Rochester-based breweries won big at the 2023 New York State Craft Beer Competition. 

 

Genesee Brew House, who took home three awards throughout the evening received the Governor’s Excelsior Cup, the award that honors the best in show, for their Helles beer. They also won best traditional light lager and New York State Beer.

 

Other Rochester-area breweries who won awards are: 

  • Roc Brewing Company won a silver for its Desert Rose fruited sour

  • Rohrbach Brewing Company received a bronze medal for its Doppelbock

  • Strangebird Beer got a bronze medal for its Russian imperial stout, Russian Bear fight

  • Wood Kettle Brewing and Nine Spot Brewing won a gold medal for its Weizenbock, Pearl to Pine, as well as best collaboration beer

  • Naked Dove Brewing brought home two gold medals for its Russian Imperial Stout and Exposinator Doppelbock 

  • K2 Brothers Brewing was awarded a gold medal for its Imperial Red Rye Ale

  • Swiftwater Brewing Company received a silver medal for its dark Czech lager, Tmave Pivo

  • Heroes Brewing got a bronze medal for its Builders Brew American Pale Ale

  • Peacemaker Brewing won a bronze medal for its hazy IPA Crooked Soul

 

The New York State Craft Beer Competition, organized by the New York State Brewers’ Association, is the largest single-state beer competition in the country. This year, 189 breweries entered a total of 1,350 entries into the competition.

 

Rochester has been named one of the top cities for beer in the country, with Matador Networks calling Rochester the “best city for beer in the northeast.” Smarter Asset ranked Rochester on the list for best cities for beer drinkers in the U.S. Monroe County is home to more than two dozen breweries, each offering unique atmospheres, brews and other offerings. Read the full list of breweries in Rochester and Monroe County here.