Swiftwater Brewing

Swiftwater Brewing is a New York State-licensed farm brewery located at 378 Mt Hope Ave in Rochester's South Wedge neighborhood. Owner and head brewer Andy Cook, a former whitewater kayak instructor and longtime homebrewer, opened the brewery in January 2015 with the help of family and friends. The operation runs on a seven-barrel brewing system and focuses on producing craft beer made with locally sourced New York State ingredients. Swiftwater has built a following in the Rochester craft beer scene through its commitment to fresh, seasonal sourcing and a from-scratch food kitchen.

Swiftwater produces a range of beer styles, including IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and Kölsch. The brewery also offers gluten-reduced options. Their sour beer series goes by the name "Knowledge is Sour." Beyond beer, the taproom serves a from-scratch food menu that draws on produce and meat supplied by Aurora Ridge, Cook's family dairy farm. The kitchen closes 30 minutes before the taproom each night. Takeout ordering is available online, and the brewery sells gift cards and branded merchandise including glassware, hats, and apparel.

Swiftwater operates under New York's farm brewery license, meaning a significant portion of its ingredients must come from within the state. Aurora Ridge, the Cook family farm, supplies close to 80 percent of the barley used in their beers, which is then malted by Pioneer Malting less than eight miles from the brewery. The taproom itself reflects this local-first approach — the 70-foot bar and tables were handcrafted from black walnut trees grown on the family farm, and kayaks mounted on the walls nod to Cook's background as a paddling instructor. The brewery also maintains on-site vegetable gardens that supply herbs and produce to the kitchen.

The brewery sits on Mt Hope Ave at the southern edge of Rochester's South Wedge, a walkable neighborhood along the Genesee River corridor that has become a hub for independent shops and restaurants. The taproom offers both indoor and outdoor seating and welcomes large groups and beer tours with advance notice. Swiftwater is open Tuesday through Saturday, with Friday and Saturday hours extending to 11 p.m., and is closed on Monday. Tuesday evenings feature a weekly trivia night starting at 7 p.m.