We already know that Rochester has a strong, robust craft beer community that continues to grow stronger every year. Downstate breweries look to the Rochester area as the next growth market for their satellite operations. We get listed in odd write up as one of the top-ten destinations for craft beer… in the world? Clearly something special is going on here.
The annual New York State Brewers Conference was hosted in Albany during the second week in March, with the highlight being the annual New York State Craft Beer Competition, the largest state-level competition in the United States. This year, judges considered 1,264 entries from 185 breweries across the Empire State. “Each year the New York State Craft Beer Competition continues to grow, both in the number of entries and in the quality of submissions,” said Paul Leone, Executive Director, New York State Brewers Association. “We are incredibly proud of the beer being produced by our members and this competition showcases the amazing and diverse craft beer of New York State.”
This year, 84 medals were awarded to 56 breweries, along with two Governor’s Cups (due to a statistical tie) and two Brewery of the Year Awards… Quite a few of these notable awards went to Rochester area and nearby Finger Lakes craft breweries, with five alone going to Strangebird, which opened on Marshall Street in Rochester in 2021. Here’s a breakdown of the awards…
Brewery of the Year – TIED
Strangebird, Rochester, NY
Grimm Artisian Ales, Brooklyn, NY
Governor’s Cup Award for Best Beer – TIED
Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing, Weedsport, NY – Woodruff Berliner Style Weisse
Wood Kettle Brewing, Hilton, NY – Brother Bear Brown Ale
Strangebird also won an award for Best Collaboration for their Artisinal Harvest Saison with Steuben Brewing. Strangebird brought home a gold medal for Breakfast Bear Fight Imperial Stout. Bronze medals were also awarded for their Polewnik Experimental collaboration with Roc Brewing, The Western Amber/Dark Lager, and the Artisinal Harvest Saison collaboration.
Swiftwater Brewing took home two gold medals for Knowledge is Sour: Margarita Barrel Aged Sour and Saison or Die Belgian Farmhoue Ale.
Three Heads Brewing earned silver for their Barrel Aged Barleywine.
Naked Dove Brewing of Canandaigua picked up gold medals for The GOAT Bock Beer and 45 Fathoms Porter, and a silver medal for their Russian Imperial Stout.
No BS Brewing of Lakeville took a gold medal for their Winter Warmer Spiced Beer and a bronze for Groundskeeper Willy Scotch Ale.
Rising Storm Brewing of Lakeville earned a bronze medal for the Shadowboxin’ Hazy IPA.
WeBe Brewing of Geneva earned a bronze model for At My WITs End Witbier.
What a way to start off 2022! Here’s a full list of all the winners.
Rochester Beer Blog 
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