Roc Brewing Co

I thought a few weeks ago «Man, it has literally been years since I’ve came here». So I fixed that, and was blown away. Delicious porters for the winter, friendly and helpful staff, and a really unique and fun space. I’ve already been back a week later!

Minimalistic décor not very warm but modern. Very small. The bartenders could have had a little more spunk. They kind of seemed slightly miserable. I really liked the Oatmeal Stout for sure! The menu looked really interesting as well. They seemed to have a lot of unique items.

I love this place. A few weekends ago I tried my best to strong-​arm my friends into coming here and was unsuccessful. I have been bitter ever since, and so this past Saturday after dinner I took my friends hostage and firmly demanded (like a toddler) that we try Roc Brewing.
There’s a parking lot behind the building with a good amount of spots available. We got some of the last few when we pulled in around 10 PM.
When you walk into the place you’ll notice that they have a medley of games on a shelf by the door. Genius move. One of those games is catchphrase. Catchphrase is maybe the only game that gets people more riled up and violent than Monopoly. I COULDN’T wait to play it with a good beer-​buzz.
The bartenders are the next thing you’ll notice after all the awesome games. They’re cool, very friendly, and didn’t look at me sideways as I was muttering to myself about Tot-​Waffles under my breath. They just politely handed me a menu.
Blinded by my desire for waffle-​pressed-​tater-​tots, I didn’t even bother to look at the rest of the menu. Sorry, everyone. Rookie move. We ordered the ROC Tot-​waffle and the Poutine Tot-​waffle. I preferred the poutine just a little, but they were both great bar food.
The Mocha Porter is something I wish I could have for breakfast (or bathe in). Excellent beer, excellent coffee flavor. I had two; next time I’m bringing a bucket with a straw and will just ask them to fill that. Definitely one to try if you like dark beers.
I noticed they have a mug club and trivia night too. All about that Wednesday trivia night.
Lastly, the space ROC Brewing is located in is really beautiful. Wooden tables and chairs, a large bar, and the entrance wall is just floor to ceiling windows. I’m going to be a bum here for sure during the summer months. Happy to say that we all really enjoyed our visit here, and that I shouldn’t have trouble getting my friends here in the future.
(and because I know you’re all wondering; Catchphrase was a success and there was much shouting and we only ended up throwing it across the room [by accident] once.)

Excellent beer, great service and fun games to play. Very much enjoyed our time here.

Roc Brewing Co is very straight forward brewery. There really isn’t much to see here. Simply enter and you’re practically at the bar. What makes Roc Brewing special is some of the most amazing beer produced in the Rochester area. My personal favorite brew is the Brassy Pants, an amazing Belgian strong ale. Also of note is the Mocha Porter with a strong coffee and chocolate flavor. Service-​wise the bartenders are friendly and offer good recommendations. You can’t buy bottles here but they fill both 32oz and 64oz growlers. A must for the beer lover visiting Rochester.

Great atmosphere! Ordered a flight and all of the beers were okay, but not my favorite. All tasted bitter with little flavor depth. Wanted to order food but saw the portions associated with the prices and decided against spending the money for so little. Loved the mini shuffle board table and the décor/​layout. Very clean environment with friendly staff.

Very impressive beers! My husband and I are very much self proclaimed beer snobs and live in NC now, but we were so glad our family suggested we try Roc while in town. The double IPA and mocha porter were spot on. Everything else was a solid example of the style, a few with a little somethin extra (a dry hopped red ale for example). We didn’t eat there, but the menu looked perfectly delicious– variations of tater tot waffles and Naan pizza. Again, just a little twist on what you’d normally get at a bar. We were there early evening on a Saturday and there were about 15 people, but I can see it getting crowded much past that as the tap room is on the smaller side.

I am a huge fan of porters and this place had two lovely ones — pumpkin and mocha. All the beers were on the flight were great and the staff were friendly and welcoming.

Great pumpkin porter beer! Owner invited us in served us talked about his story. I look forward to trying his beers again!

My wife loves the beers here! The IPA’s are good and the Ugly Sweater is great –only served in winter!

Chris and his gang have got it down. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The beer is delicious. They tend to make most of their stuff now (Summer 2015) on the stronger end, with a few higher gravity beers, so be prepared to have a designated driver. The atmosphere has a great semi-​industrial space to it, and there’s plenty of room, even though it looks small.

Roc Brewing Company is awesome! I’d actually not been there before until something like Thursday or Friday night last week and it is local microbrewing at its best. It may be nestled away on that awkward side of Union St. that most people don’t pay that much attention to, but once you find this gem, you’ll sure-​as-​heck be singing its praises.
It’s private, intimate, and the owner (if not just the bartender? Couldn’t quite tell) is super nice and informative about everything they’ve got brewing in the back. For $ 8.50, you can get a flight of 7 quarter pints of everything they have on draught and man, it is a steal. Personally, my favorite drink of the night was the barrel-​aged double chocolate coffee porter, but let’s be real for a second here — coffee stouts are God’s gift to man and couldn’t possibly ever disappoint anyone. They even said some of it was taken downstate for judging, so here’s hoping it wins some awards and they brew up some more!
All in all, a fantastic local bar that’s not overwhelmed with drunken, loud college students that always has room for one more and a game of shuffleboard on some fine, fine wooden furniture. Parking may be a bit of a pain, but it’s totally worth the trek!

