25-03-2025
Finger Lakes and Rochester breweries take home medals in beer competition: The list
Two downstate breweries may have tied for New York State Brewery of the Year.
But several breweries in the Finger Lakes region fared well in the New York State Craft Beer Competition, which was held over the weekend in Albany and judged in early March in Rochester, including hometown favorites Genesee Brew House and Strangebird among others in Ontario County.
For the record, Grimm Artisanal Ales of Brooklyn won its fourth title and tied with Wayward Lane Brewing of Schoharie, its second.
The folks at Grimm were not looking so grim after also winning three gold, two silver and two bronze medals as well as the 2025 Governor's Excelsior Craft Beer Cup for its wheat beer, Grimm Weisse.
In all, 1,320 beers were entered by 207 breweries and 96 medals were awarded.
Three Finger Lakes area breweries took home multiple medals.
Genesee Brew House won gold for its Genesee Brew House Scotch Ale in the Amber/Red Ale category. There were 61 entries. Its Chocolate Scotch Ale won bronze in the Specialty Beers: Light & Amber Ales and Lagers category. There were 33 entries.
Prison City Brewing in Auburn, Cayuga County, won silver for its Crispy Boys in the American Lager category. There were 42 entries. Its Quiet Riot won bronze in the Experimental IPA category. There were 24 entries.
Keuka Brewing Co. in Hammondsport, Steuben County, won bronze for its Barrel Aged Murder in the Barrel Aged (Non Sour) category. There were 43 entries. Its Pumpkin Cream Ale won bronze in the Specialty Beers: Light & Amber Ales and Lagers category. There were 33 entries.
Okay Beer in Honeoye Falls won gold for its Frisco Kid in the American IPA category. There were 55 entries.
Strangebird in Rochester won gold for its Savior Vivire 10° in the Belgian Other (Trappist, Strong) category. There were 44 entries.
The Other Half, which has locations in East Bloomfield and Canandaigua, won gold for its Blue Cheese in the Hazy IPA category. There were 104 entries.
Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co. in Weedsport, Cayuga County, won silver for its Blood Orange Kolsch in the Field Beer (Non Sour) category. There were 37 entries.
Skaneateles Brewery in Onondaga County won silver for its Skanny Dipper Blonde Ale in the Golden/Blonde Ale category. There were 38 entries.
Aurora Brewing Co., which has locations in Pittsford and Aurora, Cayuga County, won bronze for its DHFS: Motueka in the Barrel Aged Sour category. There were 16 entries.
Birdhouse Brewing in Honeoye won bronze for its Honey Cream Ale in the Cream Ale category. There were 39 entries.
Eli Fish Brewing Co. in Batavia won bronze for its Chateau Tropicale in the Experimental category. There were 17 entries.
Liquid State Brewing Co. in Ithaca won bronze for its Surf Guitar Gose in the Kettle and Simple Sours category. There were 17 entries.
New York Beer Project, which has a location in Victor, won bronze for its Irish Coffee Stout in the Specialty Beers: Stouts & Porters category. There were 48 entries.
ONCO Fermentations Inc. from Tully, Onondaga County, won gold for its Saison Blend One in the Belgian Farmhouse category.
Underground Beer Lab in Syracuse won gold for its Mild Return In the Brown Ale category. Its Particle and Vast Expanse won gold and silver, respectively, in the Hazy Pale Ale category.
Heritage Hill Brewhouse in Pompey, Onondaga County, won gold for its Oh My, Apple Pie in the Field Beer (Sour) category.
Seneca St. Brew Pub in Manlius, Onondaga County, won silver for its Collusion in the Imperial Stout and Porter category.
Riseform Brewing Co. from Marcellus, Onondaga County, won bronze for its Delightfully Ominous in the Stout (Non Imperial) category.
Willow Rock Brewing Co. from Syracuse won gold for its Bear, Ninja, Cowboy 2024: Lunar Outlaw in the Strong Ale (Non-Belgian) category.
Local 315 Brewing Co. In Warners, Onondaga County, won bronze for its Winter Warmer in the Strong Ale (Non-Belgian) category.
Pearl Street Grill and Brewery won gold for its Saber's Edge in the American DIPA category.
Big Ditch Brewing Co. and Resurgence Brewing Co. won gold and silver for their Carrot Cake and Another Caucasian Gary, respectively, in the Experimental category.
Hamburg Brewing Co. in Erie County won gold for its OMS in the Stout (Non Imperial) category.
Resurgence Brewing Co. in Buffalo won silver for its Resurgence White Ale in the Wheat Beer category.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Finger Lakes breweries medal in NYS Craft Beer Competition: Winners
