Buffalo Rising Online

I bought a block of whiskey flavored cheddar cheese here last week.

Sh!t was goooooooooooood!

Does anyone know what the story is with Jimmy Macs, kind of miss that place. Is it ever going to reopen?

Um, like I totally need to go there.

Are we sure suburbanites come into the city? I mean it's so "dangerous". Perhaps VBM is challenging an "urban legend" of Buffalo here? The next time I drive from Amherst to the Lex Co-op to do my weekly shopping, or to drop my daughter off at daycare, or to go out to dinner, or to go to work, or to go for a run, AND to stock up at the VBM, I'll have to be sure to see if there really are any of my fellow suburbanites in the city. (Note: hint of mid-week sarcasm).

WilliamZabka wrote:

"if they REALLY want to differentiate themselves, I suggest VBM start carrying beer that isn't distributed in NY. Take a long weekend to drive through neighboring states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, maybe down to the mid-Atlantic, more into the Mid-West) to pick up some craft brews that you can't get in NY throuh distributors and sell a few six packs to interested customers. Maybe start a monthly email newsletter for customers, letting them know what's in stock, and what "non-distributed" brews are in-store."

That would be great, except for the fact that its illegal. I'd be overjoyed if I could get the likes of Bells or Founders locally but it doesn't make much sense for a new business to risk it's license over having a few extra beers.

There are a bunch of quality beers legally distributed in NY State that don't get to Buffalo - Hair of the Dog & Alesmith to name a few on my short list. Rather than bring in stock they can't legally have, VBM should focus on these labels for now.

As for Consumers, I agree that BR's policy of 'city only' is shortsighted. Still, VBM has, to this point, been quite competitive with Consumers. Some bottles are slightly more expensive, others slightly less. While the Elmwood consumers might have a few more varieties in stock than VBM their stock often moves too slowly (check out the best by date on the Ruination next time you're in there.)

Allstar = another WNYMedia minion calling BRO 'Elmwood Rising.' So clever. Now where did that WNYMedia 'office' locate? Oh the irony.

Allstar I was just there last night and they have a very comprable if not better selection of beers for my tastes than Premier. Beer is all about taste and they have something for everyone. And they even have a few beers that they claim are "New to NY" so maybe you should try going there and seeing what they have before you assume premier is better. I am not saying that premier isn't good. It's an amazing place and they do have more space and therefore more overall selection. That should in no way discount the purpose of the VBM and someone else willing to make some money and invest in the city. Competition is good. And who knows if the VBM takes off maybe it could become as big as Premier.

Plus I can walk there instead of the necessity to drive to Premier for a good beer.

Thanks Joshua. Wasn't sure what kind of response that'd get.

All this talk of VBM has givne me a hankerin for a nice IPA or a Bock.......

They need to get Custom Brewcrafter's Hazelnut on draft there. My growler is waiting!

woops, premier, consumers, same story. Both are larger more established names. Still doesn't explain why you feel that BRO is somehow doing injustice to the beer community by posting articles on the VBM.

Isn't there a consumers on Hertel near Military.. Maybe that's Black Rock Beverage. There is one on Broadway near Bailey near the Broadway Market.. Plus BRO has referred to going there (CB) for specialty beers in a couple past cooking and beer volumes. I remember being directed to the Consumer's Beverage's website before through the articles. I don't think they are doing one injustice or the other. VBM is new and getting press, I am sure eventually BRO will get around to another Consumer's article or reference as well.

WilliamZabka, Didn't mean to imply that the beers were illegal - just not approved for sale in the state. I'd be overjoyed if I could head to VBM and get Expedition or Founder's Centennial as a 'friend' but I don't think that the liquor control board would be too happy about that occuring through a beer store.

Believe me, whenever someone I know goes on a road trip I give them a list of stuff to bring back :)

im about to go check this place out, i doubt it has more beer selection then Premier Gourmet or even consumers.... they need a website big time. It will help there business, with a beer list, or atleast a "Whats on tap?" posting for us beer lovers.

So i checked it out, they have a pretty decent beer selection. But saying that they have the biggest beer selection in the city? far from it. They did have stone brews in stock and any place that carries any stone beer makes me happy. But Premier Gourmet has about 2x as many varieties of craft brews and specialty beers. Its a cool little store, it will do well in that area. But i live in tonawanda premier gourmet is about 7 minutes away and the consumers on sheridan is about 5 minutes. They do have some cool specialty food items, and i will probably stop in to eat. But a real website is well needed like i said before. Especially for seeing what they have on tap, or whats coming up. That will attract some beer snobs like myself and my friends to come down if they have something good on tap.