What if you could go back in time and watch a movie at the Alhambra Theater, or ride the old streetcar from Oak Park to K Street, or go to the corner tavern and say “I’ll have a Buffalo.”?
At New Helvetia Brewing Company, we have no intentions of rebuilding long lost theaters or laying miles of track for public transportation, but Buffalo Beer…we can do that.
Buffalo Origins
In 1890, Buffalo Brewing Company began brewing beer in Sacramento. At one time, the Buffalo Brewery was the largest brewery west of the Mississippi with distribution throughout the western U.S., Hawaii, Alaska and even Central and South America. The company shut down beer production at the onset of Prohibition and resumed again when the 21st Amendment was ratified. During Prohibition, the brewery survived by brewing ‘near’ beer and soft drinks, as well as producing ice for local distribution. Ultimately, Buffalo Brewery closed its doors for good in 1942, and the historic brewery building was demolished to make room for the headquarters of the Sacramento Bee newspaper.
Buffalo Redux
In the early 1970’s, two law school graduates revived the Buffalo brand with a new label and new recipe. The tag line for the renewed brewery was “Buffalo Beer is Back.” The 2nd Generation of Buffalo Brewing Company saw widespread success in the Sacramento market with many local taverns and restaurants pouring the new Buffalo Beer, and local retailers stocking it on their shelves. Unfortunately, the Buffalo Brewing 2.0 shut down production, while its owners went on to successful law careers.
Buffalo 3.0
Perhaps the third time is a charm. “Buffalo Beer is Back…Again” could be the new tag line for a 3rd generation of Buffalo Beer. New Helvetia Brewing Company, Inc. plans to reintroduce Buffalo Beer in the Sacramento market before expanding throughout California and ultimately the western United States. Adopting a highly drinkable pre-prohibition lager formula, the flagship “session” beer of the Buffalo family of beers will be a sharp, crisp lager with bolder flavors and stronger aroma than the traditional American lager.
Start Up
New Helvetia Brewing Co., a Sacramento based start up, will initially brew in a "home made" 5 barrel brewing system to produce our flagship Buffalo Brand Beer. Buffalo Beer will be sold at our on-premises tasting room and through select Sacramento area bars and restaurants. Ultimately, New Helvetia Brewing Co. will increase our brewery size and expand to include a full service restaurant. Join us as we reclaim our local beer heritage; serve Buffalo Beer, drink Buffalo Beer, help us write a new chapter in the Buffalo Beer story. | 
