Monroe County is home to a thriving craft beer scene, where passionate brewers create everything from crisp lagers to bold IPAs and rich stouts. Whether you’re looking for a cozy taproom, a lively beer hall, or a scenic spot to sip a pint, you’ll find plenty of options to explore. Many of these breweries highlight local ingredients, innovative brewing techniques, and a strong sense of community, making each visit a unique experience.
This guide will help you discover the best breweries around Monroe County—whether you’re planning a casual outing, a brewery-hopping adventure, or searching for your new favorite local brew. To plan a more extended road trip, see the map at the end of this guide, which shows locations in the Greater Rochester area and beyond.
Find beers you’ll love using the Untapped app. Discover and share great beers, breweries, and venues with your friends, while earning badges for exploring beers of different styles and countries.
Breweries in the City of Rochester
Genesee Brewing Company
25 Cataract St., Rochester
from their website: Our Pilot Brewery contains a Newlands steam-fired 20-barrel brewing system. The small batch system allows brewers to create new recipes and experiment. We offer three different beers that are exclusive to the Genesee Brew House. The beers change frequently. Guest breweries are sometimes invited to partner in creating new experimental beers. The tasting bar is open Sunday–Wednesday, 11 am–9 pm, and Thursday–Saturday, 11 am–10 pm, and features a flight of four different beers for $4. You may also purchase growlers to enjoy our beer at home.
Perfect Day-Trip Pairing
High Falls on the Genesee River
High Falls is the name of the waterfall, the neighboring historic district, and the future Rochester High Falls State Park.
Heroes Brewing Company
543 Atlantic Ave., Rochester
from their website: In 2016, we started the journey to celebrate the everyday hero with great beer. Giving back to one’s community is very important to us. One dollar from every 4-pack of cans sold is donated to a charity in our community.
Iron Tug Brewing
371 Park Ave., Rochester
from their website: What truly defines Iron Tug Brewing are the “Nitro Beers.” Providing a creamy texture and more evenly distributed flavors from CO2 Beers. I have sought to make the closest beer to a Guinness poured in Ireland. I also make a very good Irish Red ale that will keep you returning for more.
Nine Maidens Brewing
1344 University Ave., Rochester
from their website: Nine Maidens was born out of a lot of home experimentation and countless beer tastings. Our aim is to provide the Rochester beer scene with a range of beer styles, from trendy to historical to experimental. As a nano brewery with a batch size of one barrel, we are able to provide a rotating tap list with carefully curated recipes. Small batch size also means limited quantities, so stop in often and get it while it’s fresh! Kettle corn, charcuterie, soft pretzels, and flatbread pizza prepared by Mullers Cider House. Patrons may also bring outside food or have food delivered to the taproom.
Rohrbach Brewing Company
97 Railroad St, Rochester
from their website: Step into our century-old beer hall and craft brewery in the heart of the city. Our beer hall features locally sourced ingredients from our neighbor, the Rochester public market, and craft beers tapped right from the brewery–it doesn’t get any fresher. With our classics always on tap and available for purchase, the beer hall also offers unique one-off brews you can’t find anywhere else.
Sager Beer Works
46 Sager Dr., Rochester
from their website: After 20 years, brewing craft beer is our greatest passion—and every ale, stout, lager, pilsner, and porter is crafted on-site using only the highest quality ingredients. Sager’s locally-grown, house-made artisan food choices—from Soft Bavarian Pretzels and Burgers to Tijuana Tacos and Charcuterie—will enhance your Sager experience.
Seed + Stone Cidery / Lucky Buzz Meadery
1115 E Main St., Hungerford Building, Rochester
from their website: Welcome to our taproom, your destination for exquisite ciders and meads, between The Public Market and The Neighborhood of The Arts in Downtown Rochester, NY. Our taproom in The Hungerford building serves expertly crafted beverages that combine traditional artistry with modern urban flair, creating an unparalleled tasting experience. We encourage patrons to bring in food or get delivery from one of our excellent local restaurants.
Spotted Octopus Brewing Co
According to an article, Spotted Octopus is moving into the South Union Street building vacated when Roc Brewing closed in 2023. They opened their first location in Buffalo’s Allentown neighborhood a few years ago. [read article] I’ll update this guide once they’ve opened.
Strangebird Brewery
62 Marshall Street, Rochester
from their website: Strangebird is a new craft brewery close to the heart of the city in Rochester, New York. Our beer spans all styles and is found exclusively at our brewery.
Swiftwater Brewing Company
378 Mt. Hope Ave., Rochester
from their website: Swiftwater Brewing Company is a farm brewery/brewpub in downtown Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood. Our mission is to create high-quality, innovative beer while providing an atmosphere for our customers and colleagues that fosters camaraderie and acceptance. We love our community and cannot thank it enough for the love we receive from them. We hope you will enjoy our beer as much as we love making it! The food menu includes snacks and small plates.
