The city of Rochester, New York—before being known as the birthplace of Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb—was internationally known for its robust brewing industry. Indeed, the city was uniquely positioned for such an industry in the early 19th century. The corn, rye, barley, wheat, and other grains grown in the Genesee River Valley were shipped down river to be milled in such quantity that by 1838 Rochester was world's largest flour producer, earning it the nickname the Flour City.

When the Erie Canal opened in Rochester in 1823 the city became a true western Boomtown, growing from a population of 9,200 in 1821 to 36,000 by 1850—a year in which the city has at least 20 breweries in operation. The emergence of the canal also allowed for the easy delivery of hops, grown to such an extent in area the between Albany and Syracuse that by 1849 the region produced more than anywhere else in the country, eventually selling more than three million pounds annually by 1855.

A large influx of German immigrants escaping famine and war in the late 1840s also contributed to the industry's growth. During the 1850s another dozen breweries began operating. By 1880, 13 breweries produced a product valued at $1,411,000. By the early 20th century, brewing was an immensely successful industry in the city. In 1901 470,000 barrels of beer and another 105,000 barrels of ale were produced. In 1909 nine major breweries supplied not only the local market, but the entire northeast.

While the breweries themselves were large employers, they also supported a number of other industries including bottlers; salesmen; teamsters; ice cutters; farmers growing wheat, barley, and hops; tavern keepers; lithographers (for labels); wagon makers and horsemen. In turn, the sale of brewery grain to farmers brought about $100,000 to local brewers. Beer was applauded by brewers and many doctors as healthy a liquid bread.

Prohibition shuttered the Rochester brewing scene in 1919. After Prohibition, only five breweries would reopen in Rochester. By 1970, only the Genesee Brewing Company was left.

Today, more than a dozen independent craft brewers operate in the City of Rochester, and another two dozen within Monroe County.

