Southern Tier Brewing Company opening new taproom at LECOM Harborcenter

Craft brewing pioneer to expand to downtown Buffalo

Pegula Sports & Entertainment welcomes Southern Tier Brewing Company to LECOM Harborcenter, as the craft brewing company expands to downtown Buffalo. Southern Tier will convert (716) Food and Sport into its newest taproom location to showcase a full line of craft beers, ciders, seltzers and spirits.

PSE said Southern Tier’s presence will enhance the revitalization of downtown Buffalo.

“Terry and I built LECOM Harborcenter to contribute to the rebirth of Canalside and our waterfront,” PSE President and CEO Kim Pegula said. “Part of our plan has always been to find local partners to run these businesses when the time was right. It makes sense now to have our longtime partners at Southern Tier take over ownership and rebrand (716) Food and Sport. We are confident that Phin, Sara and their team will enhance the great experience our fans have come to expect by doing what they do best, serving them their favorite locally brewed craft beers along with a new menu of hand-crafted, beer-inspired food items and appetizers.”

“Since we opened our doors in 2002, Buffalo has been one of our top markets,” said Phin DeMink, founder of Southern Tier Brewing Company. “We’ve always viewed Buffalo as home and always wanted a physical presence in the Buffalo market. We were looking for the right spot to share our great brands with our many friends and fans who have been such loyal supporters of Southern Tier over the years. We believe we finally found the perfect location.”

Southern Tier plans on keeping much of what has made (716) special, with some updates made to allow for onsite brewing, an enhanced craft beer experience, and a retail area for merchandise and “to-go” sales of beer and spirits. The new taproom will have a from-scratch, beer-inspired food menu, and pour a full line of Southern Tier beers, ciders, seltzers and spirits.

PSE said the new taproom will continue to be a premier place for Buffalo sports fans to come and support their teams.

Paul Vukelic, president and CEO of Try-It Distributing, said the taproom will be a great addition to the downtown waterfront area: “As a proud partner and local distributor for Southern Tier Brewing, Try-It Distributing Co. Inc. welcomes and supports their expansion into Buffalo. As Western New York’s premier and No. 1-selling craft brewery, consumers can now enjoy Southern Tier products in the heart of downtown Buffalo.”

DeMink said, “Southern Tier is excited to deepen the partnership with Terry and Kim and build on the (716) legacy. Buffalonians can count on a great craft experience, from our locally inspired food menu to the beer we’ll be pouring … all served with Southern Tier hospitality.”

The project is set to open in late summer 2021.