Less than four months after announcing it would be moving, Buffalo Brewing Company is ready to open up its new location. Saturday will be the official opening day for the new Heights taproom, completing the move from its former home at The Water Buffalo. It’s the first brewery to set up shop in the Heights neighborhood
“We’ve seen a lot of excitement from the neighborhood,” said Buffalo. “I purposefully didn’t cover the windows, because I wanted people to see our construction progress. And people have been looking and stopping. And those we’ve spoken to have been really interested. I think we’re going to be pretty busy at a minimum for the first month.”
The taproom is located on R St. next door to Burge’s Hickory Smoked Turkeys. Buffalo and his team have done a wonderful job renovating the former Painted Pig space and adding their own unique touches. In particular, the multi-colored natural wood slats on the bar and taproom wall are striking, as are the art installations on either side of the room. The bar and tables should seat more than 60 people who will enjoy one of the 16 offerings that Buffalo Brewing will eventually have on tap
“We’re going to roll out the menu,” said Buffalo. “All the taps are up there right now, but we’re going to roll it out so we don’t run out of beer all at once. So we’ll start with six or seven beers the first few days and slowly add more to control the flow of things.”
The six beers available at launch are Low Rider Blonde, Shelter Me (a malty ale), Blackberry Pale Ale, Polaris Pale Ale, Fortress IPA and a new cider that Buffalo made exclusively for the new taproom. There’s no kitchen at Buffalo Brewing Company; customers are encouraged to grab food from Burge’s or order some to be delivered to the taproom. There will be food trucks on occasion as well, including Excaliburger on Saturday.
“Expect us to have food options on the weekends,” said Buffalo. “During the week, swing by Burge’s and come on over, you’re always welcome to bring whatever food you want, we will always accommodate that.”
In addition to the taproom, Buffalo is working on getting his new brewing location set up. The brewery itself is moving to Jessie Road in the same shopping center where Discovery night club is set up. It will feature a small taproom and a large outdoor space for patrons to enjoy. The brewery should be open in the next month; the public-facing taproom area at that spot won’t open until later in the fall so that the Heights taproom can get situated first.
Buffalo Brewing Company in the Heights will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. It will be closed on Mondays.
