Some say that my fair city of Buffalo has a drinking problem, and that the craft beer industry has gotten out of hand, and also become too pretentious--those people are probably sober though. This place has (and I'm biased) one of the best beer scenes on the east coast, with a number of new breweries opening up every year, each having their own unique flavors, and with no sign of slowing down. What better choice to start my Beer of the Week series with than Buffalo Brewing Company's take on a classic Western New York flavor: Loganberry.
Now you're probably saying: "Dan, isn't starting a beer-of-the-week series just a sad way of validating even more drinking?" And I'd say "you can go to hell--and also, yes." Moving on!
So, what's a loganberry? A quick Wikipedia search tells me it's a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry--how clever. While I've never seen an actual loganberry, the flavor is well-known all over Western New York and southern Ontario, made popular by a long-defunct amusement park up in Crystal Beach, Ontario, which served it as a soft drink flavor. While the park is dead, the flavor is not, and loganberry soda/pop can be found throughout the region. Recently, the flavor has begun making it's way out of the soft drink industry, and into things like chicken wing sauce, and naturally, beer.
Enjoying a pint on Buffalo Brewing Company's patio.
Enter Buffalo Brewing Company's 1890 Loganberry Ale--1890 signifying the year that Crystal Beach Amusement Park opened, this ale expertly combines the classic loganberry flavor with a 5.0% ABV full-bodied ale. Those of you who don't like fruit or sweeter beers may be put off, but it's not overly sweet, and is relatively easy-drinking for an ale. Best enjoyed on a hot summer's day, it's a great beer to start off with, though I don't know if I could do more than two. The good news is, Buffalo Brewing Company has a number of hand-crafted and delicious beers to try in a more intimate setting than most craft breweries. If you find yourself in my fair city, pop in for a pint or two, or take some to go--there's always plenty of good beer for sale in their cooler!
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