Summers in Buffalo aren’t complete without a Buffalo Bisons game at Sahlen Field. There’s just something special about hearing the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd. Beyond the action on the field, a trip to the ballpark also means indulging in some of the region’s best local brews and bites at Consumer’s Pub at the Park and concession stands around the stadium. With a lineup of local beers on tap and a menu packed with Western New York favorites, Sahlen Field takes beer and food pairing to a new level. No matter what flavors your taste buds prefer, you can find food that goes well with beer at Sahlen Field.
Lagers: Light, Classic and Crowd-Pleasing
Clean, crisp and easy-drinking, lagers are a go-to for casual sipping at the ballpark. Brewed at cooler temperatures with a longer fermentation process, lagers are typically light in color with mild bitterness and moderate alcohol content. They go down smooth and pair well with just about everything.
At a Bisons game, try a lager with a classic hot dog, fries, pizza or anything on the buffet menu at Consumer’s Pub at the Park. The beer is also a great sip with WNY favorites like fried bologna sandwiches and pizza logs.
Pale Ales: Balanced and Versatile
Pale ales offer a nice middle ground between light lagers and intense IPAs. Known for their amber hue and malty backbone, pale ales deliver flavor without the full hop blast. They’re slightly bitter, moderately strong and adaptable to a wide range of ballpark fare.
Consider pairing a pale ale with a burger, slice of pizza or a buffet plate from Pub at the Park.
IPAs: Bold and Flavor-Packed
India Pale Ales (IPAs) are all about boldness. They’re hoppy, aromatic and often higher in alcohol content than other beers. Whether hazy, juicy or bitter, IPAs need food that can stand up to their intensity.
A spicy Italian sausage or beef short rib skewers bring a big flavor that works well with an IPA. Other dishes to pair with this beer include loaded nachos, salted pretzels or hot dogs with bold toppings.
Pilsners: Light, Sharp and Refreshing
Pilsners are technically lagers, but they have a bit more attitude. These light-bodied, carbonated brews offer sharp hop bitterness and spicy or floral aroma. Refreshing and slightly bitter, pilsners are great palate cleansers, especially when you’re snacking your way through the game.
Next time you have a pilsner at a Bisons game, try pairing it with a grilled Italian sausage, hot dog, pierogi or popcorn between innings.
Wheat Beer: Smooth and Sessionable
Wheat beers like hefeweizens and witbiers are cloudy, smooth and often citrusy. They’re usually low in bitterness and made for easy sipping. The beer’s soft character makes it great with light snacks and salty treats.
Consider sipping a wheat beer with snacks like soft pretzels, popcorn or French fries.
Kölsch: The Underrated Game-Day Hero
The kölsch is a hybrid beer, as it is brewed like an ale but conditioned like a lager. The result is a crisp, clean beer with a slightly fruity finish and dry aftertaste. It’s light enough for casual drinking but flavorful enough to complement food with subtle complexity.
Classic hot dogs, fried bologna sandwiches, soft pretzels and savory pierogies are great pairings for this kind of brew.
Experience It All at Consumer’s Pub at the Park
No visit to Sahlen Field is complete without a stop at Consumer’s Pub at the Park. Located along the first baseline, this open-air bar brings the feel of a local brewery taproom to the ballpark. With a rotating selection of Western New York brews and an elevated buffet of ballpark eats, the Pub is the ultimate spot to build your perfect beer pairing lineup.
Check out ticket and meal combos and reserve your spot!