Western New York's craft beer scene has exploded over the past decade, turning former industrial buildings, village blacksmith shops, and even old theaters into vibrant taprooms. With more than 80 breweries, cideries, and distilleries spread across the region, there is always something new to discover from nationally ranked brewpubs in Rochester to cozy ski town spots in Ellicottville. Whether you are a hop head, a sour fanatic, or just looking for a great patio to enjoy a pint, here is where to drink local.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 WNY Beer Trail Pass covers 80 locations across the region with buy one get one deals on craft beers, ciders, and meads.
- Strangebird Brewery in Rochester was ranked number 3 best brewpub in the nation by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
- Resurgence Brewing won silver for Bridge Pilsner at the 2026 New York State Craft Beer Competition, and Rusty Nickel Brewing took gold for Pumpernickel Porter.
- New additions for 2026 include Buffalo Brewing Co, Chandler Street Breweries, Other Half Buffalo, Shuffle City Brewing, and Bones & Barley.
- Chandler Street Breweries brings Community Beer Works, Thin Man, and Smoldered Society together under one roof.
- The craft beer scene here is thriving with crisp IPAs at Big Ditch, rich porters at Resurgence, and unique sours at New York Beer Project.
Buffalo's Historic Taprooms
Buffalo's brewery scene is as much about history as it is about beer. Many of the city's best taprooms are housed in beautifully restored industrial buildings that tell the story of Buffalo's past.
BriarBrothers Brewing Company at 50 Elk Street is housed in a former grain drying house from 1894. This cozy spot features a diverse tap list of pale ales, lagers, and hard seltzers. In warmer months, you can grab an Adirondack chair on the patio as the historic silos tower above. Thursday through Saturday evenings, Buffalo Deep Dish serves up Detroit style and Chicago deep dish pizzas.
Resurgence Brewing Company at 55 Chicago Street is located in the historic E&B Holmes Machinery Company complex. The taproom is industrial chic with exposed rafters and towering fermentation tanks always on view. Many of their flavor profiles, like the Sponge Candy Stout and Loganberry Wit, are directly inspired by regional delicacies. Their Bridge Pilsner won silver at the 2026 New York State Craft Beer Competition.
Big Ditch Brewing Company at 55 East Huron Street is one of the region's most celebrated breweries with 16 TAP NY and New York State Brewers Association awards. The downtown taproom is located in a former Verizon fleet maintenance building from the 1960s, now transformed into a bright, inviting space with a bar, dining room, fireplace, and shuffleboard. Their Hayburner American IPA is easily the most ordered Big Ditch beer in Western New York.
Buffalo Olde Brewery at 1221 East Lovejoy Street occupies two restored historic spaces, the former Olde Theater Building built in 1890 and Propis Grill, a speakeasy during Prohibition. Led by veteran brewmaster Tom Dargen, the brewery honors neighborhood lore with clean, classic pours like the Lovejoy Lager.
Chandler Street Breweries at 166 Chandler Street is a boldly collaborative taproom in Buffalo's Black Rock neighborhood where three of the region's most respected breweries have come together under one roof, Community Beer Works, Thin Man, and Smoldered Society. With 24 draft lines pouring beers brewed on site and wood fired pizza to boot, it captures both Buffalo's craft beer heritage and its momentum.
Northtowns and Williamsville
Britesmith Brewing at 5611 Main Street in Williamsville is located in an 1800s blacksmith shop on Ellicott Creek. Two buildings, one brewpub and one brewery, are connected by a beer garden that is buzzing in the summer. Their Wills' Pils earned a gold medal at the New York State Craft Beer Competition. Other favorites include the Briteside IPA and 7 Iron Stout. The brewery emphasizes on site consumption with an awesome food menu including Smitty Wings, Cheek on Weck, wood fired pizzas, and smashburgers.
New York Beer Project is known for unique sours and award winning beers. They won three medals at the 2026 NYS Craft Beer Competition, including gold for Hazy Train in the Hazy IPA category.
Ellicottville and the Southtowns
Route 219 has become the connective tissue for a number of breweries dotted throughout the Southtowns, making for an easily planned brewery crawl.
Ellicottville Brewing Company at 8 Monroe Street is a ski country destination and brewpub in the heart of Ellicottville. Their Blueberry Wheat comes with real blueberries in the beer, and they have also released a new non alcoholic Blueberry Wheat Ale for 2026. Weekend brewery tours include samples and a commemorative glass.
Steelbound Brewery and Distillery at 6600 US 219 in Ellicottville is a beacon of cuisine, craft beer, and spirits with an amazing customer service experience. The menu features local purveyors, creating fresh and seasonal flavors. They also have a patio and multiple levels of seating. There is a second location in Springville with a full food and cocktail menu.
Hamburg Brewing at 6553 Boston State Road in Hamburg is a true destination brewery with a floor to ceiling stone fireplace and ski lodge feel. Try their Lil Guy Session IPA.
Rochester and the Finger Lakes
Rochester's brewery scene is equally impressive, with Strangebird Brewery leading the charge.
Strangebird Brewery at 62 Marshall Street in Rochester was ranked number 3 best brewpub in the nation by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards . The craft brewery has garnered significant acclaim and was named the New York State Craft Brewery of the Year in 2022. Curated to pair with its beer, the food menu includes made from scratch items like a BBQ cauliflower sandwich, a mortadella pizza, and black garlic parmesan wings.
Rohrbach Brewing Company is Rochester's oldest craft brewery, founded in 1991. They operate two locations: a brewpub on Buffalo Road in Ogden and a beer hall near the Rochester Public Market.
Three Heads Brewing serves award winning craft beer in Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts, with 16 freshly made beers on tap and live music every Saturday and Sunday. Their flagship Kind IPA is Rochester's signature craft beer.
2026 WNY Beer Trail Pass
The 2026 WNY Beer Trail Pass is the best way to explore the region's craft beer scene. It covers 80 locations across Western New York with buy one get one deals on craft beers, ciders, and meads. New additions for 2026 include Buffalo Comedy Collective, Other Half Buffalo, Shuffle City Brewing, and Bones & Barley. The pass is valid through December 31, 2026. You can purchase paper passes online or in person at Buffalo Gift Emporium in Tonawanda and Williamsville.
FAQ
Q: How many breweries are in Western New York?
A: The 2026 WNY Beer Trail Pass covers 80 participating locations across the region, including breweries, cideries, and distilleries, from the Northtowns to the Southtowns and beyond.
Q: What is the WNY Beer Trail Pass?
A: It is a pass that gives you buy one get one deals on craft beers, ciders, and meads at 80 participating locations across Western New York. It is valid through December 31, 2026, and can be purchased as a paper booklet or mobile version.
Q: Which Buffalo brewery has the best history?
A: BriarBrothers Brewing is housed in an 1894 grain drying house. Resurgence Brewing occupies a 19th century machinery complex that revolutionized barrel making. Buffalo Olde Brewery is in a former theater from 1890 and a Prohibition era speakeasy.
Q: Where can I find nationally recognized beer in WNY?
A: Strangebird Brewery in Rochester was ranked number 3 best brewpub in the nation by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
Q: What breweries won awards in 2026?
A: New York Beer Project won gold for Hazy Train. Resurgence Brewing won silver for Bridge Pilsner. Rusty Nickel Brewing won gold for Pumpernickel Porter. Many other WNY breweries also took home medals.
Q: Are there non-alcoholic options at WNY breweries?
A: Yes. Ellicottville Brewing has released a non-alcoholic Blueberry Wheat Ale for 2026.
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