A Central New York brewery is helping toast to the final season of the Buffalo Bills’ current stadium.
The football team and Bud Light announced a special limited-edition “Blizzard Brew” Thursday. The beer is made with snow from Highmark Stadium “to celebrate the great lengths Bills fans will go to” when a winter storm buries the region.
“This season is the last for the Bills at the original Highmark Stadium, and NFL fans around the world have become very familiar with one of the venue’s most iconic traditions: Bills Mafia shoveling it out following an overload of snow before an upcoming home game,” a press release said. “Bud Light and the Bills are teaming up to celebrate and thank fans whose passion and traditions, like the shovelers, make the community special.”
The snow was collected from the first snowfall at Highmark Stadium earlier this season and transported to Anheuser-Busch’s brewery in Baldwinsville, the company said. The snow was then “integrated in the brewing process to create a limited-edition brew that will be included in custom 16 oz. cans and packaging.”
The “Blizzard Brew” will be available at participating retailers in the Buffalo area and wherever Bills Mafia enjoys the final regular season home game, Budweiser said. Specific locations were not announced.
This image provided by Bud Light shows limited edition “Blizzard Brew” beer cans made with snow from the Buffalo Bills’ Highmark Stadium and produced at Anheuser-Busch’s brewery in Baldwinsville, N.Y.Bud Light
Bills legend Andre Reed, who played 15 seasons for Buffalo, will appear at Highmark Stadium’s final regular season home game to help commemorate the stadium and Bills Mafia with a “Blizzard Brew.” The Bills’ Week 18 game against the New York Jets could also be the final overall game in the former Rich Stadium, depending on how the playoff picture shakes out over the next few weeks.
“Certainly, I’m sure a lot of people are looking forward to the new stadium,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “I understand that. But let’s not rush to get over there. I think it’s special to be here and enjoy these last few moments that we all have together in here.”
The Bills are expected to kick off next season in the new stadium in Orchard Park.
Anheuser-Busch, whose brands include Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois and Cutwater Spirits, also announced a multi-year extension of its Bills. The new stadium will highlight the team’s official beer sponsor with the Bud Light Touchdown Club and Bud Light Backyard, along with sponsored space in the stadium concourse.
A Buffalo Bills fans shovels snow before an NFL football game between the Bills and the San Francisco 49ers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)AP
“It’s no secret Bills Mafia is one of the most passionate fanbases in sports, with fans in Buffalo and beyond who will do anything for their team,” said Todd Allen, SVP of Marketing for Bud Light at Anheuser-Busch. “That dedication is on full display when they show up to Highmark Stadium with shovels in hand, and we couldn’t be more honored to show up for Bills fans by creating a brew that both showcases and celebrates their years of commitment to the team.”
“Bud Light has been a partner of the Buffalo Bills for nearly twenty-five years, and we’re very excited to continue our partnership with a program that brings Bills Mafia’s passion and Buffalo’s legendary weather together in a never-before-done way,” added Jason Hartlund, Bills Chief Commercial Officer. “We’re thrilled to officially bring ‘Blizzard Brew’ to life for our fans.”