12 Gates Brewing has been a stop I’ve been meaning to make since they opened their doors last month. But holiday goings on, holiday travel, and the accompanying holiday sickness until now had stymied this goal from being accomplished. But I do not give up on beer so easily and when it comes to checking out 12 Gates, neither should you.
This micro brewery is set deep in the bowels of the business parks off Wehrle Drive in Williamsville. Trust me, don’t be a hero, Google map it. Once found, the simple facade invites you into a modest tap room backlit by the open brewery production floor. I took a seat at 12 Gates’ minimalist bar and a beer flight of varying styles was set before me. They all looked fabulous, ranging in gold hues, lucid to opaque, and ending with a jet black Nitro Coffee Porter. They were all true to style both in aroma and flavor and were all drinkable without a dud among them.
The White IPA and the West coast IPA stood out as tasty brews with promise. The 12 Gates White, heavy on the rye malt, is made with Belgian yeast, coriander and orange peel. It’s bright, flavorful and crisp. A refreshing summer-style type brew. The West Coast IPA is unabashedly hopped with citra, mosaic and warrior hops. It’s a mouth-coating sticky-dry with a crisp bite and loads of citrusy aromas.
From what I sampled at 12 Gates, this microbrewery is a welcome addition to the local beer scene. Look for their stuff on tap at bars and restaurants all over the Buffalo area. Cheers to more Buffalo-made beer.
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