Flour City Brewers Fest 2025
📍 Rochester Public Market | 🗓 Friday, August 22

New York’s original craft beer celebration is back for its 31st year! The Rochester Public Market serves as the venue for the Flour City Brewers Fest, a one-of-a-kind evening dedicated to raising a glass to the people who power New York State’s craft beverage scene—brewers, bartenders, artists, truck drivers, and most importantly, the fans.

This annual event brings together craft breweries from every region of the state, offering a rare chance to taste the best of New York beer in one iconic location. But it’s more than just beer—Flour City Brewers Fest also celebrates the flavors of New York through local wineries, cideries, farm distilleries, non-alcoholic options, and an incredible variety of food vendors.

Enjoy an unforgettable night filled with:
🍺 Craft beverages from across NYS
🎶 Live music & entertainment
🎯 Games & interactive activities
🛍 Artisan vendors
🍽 Great eats from local food trucks
(Must be 21+ to attend)

NEW in 2025: For the first time, Flour City Brewers Fest will be produced by the New York State Brewers Association! While all the elements you love about the festival remain, this exciting change means even more breweries from around the state—and every ticket helps support NYSBA’s mission to advocate for, promote, and educate on behalf of New York’s craft brewing industry.

Come thirsty. Leave inspired.
#ThinkNYDrinkNY

For further event info, go to the Upstate Beer Tourist’s event profile here.

Need lodging for The Flour City Brewers Fest? Here are some nearby hotels in downtown Rochester. 

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Rochester
390 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14607
1.1 miles from Rochester Public Market
Click here on Upstate Beer Tourist to find other Rochester destinations near Courtyard by Marriott

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa by Double Tree
550 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14607
1.1 miles from Rochester Public Market
Click here on Upstate Beer Tourist to find other Rochester destinations are near The Strathallan Rochester Hotel 

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Rochester
155 E. Main St. 
Rochester, NY 14604
1.8 miles to Rochester Public Market
Click here on Upstate Beer Tourist to find other Rochester destinations are near Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Rochester

Let Upstate Beer Tourist help you locate Rochester breweries located near (less than 3 miles) from the Rochester Public Market

Rohrbach Brewing Company – Beer Hall & Brewery
97 Railroad St. Rochester, NY 14609
.3 miles to Rochester Public Market

The Richmond by Mortalis Brewing
21 Richmond St. Rochester, NY 14607
1 mile to Rochester Public Market

Three Heads Brewing
186 Atlantic Ave. Rochester, NY 14607
1.2 miles to Rochester Public Market

Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. – Rochester
56 S. Union St.  Rochester, NY 14607
1.4 miles to Rochester Public Market

Fairport Brewing Company & Meadery – University Ave.
1044 University Ave.  Rochester, NY 14607
1.6 miles to Rochester Public Market

Strangebird Brewery
62 Marshall St.  Rochester, NY 14607
1.9 miles to Rochester Public Market

Genesee Brew House
25 Cataract St.  Rochester, NY  14605
2.1 miles to Rochester Public Market

Sager-Stoneyard Pub
46 Sager Dr.  Rochester, NY 14607
2.3 miles to Rochester Public Market

Nine Maidens Brewing Company
1344 University Ave. Suite 140  Rochester, NY 14607
2.4 miles to Rochester Public Market

Swiftwater Brewing Company
378 Mount Hope Ave.  Rochester, NY  14620
3 miles to Rochester Public Market

While the Rochester Public Market will be closed for normal operations during the Flour City Brewers Fest, here is more about this community gem in the City of Rochester. 

History & Overview of the Rochester Public Market 

Established in 1905, the Rochester Public Market is located at 280 North Union Street, just northwest of downtown Rochester. A cornerstone of the community for over a century, the market operates year-round with hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 AM–1 PM, and Saturdays from 5 AM–3 PM—with Saturdays being the busiest.

🛒 Vendors & Offerings

With over 300 vendor stalls, the market features a vibrant mix of goods including:

• Local and international produce
• Meat, seafood, and dairy products
• Baked goods, ethnic specialties, and ready-to-eat meals
• Arts, crafts, and general merchandise

The market boasts three covered outdoor sheds and a fully indoor shed, alongside on-site cafés, bakeries, breweries, distilleries, and art studios.

Popular stops include:

• Flour City Bread
• The Pierogi Guy
• Boxcar Donuts
• Rohrbach Brewing Co. at Railroad Grill

🚗 Parking & Access

Visitors have access to five free city-owned lots, including a main lot across Union Street. Additional street parking and paid garage options are nearby. A pedestrian and bike bridge connects the market to the Trinidad/Scio lot for added convenience.