Pre-prohibition

1819 The first person known to brew beer in the village of Rochester on any scale was Nathan Lyman, nephew of Red Mill owner Hervey Eli. He did so with water taken from a natural spring around the area where St Paul St and Central Avenue meet to his home on Water Street close to the present day Main Street Bridge. Subsequent city directories list the address of Lyman's brewery as "south end of Water Street" (1834), "East end of the aqueduct" (1838), 17 Water Street (1841), and 40 South St. Paul St. (1844). The address of the spring is listed as 67 North St. Paul St. by a later purchase of that property. 1824 A January advertisement in the Rochester Telegraph promotes cash paid for corn, rye, and barley by Captain Ely's Brewery. In October, Reuben Bennet, of Manilus, repairs and extends an existing brewery owned by Ely & Ensworth, likely located on the site of the present Powers Building. Other advertisements that year note “Cash paid for Barley at the new brewery at the east end of the aqueduct," “fresh yeast for sale” and “malting done on short notice.” 1825 A Rochester Telegraph article describing a recent census notes the village has two breweries in operation. 1826 An advertisement for a brewery operated by Stebbins and Doyle serving Bennet's Beer appears. An 1829 advert locates the brewery next door to a tannery located at 8 Buffalo St, near Water St. 1834 John and Gabriel Longmuir establish a brewery at 8 North Water Street, later identified as Rochester Brewery. In 1837 a natural spring is discovered on the brothers’ property; Longmuir Springs and Baths opens to the public in a building adjoining the brewery. 1838 Matthias Sparks takes over operation of City Springs Brewery from Richard Cristie. 1840 Samuel Warren establishes City Spring Brewery, so called because of a fresh water spring just east of the establishment, likely the same spring from which Nathan Lyman used. The brewery was located on a block bounded by Central Ave. and Water, River, and North St. Paul Strs., currently part of the Inner Loop (see map below). Warren is said to be to the first to introduce pale ale to Rochester. Warren died in January 1844 and passed the brewery to his son, Edward K. Warren, who in turn passed it to his son, Edward C. Warren. By 1848 the brewery employs 20 men and brews 75 barrels per week. In 1885 a new building is erected. On July 1, 1893, the E.K. Warren Brewery Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $35,000. Warren's Champagne Ale and Burton Ale were specialties. In 1877 the brewery employed 15 men and produced 9,000 barrels; by 1894, it was producing 20,000 barrels annually. James Hanley purchases the brewery in August, 1899. Nathan Lyman no longer appears in the City Directory. 1841 George Marburger establishes his brewery along a single-track railway at 80 Clinton Avenue North. In 1848 he is put in charge of Marburger Brothers, a company composed of himself and Jacob and Louis Marburger. In 1849 Charles Rau is hired as brewmaster. George dies in 1854 leaving his widow, Elizabeth and brother, Jacob, in control. When Jacob and Elizabeth Rau move on to other ventures, Jacob Marburger partners with George Spies, forming Marburger & Spies Brewery on the site. The buildings were demolished in 1881 in favor of a new train station for Central Railway.Pfaefflin, Hermann; Wallenberg, Rudolf; Swinney, H.J. (2007). A 100-Year History of the German Community in Rochester, NY 1815-1915. Rochester, NY: The Federation of German-American Societies. ISBN 9780615163352 1849 Louis Bauer constructs a brewery on Lyell Street, just west of the canal, near the bridge, which operates for 20 years. In 1870 his son, Louis Bauer Jr., takes charge, partnering with George B. Swikehard to form Louis Bauer Jr. and Company. Bauer Jr. relocates to 23 Hudson Avenue the next year but is out business by 1873. Swikehard stays at the Lyell facility until 1874; in 1875 he is the Superintendent of the Rochester Brewing Company. In 1881, Bauer Sr. sells the brewery building to H. Likely and Co., trunk manufacturer. 1851 Robert Syme, after years brewing in Auburn, NY, opens a brewery on Alexander Street near University Avenue. The city directory of that year lists him as a brewer at 13 S Water Street. He later partners with William H. Burtis. 1852 Henry Bartholomay comes to Rochester, entering into business with Phillip Wills. On December 7 their brewery serves the first glass of lager beer produced in Rochester. 1852 Frederick Miller establishes a brewery on Brown Street. In 1861 he purchased a new site on Lake Avenue and built a new facility. The original building was destroyed in fire in 1869 and rebuilt, only to burn down again in 1876, again being rebuilt. In 1883 the Miller Brewery Company was incorporated. The company added an ale house in 1889 and later introduced its famous Acme Ale. Its name was changed to Flower City Brewing in 1902 and would operate until Prohibition. 1853 Jacob Baetzel opens a brewery on the corner of North Clinton and Marietta Streets, later listed as 86 N Clinton. In 1864, the brewery in located on N Clinton near Clifford, listed, in 1888, as 855 N Clinton. Baetzel dies 16 June 1870. His son, J. George Baetzel resumes the business and, in 1890, is vice-president of the Union Brewing Company, operating in the same facility; he dies May 24, 1892. 1855 Frederick Loebs and Christian Meyer establish Meyer & Loebs Brewery on the corner of Hudson and Merrimac. In 1879, the name is changed to Lion Brewing Company and Loebs's son, Frederick C. Loebs, joins the firm; in 1885, it is called Loebs Brothers. Finally, in 1889, it is incorporated under the name American Brewing Company (ABC); a new facility is built, designed by Adam C. Wagner, and brews until Prohibition. In 1898 an ale brewery is erected. By 1903 capacity 100,000 barrels; by 1907, 200,000 barrels. ABC's bottled beer takes prizes at the 1900 Paris Exposition and the 1901 the Marseilles Fair. Standard Brewing is also incorporated, initially brewing only in bulk.A History of the Brewery and Liquor Industry of Rochester, NY (PDF). Rochester, NY: The Kearse Publishing Company. 1907. Retrieved 16 May 2022. 1856 Charles Rau, now-husband to George Marburger's widow, Elizabeth, establishes Charles Rau Brewing on St. Paul Street. He later takes on a partner to form Rau & Reisky. In 1874 the brewery becomes known as Reisky & Spies. 1858 Patrick Enright establishes Enright Brewing Company at 149 Mill Street on the corner Factory Street. According to The Western Brewer, in 1879 the brewery sells 3,333 barrels of beer. Patrick dies 25 June 1883, at which point his son, Thomas J. Enright, takes over. In 1887 Michael P. Enright is in charge and three stories are added. The brewery is sold to Frank H. Falls in 1905 for $50,000 and operates until 1907. Parts of the Enright Brewery were used in construction of the brewery at the Genesee Country Village and Museum, though that structure burned down in 1888. 1860 Joseph Nunn opens a brewery at 347 Brown Street, on the corner of Wentworth, which operates until 1890 when Nunn founds Nunn Brass Works. The building still stands as 641 Brown Street. 1861 Joseph Yaman, previously a baker, opens a brewery at 247 Exchange Street, on the north side of the Clarissa Street Bridge. In 1864 he moves his operations to 120 Jay Street, on the corner of Saxton (now 446 Jay Street). From 1880 to 1881 he brings on John Kase as a partner. Kase then opens his own brewery on the corner of Colvin and Syke Streets. The Yaman brewery operates until 1889. 1863 Frank Weinmann opens a brewery on Jay Street, near Whitney—the address changes over the years from 35 to 351 and finally to 635. Frank dies in March 1876 and his wife, Margaret, takes over operating the brewery until she retires in 1889 when their son, Charles G., takes control the brewery until 1911, when the brewery ceases operations. 1864 The Longmuir brothers sell their brewery to Charles Gordon who partners with Henry H. Bevier, forming H.H. Bevier & Co.. In 1869 H. B. Hathaway entered the partnership. A new building is erected on Water Street connecting it with the older brewery building by underground tunnel. They later build a stable for 32 horses in order to deliver beer throughout the city. It is the first stable in Rochester in which the horses sleep on the second floor. Bevier died 1872 and the firm changed its name to Hathaway and Gordon. Upon his death Bevier left a sum of money to his wife, Susan, who, upon her death in 1903, left a gift of more than $300,000 to the Mechanics Institute—predecessor to Rochester Institute of Technology—for the construction of the Bevier Memorial Building, built on the site of Nathaniel Rochester's second home in the village. 1864 William Miller first appears as a brewer on North Avenue (now Portland) near German Street (now Central Park) and Draper Street. The address is later listed as 58 North Avenue. A Union and Advertiser article from December 30, 1876, notes the brewery was “destroyed by fire this morning.” 1867 Brothers Jacob and Ulrich Schroth begin brewing as Schroth and Brother at 106 St. Joseph Avenue, on the corner of Baden Street where they already operate a successful meat market, for which they are better known. Ulrich dies the same year and Jacob continues the business until he retires around 1873 at which point his son-in-law, Mathias Kirst, takes over until 1877, when brewing at the address stops. The address continues to operate as a meat market until 1883.