Buffalo in the ’80s: The grocery beer cooler

By Steve Cichon
steve@buffalostories.com
@stevebuffalo

A 1984 look inside the beer cooler of a Buffalo grocery store reveals that even the things that never change don’t always stay the same.

Buffalo News archives

Products offered by Labatt Brewing Company still remain the most popular beers in Buffalo, but there are some differences.

It was later in the 1980s when Labatt phased out the stubby bottle cases shown here in favor of what they first promoted as “Big Blue,” a 16-oz. bottle.

Labatt 50 Ale was one of Buffalo’s most popular beers for decades, as reflected in the heavy stocking of the beer in this photo. It’s now sometimes difficult to find even in Canada.

Also, it wasn’t until the 1990s when Labatt’s Beer officially became “Labatt Blue,” the nickname by which it had been known for decades.

Otherwise, generic plain label beer—available at Bells markets—was wildly popular with Western New Yorkers shopping for price.

The 1980s were also the decade of the wine cooler. Until then, the Mogen David Winery in Westfield was best known for its kosher Concord wines.  Many who were college or high school students during that era in Western New York (and across the Northeast) might remember MD 20/20 flavors like Hawaiian Blue and pink grapefruit. Those same folks might be surprised to know that the MD actually stands for “Mogen David,” not “Mad Dog,” as the wine product was known.

Buffalo in the 70s: Labatt starts move as Buffalo’s most popular beer

By Steve Cichon
steve@buffalostories.com
@stevebuffalo

Labatt Blue has been Buffalo’s most popular beer for decades now. One can assume that began to happen as local breweries like Simon Pure and Iroquois closed, but also as beers like Labatt – “imported fresh from Canada” – started to come down in price—as mentioned in this ad from the pages of The News 45 years ago this week, August 13, 1970.

Buffalo in the 80s: Buffalo rejoices at the end of Canada’s beer strike

By Steve Cichon
steve@buffalostories.com
@stevebuffalo

In 1985, Labatt, Molson and Carling/O’Keefe Breweries locked out their unionized workforce, leaving the beer drinkers of Canada (and Buffalo) looking elsewhere for adult beverages. It was a month-long stalemate that left five of Ontario’s six breweries out of commission.

It was 30 years ago today that the Brewers’ Retail reopened in Fort Erie and found itself bombarded with thirsty Ontarians — and Buffalonians. In fact, it was a Buffalo guy on a motor scooter who was first in line to strap two-four of Labatt on the back of his bike.

“Response bordering on jubilation greets return of beer in Ontario”

March 27, 1985

” ‘I’m so psyched,’ said Joseph Delo, 22, of Starin Avenue in Buffalo, who drove his motor scooter over the border this morning.”