Where would I be without the Roc Brewing Co. in my life? It does not get more local than this for craft beers. The best part about it, is that its located right here in downtown Rochester. Roc City Brewing is also a proud supporter of many events around the Rochester area, including Unilocal!When I see a pitcher of beer with the Roc Brewing Co label on it, I melt to pieces with excitement. The place itself is wonderfully put together, with HUGE windows giving you an incredible view of downtown Rochester. I just enjoy starring out the window, while sipping down my craft beer. There are a variety of tables in and around the place, including the back area by the brewery. The bar is a full wrap around, giving you plenty of space to pick out your craft beer. The brewery itself was clean and organized, including a row of stainless steal ferments. One of the workers gave me a personnel tour of how the beer operation works there. This was a nice gesture, after seeing the movie about beer hops at The Little.
We celebrated this evening at Roc City Brewing as part of the Rochester Young Professionals Post Screen Party for the Greentopia Festival. This included the brewery putting on a trivia night in relation to all things Rochester and «Green». Our dynamic team won the trivia night, and were honored with free passes to the Greentopia Closing Night Party at Hart’s Grocers. The Craft beers I tried out were The Andromeda, and the Golden Pale Ale. The Andromeda was a molten dark beer with chocolate flavors. It really felt like I was blasting off into space with every sip. The Golden Pale Ale was a light contrast, which tasted smooth to perfection. The craft beers here are addicting… I wanted to try them ALL (GO for the beer flight option)!!! The brewery also put out ton’s of chips/​snacks for us to munch on between beer refills.
Overall: Great Atmosphere/​Views, Local Community Supporter, Tasty Craft Beers, The Brewery itself, and of course Trivia Night on Wed… I will be back!

Want a tasty craft beer? All local? This is where you want to go. They have their standard 4 (dark & mild, yum!)drafts & several rotating options.
Have you ever had a beer brewed with jalapeños? No? It’s awesome. Look for burn.
Chocolate goodness — mocha porter.
Red nutz is a nice winter blend too.
Wednesday night trivia is low key & lots of fun! Win free beer!
Now serving tater tot waffles for a little snack.

Solid newer brewery. Feels like a combination art gallery/​microbrewery. The staff there is very friendly and chill. They answered all of my beer questions with genuine interest and made solid recommendations. The actual beers were hit or miss but I can tell they’re experimenting and trying to come up with some unique and flavorful brews. Get a flight and sample them all. Seating is limited but they seem to draw a fun, friendly crowd (we walked in on a Best Beard contest when we arrived). We had a good time.

If you see the Belgian Blonde on the menu… do not just order and drink her. Treat her right, enjoy and savor her because she is a hot commodity! Patiently waiting until she is back.

Went here for the TEDx Rochester Salon. This was my first time here since we moved back from Brooklyn and will not be the last time. The owners were very friendly and welcoming into their business (Take notes other businesses). You could tell they cared about their business and the community thats around it.
Inside, very well done. Very clean, modern and has rotating art on the walls, which is always a good touch in my book. Outside, appearance is everything and they have that going on for them. The one great attribute is the ability to see part of the city skyline from the vast windows. Haven’t been yet for a sunset beer, but its on my list to do when the sky is giving a color show.
Beers, these guys obviously know what they are doing and love to talk about how they achieved each and every beer. Makes for great bar conversation.
Food, is ehhhh… Not their specialty. Its sub par at best and a bit over priced for what you get.
Its a great place to ride your bicycle to, if you live within the city. They have bicycle racks out front and was told they are working on getting more. Parking for a car is a bit tricky on the street, there is a lot in the rear of the building.

I’ve been frequenting Roc Brewing lately and very much enjoying my visits.
The space has an industrial feel because of the high ceilings, exposed lighting, and cement floors. It’s quite charming and I love the floor-​to-​ceiling windows on the front of the building. I’m realizing now that I only go during the warmer months. It’s a summer spot for me.
I’ve been for several events — trivia (we won! Your team gets free beer and three chances to win), young professional gatherings, and I think a soul night. Great space for a party.
The beer is good, but that’s surprisingly not what brings me back. I’ve tried many different kinds and haven’t found anything I love. I go for the environment and people.
No food offerings, but sometimes there are food trucks outside. If not, walk over to Skylark and bring back some meatballs. They don’t mind if you eat takeout there.

One of the great spots in Rochester to go for an after work drink or on a free Weds. night. You can’t miss this place if you’re driving down Union — the front of the building is full glass — gorgeous! And you feel pretty badass opening the door — it’s about 11 ft. tall. It’s like a castle door, except you walk into your neighborhood friendly bar with stained wood bar and tables, and smiling bartenders to greet you.
I prefer their beer flight option since you get a sampling of everything. On my most recent visit, my top picks were the Dark Mild (toasty and stout-​like with just a hint of coffee), Cullinan’s Revival (Irish red ale) and the new Cadejo Blanco (light & crisp — will be my go-​to summer beer).
They often have Marty’s Meats and Le Petit Poutine out front for those beer-​induced munchies. I keep tabs via Facebook & Twitter. When the trucks aren’t there bring in some takeout or walk down to Skylark for some meatballs :)
They have an app too — shows what’s on tap, including ABV % and flavor profile for each beer. Quite handy.
Chris said they’re working on getting a patio out front, which would be stellar during the summer months. Looking forward to that eventually!

A beautiful building with a great theme: a slice of vintage greenery in the concrete city. From the outside it looks more like a greenhouse or conservatory than a brewery tasting room. The industrial vibe and retro font/​logo are cool. The owners are also very cool. They’re proud of their products and happy to be a local independent business downtown. Prices aren’t bad, either.
The beers (in my opinion) are a bit hit or miss with the IPAs not having enough full hoppy flavor and the darker beers having an overmalted/​caramel after taste. I do enjoy the Belgian Blonde. Dark Mild not so much. I’ve still got to head here a few more times to suss out my faves — haven’t found one I’d drink regularly yet, but that’s what repeat visits are for. Check it out and get a flight!