It’s interesting how trends in this country trickle down from huge cities such as New York City to a midsize metropolis like Pittsburgh (which seems to get trends about a year later) and finally to small cities with a handful of high-rises. In my hometown of Rochester, New York, where craft brewing has just started to really take hold, CB Brewing Company has been bucking the trend and rockin’ out some amazing craft beers since 1997.

CB Brewing Company did not take the typical path to craft excellence – by brewing good beer and hoping others drink it. CB made themselves impossible to ignore. When Mike Alcorn moved to Rochester after living all over the country, he found himself disappointed by the lack of truly great beer and started what has become one of Rochester’s most prominent brewhouses. So, how does a man come into a city unfamiliar with craft beer and push his way in? By walking into Hogan’s Hideaway, a favorite ROC joint, and proposing this: you guarantee me one of your tap handles, and we will work together to create a beer that you are proud to put your name on. Today, CB Brewing Company has 35 contracts from the Finger Lakes to Buffalo, along with a few signature beers under their own name.

In 2008, CB Brewing Company moved into their current home, a beautiful barn in Honeoye Falls with a 10-barrel system, a tasting room, and (recently) a pub. In the barn, they are “more with nature and the community,” making the craft beer experience accessible and familiar. CB is so involved in the community that the town of Mendon asked them to brew a special beer for their Bicentennial. But they didn’t stop at making a simple beer – they found that Mendon used to be known for Cluster hops and created a beautiful piece of Western New York history in a cup. But wait, they get even more awesome!

The thing about CB that blew me away was that, in addition to their contracts and the brewing they do for their own label, they have a program called “flip-a-tap.” Bars and restaurants that subscribe to this program are sent experimental one-offs. The beers have a 6-week turnover and are never recreated. This way, craft beer adventurers always have something new and unique that will keep them coming back for more. “Everyday is a wild experiment” and Rochestarians love it.

CB Brewing Company is based on a simple concept: brew great beer for great places and let the locals happen upon beer enlightenment. They’ve taken this vision and run with it, embracing a place that has embraced them right back. I’d love to see something like this come to more places, offering beer that is community-driven and created with real care. Here’s to the art of contract brewing. Cheers CB Brewing Company, keep it up!