Three Heads Brewing
186 Atlantic Ave., Rochester
from their website: Try our rotating seasonal craft brews and specials, and enjoy some weekly live music. Plus, we have a patio that rivals other breweries in the city.
Breweries in Monroe County
Aurora Brewing Company
604 Pittsford Victor Rd., Pittsford
from their website: We are located just outside Rochester and exactly one hour from our original taproom and brewery. Our Pittsford location is the most beautiful place to drink a beer in the area. We are in a beautifully restored farmhouse on the Erie Canal and will feature 10 taps of our freshly brewed draft beer and cans, snacks, wine by the glass, and other libations. Currently, our Rochester location is only serving small snacks for food. We plan on introducing more food items in the coming weeks, but we wanted to get open and pour you all this great beer first before we tackle food. We encourage you to order takeout from a delivery service like Grubhub or from one of our local restaurants.
Blue Barn Cidery
928 Manitou Rd., Hilton
from their website: Blue Barn Cidery is licensed as a NY State Farm Winery, so we certify that all our products are crafted from 100% homegrown ingredients. That’s why you won’t see “big label” or “imported” cider & beer on our menu. Every brewery and cidery on our menu carries a Farm License as well. This means you can enjoy your drink more, knowing that 100% of the ingredients you enjoy were grown here in New York, supporting local farmers like us. The remainder of our taps are Guest Feature taps, which offer additional rotating selections from other local brewers.
Blue Toad Hard Cider
120 Mushroom Blvd., Henrietta
from their website: Old-school values, new-world sensibilities. Born in a barn, Blue Toad Hard Cider honors the tradition and legacy of America’s first beverage.
Brindle Haus Brewing Company
377 S Union St., Spencerport
from their website: Brindle Haus Brewing Co. is Spencerport’s first microbrewery. We offer a variety of quality craft beer brewed on-premises.
Faircraft Brauhaus
25 Parce Ave., Fairport
from their website: New to the old American Can Factory, the birthplace of the beer can, is Faircraft Brauhaus. Come enjoy a German-style beer and select food pairings while surrounding yourself with the work of talented local artists and musicians.
Fairport Brewing Company
99 South Main St., Fairport, and 1044 University Ave, Rochester
from their website: The best place to get the full experience of our hand-crafted beers is by enjoying them in our Tap Room – serving tastings, pints, and growlers. There, you’ll find the cozy comfort and antique ambiance of a converted auto repair garage. Or, for three seasons of the year, enjoy a brew and entertainment under the sun and stars of our outdoor patio.
Fifth Frame Brewing
5370 St. Paul Blvd., Irondequoit
Fifth Frame recently opened a new taproom in Irondequoit inside the old Summerville Grill.
from their website: An easygoing brewery serving hearty comfort classics alongside coffee, craft beers, burgers, and biscuits. Sop in for dinner or Sunday brunch.
Griffs Brewery
324 W. Ridge Rd., Spencerport
from their website: We are located near Spencerport, NY, where we make all our craft beer. Come visit us and experience the family-friendly atmosphere.
Irondequoit Beer Company
765 Titus Ave., Irondequoit
from their website: Our story begins with an old hidden treasure within the Town of Irondequoit in Upstate NY. A barn, where generations once farmed their land with grit and sweat, was sitting empty and unseen. We wanted to continue that tradition of taking Nature’s harvest and producing something we could be proud of. So, we brought this little barn back to life and are honored to give Irondequoit their first brewery. Nate, our Head Brewer and Irondequoit resident, has chosen ten perfectly crafted beers for you to enjoy on tap. We also offer a menu that will make your visit complete and memorable.
K2 Brothers Brewing
1221 Empire Blvd., Penfield
from their website: K2 Brothers Brewing is a NYS Farm/Micro Brewery owned and operated by brothers Kyle and Bradley Kennedy. There is a full food menu available.
Knucklehead Craft Brewing
426 Ridge Rd., Webster
from their website: When you visit our tap room, you can always expect someone from the Dummer family behind the bar. Our Knucklehead staff is always ready to educate and even become friends with customers who enter. We typically have around 6-8 beers on tap, 3 of those taps, you can always expect our flagship beers. Our tap room is where over 90% of our beer comes out. It’s absolutely the place to give our beers a try! The Food menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, and panini.
Lock 32 Brewing Company
10 Schoen Pl., Pittsford
from their website: We always have nine signature Lock 32 beers on tap, with a steady rotation of seasonals. To help round out the menu, we always have a refreshing 1911 Hard Cider on tap and some non-alcoholic beverages for the kids and designated drivers of the group. Our tasting room offers a scenic location on the canal.
