This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian heads back to the silos on Elk Street to revisit a brewery that has delivered hit after hit: Briar Brothers Brewing Company. It’s been too long since a Briar beer made it onto the show, so we’re fixing that today with their New England IPA Desk Pop — a soft, creamy, citrus-loaded hazy inspired by The Other Guys (yes, “aim for the bushes” makes an appearance).

Brian talks about first grabbing a mixed four-pack during a recent brewery stop, how fast this one disappeared, and why he wishes he’d bought more. If you’re a hazy IPA fan or a Briar Brothers regular, this one should be on your radar.

Desk Pop – New England IPA

Briar Brothers Brewing Company

ABV: 7.5%

Hops: Simcoe, El Dorado, Mosaic, Citra

Flavors:

• Honeydew and cantaloupe
• Dried tangerine
• Soft, pillowy mouthfeel
• Smooth tropical fruit and citrus layered over expressive hop character

What Brian Thought:

A standout hazy from a brewery that rarely misses. Rich, creamy, extremely smooth finish, and a balance of hop expression + fruit flavors that pops (pun fully intended).

Draft + cans at Briar Brothers Brewing Company (check for current availability — it goes fast).

Located at The Silos at Elk Street, Buffalo.

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Thanks for hanging out for another episode! New beers and new episodes drop every Tuesday on The Best Beer I Drank This Week. Next week’s beer is already on Brian’s shortlist — see you then.

Cheers!

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian spotlights a beautifully simple, elegant lager: Traditional, a Czech Pilsner from Belt Line Brewery & Kitchen. It’s the kind of pour that looks perfect in a dimpled mug with two fingers of foam—and tastes even better with Belt Line’s 716 Medium wings (a pairing you’ll hear more about in Brian’s upcoming taproom pairings piece).

He first revisited it on a birthday brewery bus stop and has since gone back for multiple rounds. Expect a crisp, classic profile with just enough bready snap to keep you coming back.

Traditional – Czech/Bohemian Pilsner

Belt Line Brewery & Kitchen — ABV: 4.8%

• Light, crisp, highly drinkable
• Cracker malt, light bread crust/toast point
• Clean, slightly dry finish; elegant foam in a dimpled mug
• Draft at the brewery (check for current availability)

On draft at Belt Line Brewery & Kitchen. If/when cans appear, Brian’s grabbing them—so should you.

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In this special episode, Brian recaps Bottles & Bites at Statler Buffalo (Nov 13). He, Jesse, and Scott hit GA this year—easy entry, stellar venue, and a strong mix of food, beer, wine, and canned cocktails. Pre-game was at Southern Tier Buffalo (Mediterranean Burger + Ghost Note IPL = clutch).

Beer stops & standouts:

• Mystic Hills & Schulz Bräu to start
• Hofbräuhaus Munich Oktoberfest (most-poured of the night)
• Big Ditch Kringle Juice IPA (keg kicked—drinking great)
• Resurgence Holiday Ale & Sipmo as the roaming pour

Food bites (from memory… because they went fast):

• Chef’s stuffed shells; meatballs
• Beef on weck; open-face Reubens
• Hofbräuhaus pretzels with beer cheese (until the cheese ran out)
• Hanson's sausage
• A surprise drunken pineapple upside-down cornbread that slapped

Venue vibes:

Statler remains an all-timer—opulent main hall, helpful mezzanine seating, live music, satellite bars. (Also wild personal note: same room as Brian’s high-school prom.)

• For a 2.5-hour GA window (6–8:30pm), several food vendors began packing up 8:10–8:15; by 8:30 many were gone. That’s tough for attendees.
• More visible rinse/water stations would help, especially with beer → cocktails → wine hopping.

• Consider VIP if you want the widest food selection before lines/stock dip.
• Hit beer first, then food—then loop back for a dessert splash.
• If Statler opens the mezzanine, grab a perch early.

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• Hotline: 716-486-BEER — What was your Bottles & Bites favorite?

Thanks to everyone who said hi and to the folks who came because of Brian’s recs—means the world. Back next Tuesday with a beer-focused episode. Cheers!

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