Finger Lakes and Rochester breweries win awards in competition

Several breweries from the Finger Lakes region scored big at the New York State Craft Beer Competition held recently in Albany. The event, judged in early March, showcased over 1,300 beers from 207 breweries, resulting in 96 medals awarded. Genesee Brew House received two medals. It won gold for its Scotch Ale in the Amber/Red Ale category and bronze for its Chocolate Scotch Ale. Another Finger Lakes brewery, Prison City Brewing, also performed well. It earned silver for its Crispy Boys lager and bronze for Quiet Riot IPA. Keuka Brewing Co. took home medals too. It won bronze for its Barrel Aged Murder and for its Pumpkin Cream Ale. In the American IPA category, Okay Beer from Honeoye Falls won gold for its Frisco Kid. Strangebird in Rochester also won gold for its Savior Vivire ale. The Other Half Brewing, with locations in East Bloomfield and Canandaigua, won gold for its Blue Cheese in the Hazy IPA category. Additional silver medalists from the area include Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing and Skaneateles Brewery. Bronze awards were given to Aurora Brewing Co. and Birdhouse Brewing, among others. Several Syracuse-area breweries also made their mark. ONCO Fermentations won gold for its Saison Blend One, while Underground Beer Lab won gold in multiple categories. In the Buffalo area, Pearl Street Grill and Brewery received gold for its Saber’s Edge DIPA. Big Ditch Brewing Co. and Hamburg Brewing Co. stood out with their experimental and stout category awards. This competition highlighted the growing craft beer scene in New York. With many breweries walking away with honors, the Finger Lakes and Rochester areas continue to thrive in the brewing industry.