This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian from the Buffalo Beer League cracks into his first featured beer from Griffon Brewing—and it’s a juicy powerhouse. Tai Cheetah is an Imperial New England IPA clocking in at 8% ABV, brewed with a blend of Centennial, Mosaic, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops.

Bursting with flavor, Tai Cheetah serves up bold notes of mandarin, white peach, apricot, and stone fruit, with a smooth body that somehow hides that high ABV a little too well. Brian breaks down the tasting experience, why this beer stands out among Griffon’s lineup, and how it pairs perfectly with backyard hangs, fridge restocks, and maybe a few questionable decisions.

Also in this episode:

• Why Tai Cheetah won’t get lost in the back of your fridge
• Thoughts on Griffin’s other beers (like their Kellerbier and Full Nelson)
• A shoutout to Magic Bear and Consumers Beverages for stocking Griffon cans
• A plea to call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline with your own beer picks: 716-486-BEER

Beer Details:

• Beer: Tai Cheetah
• Brewery: Griffon Brewing (Youngstown, NY)
• Style: Imperial / Double New England IPA
• ABV: 8%
• Flavors: Mandarin, white peach, apricot, stone fruit
• Hops: Centennial, Mosaic, El Dorado, Galaxy
• Rating: 4.02 on Untappd

Follow & Support:

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📲 @BuffaloBeerLeague everywhere

📧 Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com

📞 716-486-BEER – Leave a voicemail and be on the show!

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New beer. New episode. Every week. Cheers! 🍻

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This week on The Best Beer I Drank This Week, host Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League celebrates a standout local lager that’s perfect for summer: Simon Pure Light from Buffalo Brewing Company. At just 3.5% ABV, this ultra-light American lager is crisp, clean, and incredibly drinkable—making it one of the lightest local lagers available and an absolute crusher for hot days, lawn mowing, or poolside sipping.

Brian shares his personal experiences with the beer—from drinking it during yardwork to crushing it at parties—and explains why Simon Light has earned a top spot among Buffalo Brewing’s already excellent lineup of lagers.

🍺 Featured Beer:

Simon Pure Light – Buffalo Brewing Company

• American Lager | 3.5% ABV
• Crisp, clean, and refreshing
• Notes of bread crust and biscuity malt
• Light-bodied but still holds a firm malt presence
• Available in 12oz cans at the brewery (Myrtle Ave. Taproom)

Why It Stands Out:

• One of the lightest lagers being brewed locally—not macro light, but real craft character
• Retains the malt body of regular Simon Pure (4.5% ABV)
• Perfect for:
• Lawn care and yard work
• Poolside lounging
• Beer pong and yard games
• Sessioning without feeling weighed down
• Brian's favorite quote: “It looks like a beer, it smells like a beer, and it tastes like a beer.”

Shoutouts:

• Cheers to John Domres and the team at Buffalo Brewing for nailing this ultra-light lager
• Congrats to the brewery for reaching their crowdfunding goal for a new chiller—more lagers coming soon!
• Look for Simon Pure Light in cans (and possibly on side-pull draft!) at the Myrtle Ave taproom

📣 Call the Hotline:

Tried Simon Pure Light? Got another beer to recommend?

📞 Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER

Leave a message with the best beer you drank this week, and you might be featured on a future episode!

📲 Follow & Support:

🌐 buffalobeerleague.com

📧 Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com

📱 Social: @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), and Untappd

🛒 Shop using our affiliate link: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

⭐ Rate and review the podcast—5 stars goes a long way!

Thanks for tuning in! Grab a few cans of Simon Pure Light while they last, and let Brian know what you think. Cheers to local lagers! 🍻

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First off, huge thanks to Mark from Livingston County for calling the Buffalo Beer League Hotline and shouting out a lager from Fifth Frame Brewing as the best beer he drank this week! We love hearing from listeners, so keep those calls coming—(716) 486-BEER.

In this episode of The Best Beer I Drank This Week, Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Beer League spotlights Patio Freak, a crushable hazy pale ale from Thin Man Brewery and Other Half Brewing. Clocking in at just 5.2% ABV, this one’s lighter than your typical Other Half IPA—and that's exactly what makes it shine.

Originally sampled at the 2025 NYS Craft Beer Festival at Canalside, Patio Freak quickly became one of Brian’s festival highlights. With soft citrus notes, a creamy body, and an easy-drinking finish, it’s the kind of beer you want in your fridge all summer long.

🍺 Featured Beer:

Patio Freak – Thin Man x Other Half

• Hazy Pale Ale | 5.2% ABV
• Hopped with Mosaic, Cashmere & Citra
• Tasting notes: Lemon-lime soda, tangerine, orange, and a hint of fruity candy
• Soft, creamy mouthfeel with a smooth, lightly resinous finish
• Available in cans and draft (check availability at Other Half Buffalo)

Episode Highlights:

• Why Patio Freak’s 5.2% ABV is a breath of fresh air
• Brian reflects on tasting it at the NYS Craft Brewers Festival
• Comparison to Thin Man’s Super Freak (could this be a spinoff?)
• Hopes for more sessionable releases from Other Half
• What makes this beer perfect for warm weather sipping

📣 Share Your Pick of the Week:

Big thanks again to Mark from Livingston County!

Want to be featured on the show? Call the Buffalo Beer League Hotline at (716) 486-BEER and tell us about the best thing you drank—beer, cider, mead, seltzer, anything goes.

📰 New at BuffaloBeerLeague.com:

• The Art of Spunding: Four local brewers (Brickyard, Buffalo Brewing, First Line, Hofbräuhaus) discuss naturally carbonating lagers.
• Craft Beer Golf Tournaments You Can’t Miss: A look at four fun, beer-filled tournaments from Buffalo to Batavia, including the WNY Brewers Guild event in August.

📲 Connect & Support:

🌐 Website: buffalobeerleague.com

📧 Email: Brian@BuffaloBeerLeague.com

📱 Social: @BuffaloBeerLeague on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Untappd

🛒 Use our Amazon affiliate link: buffalobeerleague.com/amazon

⭐ Leave a rating and review wherever you listen—it helps a ton!

Thanks for listening! Go grab a Patio Freak before it’s gone, and don’t forget to call the hotline with your own pick of the week. Cheers! 🍻

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