In this third installment of the Smokey Sips series , Jason and Craig dive deep into a darker, richer side of smoked beer with Leaning Chimney — a smoked porter from Gray Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island.

After exploring a Märzen and a smoked Polish wheat beer in earlier episodes, the hosts shift gears to examine how smoke interacts with a more robust base style. Craig breaks down how smoked beers can be created from nearly any grain bill, and how the malt recipe, hopping, carbonation, and base beer style shape the final flavor experience.

The discussion takes listeners on a sensory journey. Comparing different smoke types — Beechwood vs. peat — and how smoke expresses itself differently across beer styles. They touch on porter history, cigar comparisons, barbecue wood varieties, brewing techniques, and how their palates evolve across a horizontal tasting of smoked beers.

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In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the Buffalo Brews Podcast, Jason and Bri settle in for a laid-back conversation filled with holiday nostalgia, brewing excitement, and upcoming events in the Western New York craft beer scene.

They kick off with Thanksgiving traditions—old, new, and evolving—as Bri talks about ditching the classic dinner for a full-on Thanksgiving breakfast featuring a waffle bar and tater-tot casserole. From there, the conversation flows into memories of family gatherings, football, and how holiday customs shift over time.

The pair crack open “I Got Your Six,” the American IPA Jason helped brew at First Line Brewing. They dive into the beer’s veteran-crafted hop blend, its light citrus profile, and the special can artwork featuring the names of the veteran brewers involved. They also recap the First Line Veterans BBQ with Buffalo Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson, plus some favorite finds from local vendors like Q42 BBQ and I Got Your Six Candle Company.

Next, Jason and Bri reveal their next big brewing collaboration for the 2025 Buffalo CollaBEERation Festival, for a video-game-themed beer.

As the beers keep flowing—including Big Ditch’s new Turkey Trotter Blonde Ale—the hosts wander into running stories: the Buffalo Turkey Trot, Disney races, trail-running surprises, and their own race plans for 2025 (including Tunnels to Towers and the Buffalo Marathon 5K).

They wrap up with early holiday spirit, Deck the Halls plans, Buffalo weather gripes, and plenty of laughter as the season ramps up.

A cozy, beer-filled, holiday-ready episode perfect for Thanksgiving week.

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In this installment of Bear-ly Getting Started, Jason sits down with Craig for the second entry in the “Smoky Sips” mini-series. Broadcasting from Larkinville, the duo dives deep into one of Buffalo Brewing Company’s most unique offerings: the 1976 Grodziskie, a traditional Polish smoked wheat ale affectionately known as the “Polish Champagne.”

Craig shares the story of how brewing this very style led him to meet brewer and Buffalo beer historian John Domrez, and how that connection shaped Craig’s hands-on path toward becoming a Cicerone. Together, Jason and Craig explore the Grodziskie’s origins, its subtle yet distinctive smoked wheat character, and its crisp, low-ABV drinkability that makes it an ideal “table beer.”

They break down the style’s flavor profile, the role of Polish ingredients like Lubelski hops, and why some drinkers lovingly (or not so lovingly) refer to it as the “kielbasa beer.” From pairing ideas—like grilled hot dogs, smoky cheeses, or pan-seared kielbasa—to the beer’s rich cultural history spanning centuries, the conversation highlights what makes this niche style both surprising and memorable.

As the pair wrap up beer two of the four-part series, they cleanse the palate and tease the next shift in smoked malt styles coming in the following episode.

Cheers—and get ready for another pour of smoke when you tune in next time.

Visit our website at BuffaloBrewsPodcast.com
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