After coming collectively for the higher of craft beer in 2003, Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Invoice Covaleski (Victory Brewing), and Greg Koch (Stone Brewing, now retired) will reunite as Brewers United for Freedom of Taste (BUFF). For this new one off occasion, BUFF will make its return at The Beer Authority in New York Metropolis on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The trio are bringing their legendary friendship, their boundary-busting brews, and a rock-and-roll spirit that may’t be tamed.
Listed below are further particulars from the press launch…
This isn’t only a reunion-it’s a full-throttle convergence of craft beer followers, heavy music devotees, and NFT NYC tradition vultures. Two epic beers from every brewery will likely be on faucet, and the evening will likely be supercharged by the presence of Steel Warrior’s personal Keri Kelli (guitarist for Evening Ranger, Alice Cooper, Slash) and illustrator extraordinaire Ben Fellowes, each in attendance and able to riff and revel with the gang.
A Friendship Cast in Taste and Ferocity
Practically 22 years after their first press convention in a Boston liquor retailer aisle (attended by a single beer journalist and a thousand goals), these three crusaders for craft proceed their mission to save lots of the beer-drinking public from the shackles of poor style. This time, they’re bringing reinforcements: two mind-bending creations from every of their legendary breweries will stream from the faucets, delivering hoppy salvation to the thirsty plenty.
“The unique BUFF coalition could have began as simply discuss, nevertheless it sparked a taste revolution that’s nonetheless burning at this time,” says Stone’s Greg Koch, recognized for brewing the “conceited” into Smug Bastard Ale. “We’re not simply reuniting-we’re reloading the flavour cannons for an additional volley in opposition to the tyranny of mediocre beer.”
“After we first shaped BUFF in 2003, mainstream media gave scant discover to craft beer,” remembers Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione, whose brewery famously pioneered the continuous hopping course of, boils their 60 Minute IPA with greater than 60 hop additions for a daring and timeless taste. “Now have a look at us-still pals, nonetheless brewing, nonetheless preventing in opposition to senseless beer attitudes. Plus, Greg’s gone full steel, which actually was all the time lurking beneath the floor.”
Victory’s Invoice Covaleski, whose brewery has been bringing enjoyable twists to traditional craft kinds since 1996, provides: “BUFF wasn’t nearly three guys with massive concepts and larger personalities. It was about drawing a line within the malt and declaring that beer deserves higher. This reunion is for everybody who’s joined us in that pursuit of taste freedom.”
Steel Warrior: The place Beer Meets the Cosmos
The evening’s sonic spine comes courtesy of Steel Warrior, the intergalactic heavy steel saga dropped at life by Greg Koch, guitar hero Keri Kelli, graphic novelist Ben Fellowes, and the hovering vocals of Sara Tobin as Queen Va-all of whom will likely be in the home. Steel Warrior chronicles the cosmic adventures of a legendary band as they battle the despotic Oknjar Khamoon, with tales and sounds as daring as any BUFF brew.
“Steel Warrior isn’t simply music-it’s a historic doc of an intergalactic steel phenomenon,” explains Koch. “I’m merely a humble channel for the tales of Pskydin, Queen Va, Torq and Quanndamm as they battle in opposition to the despotic rule of Oknjar Khamoon. Their story should be advised…ideally at most quantity whereas consuming implausible beer.”
The Steel Warrior double album, “The Crushed Souls of Our Enemies,” drops in late July on vinyl, CD, cassette, and all streaming platforms, however there will likely be advance preview copies accessible this evening solely! The occasion additionally marks the launch of Steel Warrior’s NFT assortment at NYC NFT, giving followers an opportunity to personal a bit of this cosmic revolt.
Keri Kelli: Shredding Levels and Brewing Tanks
Keri Kelli isn’t any stranger to the highlight, having performed guitar for legends like Evening Ranger, Slash and Alice Cooper. However his artistic hearth doesn’t cease on the stage. Keri is now making waves within the craft beer world, just lately opening Evolve Brewing in Las Vegas as the most recent addition to his burgeoning Aces & Ales craft beer empire.
“Whether or not I’m on stage with a guitar or behind the scenes at a brewery, it’s all about pushing boundaries and bringing folks collectively,” says Keri Kelli. “Steel and craft beer are each about ardour, revolt, and group. I’ll be prepared to boost a glass-and perhaps just a little hell-with everybody in New York.”
Win a One-of-a-Sort Guitar
Attendees can enter a raffle for a really distinctive prize: a guitar emblazoned with one-of-a-kind Steel Warrior art work, signed by Keri Kelli, Ben Fellowes, Sara Tobin & Greg Koch. This isn’t only a collector’s item-it’s a battle axe for the ages.
Don’t Miss This Unholy Convergence
The June 26 occasion guarantees a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of craft beer devotees, heavy steel headbangers, and digital artwork enthusiasts-a triumvirate as highly effective because the BUFF founders themselves.
“Like watching a gaggle of crazed lemurs function heavy equipment,” is how one observer described the unique BUFF brew day. Anticipate related managed chaos as these three brewing iconoclasts reunite to remind the world that the revolution continues.
June 26, 2025 | 6:30–9:30pm | Beer Authority, 300 W fortieth St., NYC
Area is restricted. Arrive early, keep late, and keep in mind: “Those that concern taste, enjoyable, or suggestions could need to follow safer territory-like actuality TV or gentle beer.”