Insider Tip: Weekday visits, especially on Thursdays, offer a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds.

“Thursdays are a great day to go—fewer vendors, but not as busy.” — Local visitor

🎉 Special Events & Community

The market is a hub for community events, hosting over 50 free annual gatherings, including:

• Flower City Days
• Food Truck Rodeos
• Bands on the Bricks
• Community Garage Sales
• Oktoberfest, Halloween, and holiday markets

It also supports community programs like the SNAP Token Program, which allows shoppers using SNAP benefits to access fresh produce with bonus incentives through FreshConnect.

The nonprofit Friends of the Market offers branded merchandise and Market Gift Tokens that can be used at more than 100 vendor stalls.

🍽️ Dining & Atmosphere

The market offers a wide variety of casual fare from in-shed vendors like:

• Railroad Grill
• Juan & Maria’s Empanadas
• Cherry’s European Kitchen

Nearby restaurants like Cure, Velvet Belly, Fiorella, and Public Provisions extend the market experience beyond traditional hours, offering craft cocktails, small plates, and elevated dining options.

The Rochester Public Market is more than just a shopping destination—it’s a vibrant cultural hub where locals, tourists, families, and longtime patrons come together to celebrate community, cuisine, and creativity.

Breweries Pouring at Flour City Brewers Fest 2025
42 North Brewing Company
Abandon Brewing Company
Big Ditch Brewing Company
Big Slide Brewery & Public House
Birdhouse Brewing Co.
Brazen Brewing
Brewery Ardennes
The Brewery at the CIA
Brown’s Brewing Co.
Collage Cellars
DeWolf Brewing Co.
Eastwood Brewing Company
Eckhart Beer Co.
Eli Fish Brewing Co.
Fidens Brewing Co.
Finback
Fleur De Lis
Freight Yard Brewing
Frequentem Brewing Co.
Genesee Brewing Company
Ghostfish Brewing Company
Grow Brewing Co.
Hamburg Brewing Co.
Heritage Hill
Iron Tug Brewing
Ithaca Beer Co.
Johnson’s Landing
Keuka Brewing Co.
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
Lock 32 Brewing Company
Lower Lake Brewery
Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Company
Meier’s Creek Brewing Co.
Mortalis Brewing Co.
Naked Dove Brewing Company
NO BS Brewing Company
Old Klaverack Brewery & Hop Farm
Other Half Brewing Company
Peacemaker Brewing Company
Personal Best
Preservation Beer Company
Prison City Brewing
Reinvention Brewing Co.
Resurgence Brewing Company
Rising Storm Brewing Co.
Rivertrail Beerworks
Rohrback Brewing Company
Round Table Brewery
Runaway Blue Brewing Company
Rusty Nickel Brewing Co.
Sager Beer Works
Saranac Brewing Co.
Singlecut Beersmiths
Solitude Brewing Company
Spotted Octopus Brewing Company
Strangebird
Strong Rope Brewery
Swiftwater Brewing Co.
Talking Cursive Brewing Co.
Underground Beer Lab
Union Street Brewing Co.
Utica Club
Watershed Brewing Company
WeBe Brewing Company
Wild East Brewing Company
Willow Rock Brewing Company

Cider, Wine & Spirits
Blackbird Cider Works
Black Button Distilling
Blue Barn Cidery
Kat Boo Cha
OSB Ciderworks
Right Coast Spirits
Springbrook Farm Distillery
Tree Hugger Hard Cider

About Me.  Upstate Beer Tourist.

My name is Joe. You’ve stumbled upon this website probably because we share a common interest, that being craft beer! For me, it’s about beer, but it’s as much about the hunt. Finding new craft beer and craft beverage destinations across this great country, each one unique in its own right. It’s also about meeting new people, especially those that help produce and serve great craft beverages. While also experiencing the sites, nature and communities around these craft beverage destinations with people you enjoy. So yeah, I’m a beer tourist. Sound familiar?

For me, home is Buffalo, NY. Where I’ve also worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for almost thirty years. Currently on a sabbatical from bartending after my last stint of five years at Rusty Nickel Brewing Company.  I am also a Level I Cicerone Certified Beer Server.

When not working, I’m usually exploring the picturesque Finger Lakes Region of New York State with my wife and three dogs. Searching for new breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries to enjoy and add to our travels. We love the Finger Lakes Region so much, and all that it offers in craft beverages and scenery, that we have a little retreat near Keuka Lake. With the multi award-winning Keuka Brewing Company just down the road, we’ve designated it as our official Finger Lakes home base.  Hence, my self moniker as “The Upstate Beer Tourist.”