Labatt Lover Paradise: Brew House & The Draft Room
When Labatt moved their US headquarters to Buffalo 11 years ago I heard a rumor that one of the reasons was their 60 percent market share in the Queen City. I don’t know if that’s true or not but there’s no doubt that Buffalonians love us some Labatt’s. And if the beer maker’s state-of-the-art Labatt Brew House next to KeyBank Center is any indication, their market share is about to get a lot bigger.
If you’re from Buffalo chances are you grew up on the Canadian suds. The signature blue cans have been a staple at local bars, house parties, bonfires, and celebrations for years. And once their headquarters moved into the neighborhood, a full-blown love affair was on.
The latest chapter in our romance is Labatt’s Brew House. The re-purposed industrial building maintains its original blue collar feel with brick, wood and exposed steel under high ceilings while the prohibition-era motif gives you plenty of Instagram worthy photo-ops. The star of the show is Labatt’s first-of-its-kind Innovation Brewery and tasting room that serves you the brew master’s latest creations. On top of the 10-barrel brewery, there’s the adjacent The Draft Room operated by Pegula Sports and Entertainment featuring two bars, multiple seating areas and a beer hall. This place is huge!
While Labatt’s signature pilsner has been a fan favorite in Buffalo for years, they also serve up some tasty alternatives. I counted more than 8 different beers on the list that were brewed on-site. From a porter to a hefeweizen, there’s an option for everyone. And along with Labatt, local favorites like Big Ditch and Resurgence round out a strong list of 34 brews.
The Draft Room’s food menu is just in time for colder weather. Home-made pretzels and candied bacon strips highlight the appetizers while a smash burger, house made sandwiches, and pierogi are sure to keep you warm through the winter. The menu also offers suggested beer pairings to round out your meal.
There’s no doubt that Labatt Brew House and The Draft Room are two of the premier meeting spots before Sabres games and other arena events, but my favorite part about this place is its unique workspace appeal. Along with outlets on the bars to charge your devices and free wifi, the community tables in the beer hall provide a perfect place for creatives and business folks alike to set-up shop for an afternoon. There’s plenty of room and no reservations required. In fact, I’m writing this blog from Labatt Brew House right now!
So, whether you rustle up some friends for a beer hall hang or swing by with colleagues for a working lunch, make sure you get down to the Brew House and find out what Buffalo’s love affair with Labatt is all about.
Labatt Brew House and The Draft Room, 79 Perry St, Buffalo NY 14203
Check out more photos of the Labatt Brew House & The Draft Room below:
