BIG DITCH! You must put this in your mouth.

[Millon]

ALrighty all! Be gentle as this is my first review and I think this place was nigh on tailor made for all of us banders. hehehehe(US Banders. I think I like it here)

 

Buffalo is steadily growing as a premiere foody and micro brew area in Western New York (NOT UPSTATE!!!) The massive amounts of brewery selection provides a taste for everyone. Lately I've been on a mission to taste all of them and this lead me to Big Ditch Brewing located in down town Buffalo. Most recently Big Ditch has been named Best Craft Brewery in New York state in the TAP Festival. They've also won the silver medal for there IPA called Deep Cut. Big Ditch was named after the Erie Canal which carried the nicname 'the big ditch' as it was being constructed. The creators of Big Ditch wanted to craft a brand that would reflect the origins of Buffalo and the events that lead up to Buffalo becoming the City of Light. 

 

What drew me to Big Ditch after learning of them was that every food item on there menu features one of there very own craft brews in the recipe. From the pork schnitzel sandwhich served with beer brazed red onions using there IPA to the Black Forest cake baked using there Excavator Brown Rye Ale. I had to try it. The atmosphere of the Brewery is. . . . . lively. You can't help but feel the energy of the place and the excitement of there food and beer. Brewery/Restaurant, the place is roomy with bistro style and traditional tables. I think what helps the place to stand out as more brewery and restaurant rather than a bar is the lack of TV'S!! Yes! A bar without TV's! Definitely family friendly. 

 

When the missus and I ate there we were highly impressed. The wait staff were attentive and knowledgeable and MORE than willing to share there insight on the menu, the flavors of the brew and recommendations on food pairings. The brewery carries a steady stream of regular on tap brews and seasonal blends so there was a lot of info but it wasn't over bearing or too much to absorb. We started our meal with an appetizer called 'A Flight of Dips'. three house made dips served with house made tortilla chips. Buffalo Wing Dip, Spinach artichoke and a bean salsa. It's as rich as it sounds lol. I would recommend sharing this with at least 3 people before a meal as it nearly destroyed us lol. I had the Pork schnitzel that comes with a mountain of fries and the missus had the mushroom blue burger. Again, with a mountain of fries. You could definitely split a meal here with two people. Portions are pretty impressive. The food was spot on. I couldn't level a complaint towards the place aside from the massive portion sizes lol but who doesn't like left overs?! The price is well more than reasonable as some breweries go. I can't quite recall exactly how much was spent for the evening. An app, two sammiches and about 2-3 beers a piece (priced from 6-9$ a brew) and a healthy tip, I think we spent around $80.00 dollars.

 

We have since revisited and taken advantage of their growlers for sale. Oh! The growlers! You can bring ANY GROWLER YOU OWN and have it filled from one of there taps too! Not only do they offer there signature brews but often pair with OTHER breweries in western New York. Both on tap and in there dinner specials.

 

The feeling of the breweries here aren't so much in competition but like a . . . . . . community. Of course everyone wants to have the nicest lawns and best drapes in there windows but they also like to lend there neighbors a hand and really share the experiences there businesses offer. 

 

So, Big Ditch Brewing Company. Comfortable, you definitely get what you pay for and well worth a revisit. . . . again and again and again.

 

Thanks for reading!

Millon Daine

 

http://www.bigditchbrewing.com/home

Edited April 28, 2016 by Millon

[Guest]

Well done Mills !

 

what kind of beer did you have? dark or blonds?

 

I have to say that this looks a bit expensive for our belgian standards lol but i don't think we have portions that big

 

 

aaaand very important question : do they have desserts?

[Millon]

First time around i went with the Excavator, a rye brown ale, because I am all about the stouts, porters, brown ales and Reds. The darker the better. The latest time we went though I had there Beautiful River. It's a Belgian white. The spice really comes through nicely. Almost peppery but still light and refreshing. The missus tried there Hayburner IPA. I think I've finally found an IPA I enjoy in that one. You get the aroma and flowery taste of explosive hops without it sucking all the moisture from your mouth and giving you a bitter beer face. lol. They DO have deserts but I've never made it that far. lol Was too full. The next time the missus and I go we will be splitting an entree and I will sure as hell try a desert. The Black Forest cake comes highly recommended. I believe I had mentioned it in my review. I've made chocolate cakes myself with stouts in the mix and they are delicious so I can only imagine what a trained chef can do with it. lol

Edited April 28, 2016 by Millon

[Sooh]

I totally read this thread title wrong...

 

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I'm not much of a beer drinker, but the food sounds awesome

 

Good job on the review!

[Guest]

I feel generous today

 

Mills 2 points for the review

Sooh ... and I 1 points ;)