What are the best Rochester Breweries you absolutely must check out? Well, we’ve done the work to figure that out for you! We have sampled their brews, spent time in their taprooms and read all the online reviews to come up with our take on the top Rochester Breweries to explore this year!
Rochester Breweries
Rochester, NY is one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities in the northeast. Towering peaks and pristine valleys make Rochester a favourite destination for outdoor enthusiasts. But the city has much more to offer than just natural beauty. The city is also well-known for its local breweries, which produce some of the best craft beer in the country. If you’re looking for a city that has it all, Rochester is the perfect place to visit.
In addition to local breweries, Rochester is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year. The Finger Lakes Wine Festival, for example, is one of the largest wine festivals in the country and attracts over 60,000 visitors each year. From local breweries to world-class festivals, Rochester has something to offer everyone.
What are the top breweries in Rochester?
If you’re a fan of craft beer, then you’ll be happy to know that Rochester, NY is home to some of the greatest breweries in the country. With its rich history and strong brewing tradition, Rochester has long been a hotspot for craft beer lovers. And in recent years, the craft beer scene here has only gotten stronger.
There are now dozens of craft breweries in and around Rochester and Monroe County, each with its own unique style and flavour profile. Whether you’re into hoppy IPAs or malty stouts, you’re sure to find a beer here that you’ll love. And with so many great breweries to choose from, you can easily spend a day (or two) exploring all that Rochester has to offer.
So if you’re looking for a great craft beer experience, be sure to check out the breweries in Rochester, New York. You won’t be disappointed.
How we picked the best Rochester Breweries?
With every ‘top breweries’ post that we write, we make sure to do diligent online research to determine who makes it on our list. From reading online reviews and reviewing beer selections, to checking other authority websites and of course, sampling their beers. We do our best to take all the information we collect and give you our opinion of the top breweries in Rochester.
However, we know we aren’t perfect and if we’ve missed a Rochester brewery that you think should be on this list, contact us and let us know who the brewery is and we’ll do our best to include them!
Did we miss something?
If you think a brewery deserves a spot on our list, Vote for them! If you’re a brewery looking to update your information or get in touch, contact us!
The Best Rochester Breweries
Alright, let’s get to it, shall we? Here’s our list of the top Rochester Craft Breweries!
Rohrbach Brewing Company
Rohrbach Brewing Company was the first craft brewery to open in Rochester, NY back in 1991 and after more than 30 years in business, it still stays true to its roots. Their name comes from a small town in Germany called Rohrbach, which was where the founders’ inspiration came from.
With two dozen craft beers on tap, cider, kombucha, and house-made root beer paired with delicious wood-fired pizza, this is the perfect place to grab a beer and a bite to eat. After all, what pairs better with beer than pizza? Rohrbach’s wood-fired pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection. The brewery also regularly hosts live music, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a night out.
Customer Review: An incredibly relaxing atmosphere made better by phenomenal drinks and an even better staff
- Phone: (585) 546-8020
- Address: 97 Railroad St, Rochester, NY 14609, United States
- Beers to Try: Blueberry Ale
- Website: rohrbachs.com
Three Heads Brewing
Three Heads Brewing is a local favourite in Rochester, NY. Situated on Atlantic Avenue just outside the Neighbourhood of the Arts, this brewery offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a pint no matter the weather.
In addition to their tasty beers, Three Heads Brewing also hosts live music most weekends, making it a great place to have fun with your crew while enjoying their award-winning craft beer. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Rochester, be sure to stop by Three Heads Brewing for an unforgettable experience.
Customer Review: Always great service and great brews. The seasonal sours are amazing.
- Phone: (585) 244-1224
- Address: 186 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States
- Beers to Try: Tiger Blood IPA
- Website: threeheadsbrewing.com/
Genesee Brew House
Genesee Brew House is a must-stop on any brewery tour in Rochester. They have some fantastic beers and a great food menu filled with delicious food options that pair perfectly with their various beer styles. The best part, however, is their gorgeous rooftop patio with beautiful views of the High Falls and downtown Rochester.
The building and brew house is part of the original Genesee Brewing Company campus from over 100 years ago, making it one of the oldest continually operating breweries in America. They offer tours of their facility at select times and are available for booking through their website so that you can learn about the rich history of the first brewery in Rochester.
Customer Review: Great food, great beer and a breathtaking view of High Falls! The servers are super nice and attentive.
- Phone: (585) 263-9200
- Address: 25 Cataract St, Rochester, NY 14605, United States
- Beers to Try: Scotch Ale
- Website: geneseebeer.com
Swiftwater Brewing Company
Swiftwater Brewing Company is a farm brewery and brewpub in the heart of downtown Rochester’s South Wedge neighbourhood. They brew beer in-house using malt grown on the owner’s family farm, making them extra special compared to other breweries. Their kitchen serves up made-from-scratch food offerings that pair beautifully with their high-quality and innovative craft beer.
You’ll have plenty of fun every time you visit Swiftwater Brewing Company, whether you want to grab a couple board games to play with your friends or participate in Trivia Thursdays, you’re guaranteed a great time.