Oak & Apple Cidery
from their website: At Oak & Apple, we are a small cidery run by a husband and wife. We like to call ourselves a farm-to-glass small-batch cidery. Everything is done on our farm in Penfield, New York – from growing and pressing our apples to fermenting, aging, and bottling our ciders. We do everything in-house because that way, we know the taste of our cider will stay as good as the day we made it, and because we love the process.
Okay Beer Company
125 W. Main St., Honeoye Falls
From their website: A brewery built within the four walls of an old bowling alley. Located 25 minutes south of Rochester in the Village of Honeoye Falls, NY. Eight house-made beers, craft cocktails, and local wine. Sixteen lanes of bowling, indoor and outdoor dining.
Preservation Beer Company
75 N Main St, Fairport
from their website: Some say all things in moderation. We say all things in preservation.
RG Brewery
1360 W. Sweden Rd., Brockport
from their website: Our beautiful Adirondack-style tasting room is the perfect escape close to home. We offer the highest quality wine and beer, all produced in-house.
Rising Storm Brewery
1880 Blossom Road
from their website: RSBC – The Mill – Located at the former site of the historic Daisy Flour Mill, just minutes from the heart of Rochester. We make exceptional beer, deliver the most memorable craft beer experience, & have fun doing it! We serve high-quality, approachable, and delicious food daily in our taproom. Our kitchen rotates the menu regularly, and you can always expect an array of options that pair well with our beer.
Stoneyard Brewing Company
85 Clinton St., Brockport
from their website: Stoneyard Brewing Company does what we love best – brew beer! We will become your favorite local brewpub with 16 beers on tap and quality food.
Triphammer Bierwerks
111 Parce Ave., Fairport
from their website: Set in a 7,800-square-foot industrial building with a unique local canning history, the brewery offers an open location to enjoy an on-site brewed beer.
Descriptions for breweries are from their websites.
Places to Try a Variety of Local Brews
If you want to taste Rochester’s craft beverages but don’t know where to start, head to Mullers Cider House on University Avenue. This craft cider bar serves over 100 cider varieties and delicious local and seasonal food.
Or head to Fattey Beer Company in the Neighborhood of Play. Fattey Beer is a dog-friendly bottle shop, tap room, and a craft community experience, with a large selection of craft beers, wine, cider, seltzer, sodas, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and a world-famous chicken sandwich.
Or check out these events for a taste of Rochester:
Rochester Real Beer Expo in June “features 65 breweries, cideries, kombucha producers, and other craft beverage makers.”
Flour City Brewers Fest in August is “a craft beer festival celebrated in Rochester, NY, featuring local craft breweries, cider, wine, spirits, local foods, and live music.”
New York Cider Fest in October.
Google Map of Locations
Explore More
A perfect day in Rochester would include a visit to one of its world-class museums, spending time in its exceptional parks, and seeing both High Falls and Lake Ontario.
Whether savoring a gourmet meal, enjoying local delicacies, or embarking on a culinary adventure, you’ll love Rochester’s dining scene.
Rochester-Area Shopping Guides
Rochester offers delightful shopping experiences, from charming neighborhood boutiques to bustling shopping destinations in nearby villages.
H2O Heritage: Exploring Rochester’s Freshwater Resources
Rochesterians are fortunate to be surrounded by abundant freshwater resources that present us with unique stewardship opportunities.
Land That I Love: Your Guide to Roaming the Earth Around Rochester
Enjoy the beauty and wonders of the world by making the most of the varied memorable experiences offered by our parks, gardens, and farms.
Rochester’s theaters, museums, and events offer opportunities to celebrate the region’s unique identity and cultural heritage.
🍎 Apple Everything! Rochester’s Best Ciders, Fry Cakes, Fritters, Pies, and More
Come September, we begin to crave all things apple: cider, donuts, fritters, hard cider, pie, and warm cinnamon fry cakes.
Your Rochester Date Guide for Spending Quality Time Together, Day or Night
Whether it’s your first date or 50th anniversary, trying various activities with your partner is a great way to shake up your routine.
Which are your favorite Rochester and Monroe County craft breweries?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
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Has this article been updated for 2022?
Yes, in fact, we recently added Heroes Brewing Company!
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Seed + Stone Cidery, first Cidery in Rochester’s city had awesome traditional style ciders along with some unique ciders
Visit the Blue Barn Cidery: https://www.bluebarncidery.com/
I love it because it uses it’s own local fruit to brew cider and pairs up with other local breweries and wineries to present their products as well, has tons of classes and fun events. It has even paired up with our local library for events. It’s set on a gorgeous farm and has a new venue for weddings and other events. Check it out! Find it on Facebook too.
Ooo! Thank you for the recommendation, Terri! I’ll add them to the list over the next few days.