Jul 15, 2016 – When summertime hits, there’s nothing better than enjoying a cold drink outside in the sun–especially when it’s locally made at one of the many breweries and distilleries around Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Buffalo has experienced an explosion of new businesses dedicated to producing beer and liquor over the past few years, with several new breweries and distilleries popping up around the city. We’ve put together a list of some of the best places to grab a drink this summer while supporting local businesses. Just be sure you have a safe ride home!

Breweries in Buffalo

Big Ditch Brewing Company – As one of Buffalo’s coolest brewpubs, Big Ditch offers craft beer and delicious eats in a sophisticated industrial setting on East Huron Street in Downtown Buffalo. Their name refers to the Erie Canal, which helped shape Buffalo’s economy in the early . All of Big Ditch’s beers are produced on site, and their two-story, 15,000 square foot taproom offers a wide menu that incorporates several of their brews into the food, including wings made with their Hayburner IPA and a “breuben” featuring corned beef brined in their Excavator Rye Brown Ale. Whether you come for the drinks, food or both, Big Ditch is one of the best places to kick back and enjoy summer in Buffalo.

Community Beer Works – As Buffalo’s first nanobrewery, Community Beer Works has been serving up their high quality, small-batch beer around Buffalo since April 2012. The brewery is located at at 15 Lafayette Ave. on Buffalo’s West Side, just a short 6 minute drive from our Delaware Park Apartments and four miles from our Main Jewett Apartments. Their beer is available at some of Buffalo’s best beer venues, including Hydraulic Hearth, Handlebar and Allen St Hardware. And they offer private tours for groups at their brewery, as well as free samples of their popular ales, IPAs and stouts.

Resurgence Brewing Company – Another relatively recent addition to Buffalo’s West Side, Resurgence Brewing Company offers some of the most unique craft beer in Buffalo. Their Sponge Candy Stout incorporates a Buffalo treat into a delicious brew with hints of coffee, chocolate and burnt sugar taste, and their Loganberry Wit is a nice lighter beer for the summer. Their beer garden is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful summer day or night, and their tap room offers a variety of snacks, including bread from popular bakery Breadhive. They also offer group tours by appointment. At only 3 miles from our Delaware Park Apartments, Resurgence is definitely worth a visit before summer ends.

Flying Bison Brewing Company – Located at 840 Seneca St in Downtown Buffalo’s Larkinville, Flying Bison was the first stand alone brewery to operate in the city proper since Iroquois Brewing closed in 1972. They offer tours for individuals and groups, and their popular brews, including Rusty Chain, Aviator Red and Buffalo IPA are available at the Lexington Co-op, Wegmans and convenience stores in the area, as well as on tap at local restaurants. And don’t miss their seasonal Buffalo Kölsch 716–it’s the ideal drinkable beer for the summer. Check out the video below to watch their brewing process in motion.

Buffalo Distilleries

Lockhouse Distillery – As the first distillery to open in Buffalo, NY since Prohibition, Lockhouse Distillery fills the void for those looking for quality spirits in a trendy, rustic setting. Located at 41 Columbia St in Downtown Buffalo’s Cobblestone District, the Distillery also features a bar serving up delicious concoctions with Lockhouse’s homemade gins, vodka, and even a special coffee liqueur made with Public Espresso & Coffee. They also serve snacks, including pizza and paninis, to help bar-goers avoid overindulging. Whether you’re visiting after a Buffalo Sabres game or making the short trip from one of our Buffalo apartments, you won’t be disappointed in Lockhouse’s offerings.

Tommyrotter Distillery – Another popular distillery serving up award-winning, small batch vodka and gin is Tommyrotter Distillery, located in the Hydraulics manufacturing district of Downtown Buffalo. They use homegrown American grains to produce their spirits, which have won awards for excellence across the country. Visitors can come to their multi-story distillery at 500 Seneca St. to watch and learn how their spirits are created through a glass wall. They can also enjoy a free sample of their handcrafted gin and vodka and purchase bottles to take home. Tommyrotter Gin and Vodka is also available at several popular local restaurants and liquor stores, so there’s no excuse not to support a local business while indulging in adult beverages this summer.

Buffalo Distilling Company – Back in the 1890s, Buffalo Distilling Company was one of the top local distilleries, making several popular whiskeys and gins. After a 100-year hiatus due to Prohibition, the distillery was re-opened in Downtown Buffalo’s Larkinville area. Today, Buffalo’s first Bourbon distillery hand-makes spirits in small batches from scratch using local corn, rye, barley and apples – as they say, “grain and juice to glass.” Their popular “One Foot Cock Apple Brandy” and “One Foot Cock Bourbon Whiskey” have blown up in popularity over the past year, being sold at over 30 local stores and 40 restaurants. They’re also scheduled to open their 860 Seneca St. location this August with a full service tasting room, distillery tours, new products and private events, and we can’t think of a better way to enjoy the last nice days of summer.