Innovation has long been a cornerstone of Greater Rochester, widely known for industries like print technology, optics and manufacturing. But in savvy food-and-bev circles, the region has earned recognition for our growing number of experimental microbreweries and deliciously diverse craft beers. In fact, with close to 50 breweries in Monroe, Livingston and Ontario counties, we established a taste for craft beer long before it became mainstream.
Swiftwater Brewing Company, located in the City of Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood, is among the batch of innovators brewing unique beers with a nod to the local culture. Because Greater ROC celebrates all things distinctive to our region, we leveraged the idea of a Swiftwater-Greater ROC collaboration to create a beer that embodies the spirit of home. The flavorful result: Makin’ Waves hazy pale ale, made from fresh, seasonal ingredients grown by the local farming community.
“Makin’ Waves is a salute to Greater ROC that is brilliant yet smooth, hazy as a 585 spring afternoon and as easy to drink as it is to live here.” —Ana Liss
In an article on the beer’s launch, Will Cleveland, founder of the WNY beer newsletter Cleveland Prost, said “Makin’ Waves is every bit as soft as your favorite Nerf football and is hopped with Nectaron, Mosaic and Citra hops to supply a symphony of all those tropical fruit flavors you’ve come to crave in your New England-style beers.”
Swiftwater owner Andy Cook explained, “We wanted something easy-drinking, but still flavorful and hoppy. And we wanted to use it as a way to promote [Greater ROC’s] mission, which is to help spread the word that Rochester is a pretty cool place.”
Ana Liss, Director of Planning and Development for Monroe County, tweeted: “Makin’ Waves is a salute to Greater ROC that is brilliant yet smooth, hazy as a 585 spring afternoon and as easy to drink as it is to live here.”
You can find more info on this special-edition APA on the Untappd beer-focused app, try it at Swiftwater’s taproom and buy it at select Rochester-area Wegmans.