Swiftwater Brewing Company

Went on a overcast day and it was a great choice: open , spacious, nice outside/ inside space. Need to show vaccine proof which is no problem, service was muddled until you figure out the bar workflow, got a flight and enjoyed a nice break on historic Mt Hope ave across from the Ford street bridge (Original Nick Tahoe’s across the bridge ) , at the crossroads of U of R and downtown, and the cemetery with local historical figures Susan B Anthony, Frederick Douglas. This location is a welcome addition to the Rochester beer scene. Btw our flight was delic And we didn’t go home empty handed!

 

 

This place was very big and spacious. The staff was very friendly and super knowledgeable. The beer was solid but nothing that jumped off the page for me. They had very good hazy ipas and a really good sour. They had about 10-12 taps 2 of which were guest taps. The tap list had a nice variety of different styles. I have heard this place can be a hit or miss but this time was a hit. Solid brewery and definitely worth a visit!

 

Decent selection and prices on the beer but several had off-flavors. Unfriendly bartenders. Food was bland and uninteresting. Did not live up to expectations (or BA ratings) and I do not expect to be back, too many other places to try.

 

 

 

I live an hour away and get to Rochester perhaps once a month. Any time I can swing by Swiftwater to have a beer, perhaps a meal, or just fill a growler, this is the place. The atmosphere is very relaxed in a simple environment including a hand made bar top from wood harvested on the co-owners farm. They have a farm brewery license which requires using a majority of New York State ingredients. The Brewer makes great use of what is available, with a constantly changing variety of unusual beers, from simple, to sour, to hi octane. You can see by the number of beers already reviewed in such a short time that you will most likely see few of these beers on your next visit. Be surprised!
The food menu is simple, however, the last visit in September included food with vegetables from both the raised garden beds outside the front of the brewery and from the co-owners farm. Local farm ingredients in both the beer and the food? You really can't get more local than this!

Greats somewhat newer place in Rochester. Lots of outside tables and chairs café style, Inside plenty of room with more tables and a large long L bar. Good people and good beer. Wide range of intelligent creative brews from Thai PAs to Patersbiers. Citrusy IPAs and Pales to Belgian Dubbels and Saisons. Bretts and sour fruit beers. Through in some oak barrel aged and some guest or collab brews (Kiwi Cider Gose...amazing!!). Flights and 4oz single tasters...12 and 16oz full pours. Had just eaten elsewhere so didn't try food but menu looked equally interesting and excellent. Really a true beer café that includes the brewery as well. Must stop!

 

 

 

8 beers on tap. Decent selection for a brewery with rotating taps. Pretty standard beers - nothing too interesting. Low quality review because you can completely figure out each beer (of 5 I sampled) after 2-3 sips. They lacked an interesting depth and complexity. Some had a muddy aftertaste.

 

 

One of Rochester's newest breweries, a super welcome addition to the scene.

The place is beautiful, very open, cozy but spacious at the same time. Beautiful wood bar, handcrafted by the owner, as far as I know. In the summer they open the big front doors, with a nice little patio looking out onto Mt. Hope.

The people here are super nice and super knowledgeable, always making you feel at home.

About 8-10 taps at any given time, a handful of IPAs, usually a few wild-type beers, and a random assortment of other stuff. Swiftwater has already made some really tasty beer- they have loads of potential, and I can't wait to see how they grow even further.

No food yet, but you can order in or bring takeout. They do sell pumpkin seeds to snack on, though.

Great place, fun to visit, and with loads of potential.

 

As a newly opened brewery, Swift Water clearly has the best original offering of any of the start-up breweries I have visited. Of the five beers I tried, ( Scotty 60 Shilling, Dark Saison, Topaz Pail Ale, Brett IPA, & Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Ale,) all were well above par, except Scotty 60 Schilling, which only suffered by comparison to the others. The Dark Saison was truly exceptional, and I will definitely be back for a growler. IMO Swift Water is currently, May 2015, making the most inspired beer in Rochester, NY.

V - A long ? Black Wallnut ? bar, wraps around the taps, with the brew kettles just out of reach, (the mess of the brewing floor is concealed from view) with a section of the bar scalloped for ease of conversation, and USB ports along the length. Some well used kyacks are "stored" in alcoves above large booths along the wall, while ample room is available for mingling, and a glass garage door opens to Mt. Hope Ave. Traffic went unnoticed, as the building is set back far enough. Vintage vinyl plays as a background, and there are no televisions. Food trucks are on hand, though I didn't sample their food.

Q - As noted above, this is probably, "... the most inspired beer in Rochester, NY," as of May 2015. A few barrels were visible above the cooler, marked with ambitious styles, that I look forward to trying.

S - The Guys were super friendly, with no hint of being too cool for school. Knowledgeable and down to earth.

S - Eight taps, including one guest, lots of local craft cider, wine, distilled spirits, and soda.

Best of luck to Swift Water, their brewing skill certainly deserves it!

 

 

 

One of the best things to emerge in the Rochester beer scene in quite some time. They are brewing distinctive and clean beers. I can't say enough about the bar itself. It's beautiful, especially the seventy-foot long black walnut bar at its core. I'm really excited to see what the future holds for these guys.