It can be overwhelming to consider all of the breweries that call the Finger Lakes, Genesee Valley, Niagara, Southern Tier, and Western New York regions home. So we’ll focus on the ones closest to Rochester, all in Monroe County!
These artisans show off their newest and most popular creations while giving you a food and beverage experience, making for a great day trip.
1. Genesee Brewing Company
25 Cataract St., Rochester
Our Pilot Brewery contains Newlands steam-fired 20-barrel brewing system. The small batch system allows for 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, 11am–9pm and Thursday–Saturday, 11am–10pm, and features a flight of four different beers for $4. You may also purchase growlers to enjoy our beer at home.
2. The Lost Borough Brewing Co.
543 Atlantic Ave, Rochester
Looking for some food to go with those great Lost Borough beers? We offer yummy munches like our Hop Nugget Artisan Pretzel Bites and Build-Your Own Meat and Cheese plates to keep the hunger on the run while imbibing in a brew.
Looking for a full meal? We encourage you to ask our servers for menus to local businesses like Sticky Lips and surrounding takeout restaurants. You can also bring in your own food or cater in our place.
3. CB Craft Brewers
300 Village Square Blvd, Honeoye Falls
Our spacious tasting room features 26 craft beers on tap daily for you to sample and take home. Every beer is brewed on premise and delivered fresh to the Tasting Room wall.
We always have our CB brand beers on tap as well as private label beers we brew for WNY watering holes and restaurants.
4. Rohrbach Brewing Company
97 Railroad St, Rochester
Step into our century-old beer hall and craft brewery located 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. Brewery Tours available on Saturdays 11am-4pm, every hour on the hour
5. Swiftwater Brewing Company
378 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester
Swiftwater Brewing Company is a farm brewery/brewpub located in the heart of downtown Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood.
6. Knucklehead Craft Brewing
426 Ridge Rd, Webster
A love for crafting, brewing, and sharing great beer.
7. Blue Toad Hard Cider
120 Mushroom Blvd, Rochester
Old-school values, new-world sensibilities. Born in a barn, Blue Toad Hard Cider honors the tradition and legacy of America’s first beverage.
8. Triphammer Bierwerks
111 Parce Avenue, Fairport
Craft Brewery & Tap Room
9. Lock 32 Brewing Company
10 Schoen Pl., Pittsford
We have nine signature Lock 32 beers on tap at all times with a steady rotation of seasonals. To help round out the menu we always have a refreshing 1911 Hard Cider on tap as well some non-alcoholic beverages for the kids and designated drivers of the group.
Our tasting room offers a scenic location on the canal.
10. Three Heads Brewing
186 Atlantic Ave, Rochester
Come in to try our rotating seasonal craft brew offerings, food and drink specials or to enjoy some weekly live music.
Plus we have a patio that rivals any other breweries in the city.
11. Fairport Brewing Company
99 South Main Street, Fairport and 1044 University Ave, Rochester
The best place to get the full experience of our hand-crafted beers is 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.
12. Iron Tug Brewing
360 W Ridge Rd, Rochester
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 out to make the closest beer to a Guinness poured in Ireland. I also make a very good Irish Red ale that will keep you coming back for more.
13. Griffs Brewery
324 W Ridge Rd, Spencerport
We are located right outside Spencerport NY where we make all our craft beer for you to enjoy! Come visit us and experience the family atmosphere!
14. Stoneyard Brewing Company
1 Main St S, Brockport
Stoneyard Brewing Company does what we love best – brew beer! With 16 beers on tap and quality food, we’re sure to become your favorite local brewpub.
15. RG Brewery and Five Sons Winery
1360 West Sweden Rd, Brockport
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.
16. Roc Brewing Company
56 S Union St, Rochester
Located in Downtown Rochester, NY, Roc Brewing Co. is one of Rochester’s original craft breweries.
We brew beer in-house just behind our tasting room, where we serve pints, flights and food made to order.
17. WhichCraft Brews
1900 Empire Blvd, Webster
WhichCraft Brews is a craft beer brewery, brewpub with “To-Go” packs, and a restaurant.
We feature 55 taps on draft (including five brewed on premises), an in-house custom “Food Truck” serving our signature sand’WHICHes, and “To-Go” packs & cases.
18. Wood Kettle Brewing
1192 Manitou Rd, Hilton
Wood Kettle Brewing has developed many different beer recipes over time and this dedication to perfection, rewards you, the customer, with fantastic, flavorful beer every time. From our award winning Local 20 Intro IPA to our dark, roasty Storm Chaser Stout, you should be able to find something you love.
We also serve wine made right here in New York State as well as guest taps of local breweries and hard cider makers.
19. Sager Beer Works
46 Sager Dr, Rochester
After 20 years, brewing craft beer is our greatest passion – and every ale, stout, lager, pilsner and porter are crafted on-site using only the highest quality ingredients.
And speaking of ingredients, our food menu features only locally grown, artisanal choices selected to enhance your experience.
20. Brindle Haus Brewing Company
377 S Union St, Spencerport
Brindle Haus Brewing Co. is Spencerport’s first micro-brewery. We offer a variety of quality craft beer brewed on premise.
21. K2 Brothers Brewing
1221 Empire Blvd, Penfield
K2 Brothers Brewing is a NYS Farm/Micro Brewery.
22. Seven Story Brewing
604 Pittsford Victor Rd, Pittsford
A new brewing experience on the Erie Canal. Located in historic Bushnell’s Basin.
It is widely believed and written about that all stories and plotlines ever written fall into one (or more) of seven different categories or story archetypes. These are: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, Rebirth.
Each of our beers will gain inspiration and name from a famous (or newly created) story within each category.
Descriptions for breweries are from their websites.
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Which are your favorite craft breweries?
Share with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!