Flow & the Spotted Octopus: A Brewery Tale
There is nothing like a perfect pairing of a toasty brew and a warm meal when a cold winter strikes. Recently, I’ve found the best way to satisfy this craving is by visiting the delightful crew at Spotted Octopus Brewing Co., an octopus-themed brewery occupying the former Roc Brewing space at 56 Union St. in downtown Rochester.
Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. was founded in Buffalo, New York, and opened its second location in Rochester in March 2025. This opening brought joy to those who had long awaited the new brewery. The closure of Roc Brewing left a void in the East End community. For many, it was the end of an era that few were ready for. If you’ve had the pleasure of tasting the Spotted Octopus’ craft brews, then you are aware of the quality and creativity that goes into each fresh new batch.
A rich and toasty pint brewed by Spotted Octopus Brewing Co., operating out of both Buffalo and Rochester, New York.
Regionally, you can find some high-quality craft beers made with fresh ingredients produced in New York State, so it goes without saying that there are many breweries worth exploring in the Finger Lakes and across Western New York. Undoubtedly, Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. should be on your list to check out if you’re a fan of good quality breweries. One of my priorities in scouting out a brewery I am visiting is checking their beer list to see what’s on tap.
A few seasonal favorites that have really made for an interesting winter are their new Hef the Copper Dragon, an unfiltered Amber Hefeweizen, Creation, a mellow Czech-Style Amber Lager made with NY State Saaz hops, and the Octopus Ink, a light-bodied Schwarzbier with hints of chocolate and coffee. This is truly a delightful tap list worth raving about.
A 10-piece order of traditional buffalo wings from Flow, a kitchen operating at the Spotted Octopus in Rochester, NY.
The San Francisco Meat, a burger made to pay homage to SF and Super Bowl LX.
Every great brewery I’ve visited has offered a taste of the local cuisine; some places feature a food truck, and others have a kitchen with a rotating menu. The Spotted Octopus has Flow, a food kitchen inside the brewery, conjuring up some powerfully flavorful and creative dishes to pair with the craft brews.
There are some creative minds at Flow, as each week they offer a new special burger. For instance, during Super Bowl LX, they served up a special that paid homage to San Francisco and the Bay Area. Uniquely, this burger featured sourdough bread, Monterey Jack cheese, a seasoned patty, a sliced tomato, avocado crema, and was topped with a housemade Louis dressing. It was sensational. You can visit the Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, but keep in mind that Flow’s kitchen is closed on Mondays. They have some great happy hours and run trivia nights on Thursdays from 7-9 pm.
Grab a friend, maybe a trivia team, and visit. Cheers!