Customer Review: Amazing beer and out-of-this-world food! Fresh locally grown ingredients and unique but delicious menu items! Anything with pork is a winner! Outstanding & friendly staff who keeps the place spotless!
- Phone: (585) 530-3471
- Address: 378 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, United States
- Beers to Try: Alpaca Kisses IPA
- Website: swiftwaterbrewing.com
Roc. Brewing Co.
Roc. Brewing Co. is one of Rochester’s original craft breweries. The brewery is located in Downtown Rochester, NY on Union St. and is known for its refreshing, locally-produced beer and delicious poutine. The brewery tasting room is the perfect place to relax after a long day or to catch up with friends.
The brewery is bright and airy with a welcoming atmosphere full of games to play with your pals. They serve pints, flights and food made to order, so you’ll have everything you need for a great night out in Rochester.
Customer Review: Best Brewery I’ve ever been too, and that’s saying A LOT. Beers are incredible, food is great, huge portions! Staff is friendly and knowledgeable! I met the owner last time I was there, Chris. Great guy! Can’t wait to go back.
- Phone: (585) 794-9798
- Address: 56 S Union St, Rochester, NY 14607, United States
- Beers to Try: The Whoopass
- Website: rocbrewingco.com
Heroes Brewing Company
Heroes Brewing Company is one of those amazing breweries that donate to charitable causes. They actually dedicate every beer they make to different local heroes, non-profits, or other charitable causes and $1 of every 4-pack sold goes to them! Their tap list changes often so you’ll have something new to try and a new cause to support.
Their outdoor space is dog-friendly so you can bring your pup while you sip on a high-quality beer for a good cause. They’ve also got flatbread pizzas and other snacks that change weekly so you won’t go hungry! Heroes Brewing Company is a must-visit.
Customer Review: Great beer. Love that they support local organizations. Owners are good people. Friendly staff. Highly recommend a visit.
- Phone: (585) 434-5472
- Address: 543 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14609, United States
- Beers to Try: IGNITE! Double New England IPA
- Website: heroesbrewco.com
Nine Maidens Brewing Company
Nine Maidens Brewing Company is a nano brewery focused on creating some of the best experimental beers in Rochester. They offer a wide range of beer styles in their tap room and everything is made in small batches so the lineup changes quickly!
They have a beautiful brick building with indoor and outdoor seating perfect for everyday meet-ups or a special night out. You can join them for a trivia night every couple of weeks and pick up a mouthwatering pizza while you’re at it!
Customer Review: Great beers! Lots of options for different styles and tons of flavor. Friendly staff and super enjoyable place to hang out.
- Phone: (585) 434-3030
- Address: 1344 University Ave Suite 140, Rochester, NY 14607, United States
- Beers to Try: Ginger Peach Blonde Ale
- Website: ninemaidensbrewing.com
Other Half Brewing Company
Other Half Brewing Company is a farmhouse brewery on 8 acres in Bloomfield, just 35 minutes from downtown Rochester. If you’re up for taking a short trip just outside of Monroe County, this countryside brewery in the Finger Lakes Region is definitely worth the trip.
They have a great variety of beer styles but their IPAs are what they’re known for. If you love a good hazy IPA, American IPA, or want to experiment with their Green Power Imperial IPA, you must pay Other Half Brewing a visit. They also have a seltzer lineup called Oh2 with lots of flavour variations. If you’re hungry, check out the food truck of the day, outside food is also welcome.
Customer Review: Always part of my favorite family day trip from Buffalo. Wonderful outdoor space, dog & kid friendly, lots of tasty IPAs alongside various experimental, wild, fruited, and occasionally traditional offerings. Always cold & crisp pickles, too!
- Phone: (585) 617-0453
- Address: 6621 State Rte 5 And 20, Bloomfield, NY 14469, United States
- Beers to Try: Double Dry Hopped Citra Day Dream
- Website: otherhalfbrewing.com
New York Beer Project
New York Beer Project is a must-visit brewery in Victor, just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester. Their tasting room is gorgeous with 45-foot ceilings and an indoor beer garden complete with giant Chestnut Trees. Although the trees are fake, they still do an incredible job of bringing the perfect beer garden ambiance.
If you visit on a warm day, check out their rooftop patio where they serve delicious cocktails and other alcoholic beverages (plus a few non-alcoholic beverages as well). They have an expansive food menu full of reasonably priced appetizers and meals that will satisfy any craving. Plus, they have weekly live music! What more could you ask for?
Customer Review: Went here for the first time last week and was very impressed! Loved the available selections on tap, the food, the aesthetic!
- Phone: (585) 888-6927
- Address: 300 High St, Victor, NY 14564, United States
- Beers to Try: Walter’s Jelly Donut and Brett Aged Supernatural Passionfruit Sour
- Website: nybeerproject.com
Enjoy the best breweries in Rochester!
Make sure to go and check out Rochester’s best craft breweries, grab a locally brewed pint (or 2) and support your local brewers!
If we’ve missed a brewery on our list that you think should be added, contact us and let us know who the brewery is and why you think it should be added to our list of the top breweries in Rochester!
