Brewers United For Freedom of Flavor (BUFF) Returns For One Night in New York City

After coming together for the better of craft beer in 2003, Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Bill Covaleski (Victory Brewing), and Greg Koch (Stone Brewing, now retired) will reunite as Brewers United for Freedom of Flavor (BUFF). For this new one off event, BUFF will make its return at The Beer Authority in New York City on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The trio are bringing their legendary friendship, their boundary-busting brews, and a rock-and-roll spirit that can’t be tamed.

Here are additional details from the press release…

This is not just a reunion-it’s a full-throttle convergence of craft beer fans, heavy music devotees, and NFT NYC culture vultures. Two epic beers from each brewery will be on tap, and the night will be supercharged by the presence of Metal Warrior’s own Keri Kelli (guitarist for Night Ranger, Alice Cooper, Slash) and illustrator extraordinaire Ben Fellowes, both in attendance and ready to riff and revel with the crowd.

A Friendship Forged in Flavor and Ferocity

Nearly 22 years after their first press conference in a Boston liquor store aisle (attended by a single beer journalist and a thousand dreams), these three crusaders for craft continue their mission to save the beer-drinking public from the shackles of poor taste. This time, they’re bringing reinforcements: two mind-bending creations from each of their legendary breweries will flow from the taps, delivering hoppy salvation to the thirsty masses.

“The original BUFF coalition may have started as just talk, but it sparked a flavor revolution that’s still burning today,” says Stone’s Greg Koch, known for brewing the “arrogant” into Arrogant Bastard Ale. “We’re not just reuniting-we’re reloading the flavor cannons for another volley against the tyranny of mediocre beer.”

“When we first formed BUFF in 2003, mainstream media gave scant notice to craft beer,” recalls Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione, whose brewery famously pioneered the continual hopping process, boils their 60 Minute IPA with more than 60 hop additions for a bold and timeless flavor. “Now look at us-still friends, still brewing, still fighting against mindless beer attitudes. Plus, Greg’s gone full metal, which honestly was always lurking beneath the surface.”

Victory’s Bill Covaleski, whose brewery has been bringing fun twists to classic craft styles since 1996, adds: “BUFF wasn’t just about three guys with big ideas and bigger personalities. It was about drawing a line in the malt and declaring that beer deserves better. This reunion is for everyone who’s joined us in that pursuit of flavor freedom.”

Metal Warrior: Where Beer Meets the Cosmos

The night’s sonic backbone comes courtesy of Metal Warrior, the intergalactic heavy metal saga brought to life by Greg Koch, guitar hero Keri Kelli, graphic novelist Ben Fellowes, and the soaring vocals of Sara Tobin as Queen Va-all of whom will be in the house. Metal Warrior chronicles the cosmic adventures of a legendary band as they battle the despotic Oknjar Khamoon, with stories and sounds as bold as any BUFF brew.

“Metal Warrior isn’t just music-it’s a historical document of an intergalactic metal phenomenon,” explains Koch. “I’m merely a humble channel for the tales of Pskydin, Queen Va, Torq and Quanndamm as they battle against the despotic rule of Oknjar Khamoon. Their story must be told…preferably at maximum volume while drinking fantastic beer.”

The Metal Warrior double album, “The Crushed Souls of Our Enemies,” drops in late July on vinyl, CD, cassette, and all streaming platforms, but there will be advance preview copies available this night only! The event also marks the launch of Metal Warrior’s NFT collection at NYC NFT, giving fans a chance to own a piece of this cosmic rebellion.

Keri Kelli: Shredding Stages and Brewing Tanks

Keri Kelli is no stranger to the spotlight, having played guitar for legends like Night Ranger, Slash and Alice Cooper. But his creative fire doesn’t stop at the stage. Keri is now making waves in the craft beer world, recently opening Evolve Brewing in Las Vegas as the latest addition to his burgeoning Aces & Ales craft beer empire.

“Whether I’m on stage with a guitar or behind the scenes at a brewery, it’s all about pushing boundaries and bringing people together,” says Keri Kelli. “Metal and craft beer are both about passion, rebellion, and community. I’ll be ready to raise a glass-and maybe a little hell-with everyone in New York.”

Win a One-of-a-Kind Guitar

Attendees can enter a raffle for a truly unique prize: a guitar emblazoned with one-of-a-kind Metal Warrior artwork, signed by Keri Kelli, Ben Fellowes, Sara Tobin & Greg Koch. This is not just a collector’s item-it’s a battle axe for the ages.

Don’t Miss This Unholy Convergence

The June 26 event promises a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of craft beer devotees, heavy metal headbangers, and digital art enthusiasts-a triumvirate as powerful as the BUFF founders themselves.

“Like watching a gaggle of crazed lemurs operate heavy machinery,” is how one observer described the original BUFF brew day. Expect similar controlled 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 40th St., NYC

Space is limited. Arrive early, stay late, and remember: “Those who fear flavor, fun, or feedback may want to stick to safer territory-like reality TV or light beer.”