Buffalo Creek Brewing to celebrate new Toffee Nut Crunch beer at Alpine Fest

Buffalo Creek Brewing is gearing up for its popular annual Alpine Fest, its most anticipated event of the year, happening Jan. 24-25.

The brewery is also celebrating the silver and bronze awards it won at the 2025 World Beer Championships®. Hosted by the Beverage Testing Institute, the WBC honors global brewing excellence, and Buffalo Creek Brewing is proud to have earned top honors with Silver medals for Angelic Helles and Half Nelson beers, along with Bronze for Long Grove Lager, according to a news release from the brewery.

Here’s a list of upcoming events at this Long Grove brewery.

Alpine Fest: Jan. 24–25 – A Winter Wonderland Inspired by the German Alps

Buffalo Creek Brewing invites everyone to embrace winter with its Alpine Fest 2025. Inspired by owner and brewmaster Mike Marr’s trips to the Bavarian Alps, this year’s Alpine Fest promises to take the event to new heights, offering a truly authentic Alpine experience.

Upon arrival, guests will receive ski lift passes to be stamped throughout the event for a chance to win exclusive Buffalo Creek Brewing merchandise. Alpine Fest is free to attend and packed with fun for all ages. Visitors can warm up by the fire pits with freshly brewed beers, enjoy festive games like the classic Stein-holding contest in the snow and groove to the live Alpine tunes of Alpine Thunder.

A special treat for attendees this year is the release of Toffee Nut Crunch, a small-batch beer that combines the flavors of caramel, almond and toffee in a smooth, medium-bodied brown ale. Traditional German fare, including footlong Frankfurters, Bratwurst, giant pretzels, and cheese Rosti, will be available. For dessert, guests can indulge in boozy ice cream topped with Dopplebock syrup, hot chocolate for adults and kid-friendly non-alcoholic treats.

The Alpine Biergarten, open daily through the winter, continues to be a seasonal retreat where guests can sip Bavarian beers, explore two acres of scenic grounds and enjoy bites from rotating food trucks. The Biergarten’s festive atmosphere features twinkling lights, fire pits, heat-lamped bars, and live music, creating the perfect setting for a winter escape.

New Beer Releases: Jan. 17–Feb. 8

Buffalo Creek Brewing is also rolling out a series of new limited-edition brews and non-alcoholic mocktails throughout the winter. These exciting releases are perfect for adding a little extra flavor to the season:

Jan. 24: Toffee Nut Crunch – A medium-bodied brown ale that blends caramel, almond, and toffee for a delightful, indulgent experience.

Jan. 24: Our Lightest Beer – This light and refreshing brew is the perfect drink for those who want something easy-drinking yet flavorful.

Feb. 8: Bittersweet – A small-batch chocolate ale brewed with rich malts and cacao nibs, just in time for Long Grove’s Cocoa Crawl.

In addition, Dirty Soda Month will continue through Jan. 31, featuring new non-alcoholic mocktails each week. Crafted in-house, these delicious mocktails are the perfect sweet treat for those taking a break from alcohol.

Pint of Music Concerts: Every Saturday, 6–9 p.m.

Buffalo Creek Brewing’s Pint of Music Concert Series kicks off every Saturday from 6–9 p.m., offering a rotating lineup of local artists. Whether guests are enjoying the cozy taproom or the festive Alpine Biergarten, the music and atmosphere make Saturday nights at Buffalo Creek a weekend tradition.

Food Truck Pop-Ups: Fridays–Saturdays, 5–8 PM

Each week, Buffalo Creek Brewing partners with the best local food trucks to offer a rotating selection of delicious bites. Available Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–8 p.m., these food trucks provide the perfect complement to Buffalo Creek’s craft beers. Guests can enjoy everything from tacos to gourmet burgers, all while soaking in the lively atmosphere at the brewery.

Buffalo Creek Brewing sits on two wooded acres in Long Grove and boasts a Bavarian-style taproom, year-round concert stage and a charming biergarten patio that changes with each season.

Buffalo Creek Brewing is located at 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove.

For more information, visit www.buffalocreekbrewing.com.