6% TIPA) from Dens
• Patio Freaks (Hazy Pale Ale) from Thin Man x Other Half
• Dot Undelager from Hofbräuhaus Buffalo
• Yellow Jacket Lager from First Line Brewing
• Citrus Surge from Hamburg Brewing
• Methodology #2 (Barrel-aged Wild Ale w/ Blackberry) from Eli Fish

Also, shoutout to Hofbräuhaus and Pearl Street/Riverworks for offering water stations—hydration was key on a hot, sunny day.

Other Mentions:

• Pre-show beer: Lovejoy Lager from Buffalo Olde Brewing
• A mini-rant on beer pricing and picking up a $5.99 six-pack of Utica Club at Wegmans
• Possible plans to attend Flower City Brewers Festival in Rochester on August 22

Want to be featured on the show?

Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER and share the best thing you drank this week—beer, mead, cider, event, brewery visit—anything!

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