The inside story of the Beer Sabre: The drinking vessel that united a city and sport
Key takeaways
- "Have you heard of the guy who was offered $1,000 and turned it down?"
- As the Sabres' magical, record-breaking season continues, the tales surrounding the drinking vessel only grow.
- The Beer Sabres are being resold on eBay, with many in the $200 to $300 range.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The Beer Sabre has become a legendary commodity in western New York this hockey season. Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images Alaina Getzenberg May 14, 2026, 08:00 AM ETClose Alaina Getzenberg covers the Buffalo Bills for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2021. Alaina was previously a beat reporter for the Charlotte Observer and has also worked for CBS Sports and the Dallas Morning News. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The lore of the Beer Sabre in western New York is far more expansive than the quantity of the plastic swords in existence.
"Have you heard of the guy who was offered $1,000 and turned it down?"
To walk around downtown Buffalo before a Buffalo Sabres game is to see dozens upon dozens of people clutching their Beer Sabres, en route to the arena or to Canalside to watch the game on a big screen or to their local establishment of choice (which may just fill the Beer Sabre for $5).