You’re walking through the Old First Ward in Buffalo, and the air smells like a weird, nostalgic mix of Cheerios from the General Mills plant and toasted malt. It’s a vibe.
Most people think of Resurgence Brewing Company Chicago Street Buffalo NY as just another cavernous warehouse where people drink IPAs. They’re wrong. Honestly, if you still think this place is just a "taproom," you haven't been paying attention to how much it actually anchors the neighborhood now.
It’s huge. Like, 25,000 square feet of "holy crap, this is big" huge.
The Barrel-Making Ghost in the Room
The building at 55 Chicago Street isn't some new-build prefab. It’s the former EB Holmes Machinery Company Pattern Building. Back in the 1800s, this place revolutionized how wooden barrels were made. The Holmes brothers basically invented the machines that replaced hand-making barrels, which is pretty poetic considering the building now houses a brewery that relies on similar craftsmanship—just with more stainless steel and fewer splinters.
Jeff Ware, the founder, didn’t just pick this spot because it had high ceilings. He wanted to capture that "resurgence" energy. Buffalo was coming back to life, and the Old First Ward was the heart of that movement.
When you walk in, you can still feel that industrial grit. The bricks are original. The windows are massive. It’s got that "I could build a boat in here" feeling.
Why the Beer Actually Matters (And No, It’s Not All Hops)
Look, we’ve all been to breweries where the menu is a list of 14 different IPAs that all taste like pine needles and regret. Resurgence doesn't do that.
They have this beer called Flats & Drums. It’s a Pale Ale. But here’s the kicker: they spent two years perfecting it specifically to pair with Buffalo wings. It’s got a tiny bit of honey in it. Why? To coat your tongue so the spice of the wing doesn't wreck your palate. That’s some high-level Buffalo engineering right there.
Then there’s the Sponge Candy Stout. If you aren’t from Western New York, sponge candy is our local religion. It’s a honeycomb toffee covered in chocolate. Resurgence uses real sponge candy from Watson’s (a local staple) to brew it. It’s thick, sweet, and basically a liquid dessert that hits 7% ABV.
They also do:
- Loganberry Wit: A light, fruity wheat beer that tastes like a Crystal Beach summer.
- Bridge Pilsner: A crisp, dry-finishing beer that’s perfect for when you just want a beer beer.
- Citmo IPA: This is their heavy hitter. It’s got that white grapefruit and pine aroma that hops-heads crave.
The Food Isn't an Afterthought
For a long time, brewery food was just "here’s a bag of pretzels, good luck." Resurgence Brewing Company Chicago Street Buffalo NY changed the game by actually installing a full kitchen.
The Chicago Street Burger is the go-to. It’s half a pound of beef with thousand island, American cheese, and pickles. It's basically a Big Mac that grew up and got a job.
If you’re feeling extra, the Silo Burger has banana pepper dip on it. That’s peak Buffalo. They also do a Shorty Weck, which is beer-braised short rib on a kimmelweck roll. It’s a mess to eat, but you won't care.
A "Third Place" That Actually Works
Sociologists talk about "third places"—spots that aren't your house and aren't your job where you actually hang out. Chicago Street is that.
The layout is smart. You’ve got the Indoor Beer Garden with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a Fireplace Lounge for the six months of the year when Buffalo is a frozen tundra. And then there’s the Mezzanine, which lets you look down over the entire production floor. Watching the canning line while you sip a pilsner is weirdly meditative.
They do weddings there too. A lot of them. It’s kind of funny to think of people getting married in an old machinery shop, but with the fairy lights and the industrial beams, it actually looks incredible.
What Most People Miss
The most underrated part of the Chicago Street location? The parking.
In downtown Buffalo, finding a spot that doesn't cost $20 or a piece of your soul is a miracle. They have a massive free lot. It sounds boring, but when it’s raining or snowing (which, let's be real, is often), that lot is the real MVP.
They also have a massive focus on community events. Pop-up markets, live music, and fitness classes happen there all the time. It’s not just for drinking; it’s a hub.
The Realistic Take
Is it perfect? Nothing is. On a Saturday night, the acoustics in a giant brick building can get loud. Like, "I have to scream at my friend three inches away" loud. And the food service can get backed up when there’s a massive corporate event on the second floor and a full taproom on the first.
But honestly? That’s part of the charm. It’s a working brewery. It’s busy because it’s good.
If you want the best experience, go on a Tuesday. Get the $7.16 Burger special (a nod to our area code). Sit near the windows and watch the grain trucks go by. It feels like the real Buffalo.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning a visit to Resurgence Brewing Company Chicago Street Buffalo NY, don’t just show up and wing it.
- Check the Event Calendar: They often have private buy-outs for the Mezzanine or the Lager Lounge. Make sure the space you want to sit in is actually open.
- Order a Flight: Don't commit to a full pint of something weird like a Peanut Butter Stout until you’ve tried a 5oz pour.
- Explore the Neighborhood: Walk across the street to the Riverworks or check out the climbing gym next door. The Old First Ward is walkable now, so take advantage of it.
- Take Home a Four-Pack: Some of their best stuff, like the seasonal fruit sours, is only available in cans at the source.
Go for the beer, stay for the history, and don't forget to grab a giant pretzel with the beer cheese. It’s worth the calories.