Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published August 23, 2018.

Where are you originally from? How did you end up in Rochester at this time in your life?

I grew up in Irondequoit. I attended the University of Montana for my undergrad, where I studied journalism, then went to the University of Maine for grad school, where I received a Master’s in English. I finished up there in 2007 at age 23, and I really wasn’t sure what to do with myself. That’s when I decided to move home to Rochester, where my family who loves and supports me lives. I taught English at Genesee Community College for awhile and subbed in West Irondequoit schools before I ended up in journalism.

What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?

I love the variety we have in Rochester, particularly of people. As a journalist, I’m basically a professional people watcher. Telling stories that people actually read keeps me motivated.

What are some of your favorite/secret Rochester spots? 

One of my favorite town parks is Bateau Beach in the White City neighborhood. It’s at the end of this little street, with a park and playground. My dogs can go romp in the lake. It’s right by our house, and we have lots of family in that area too.

Bar-wise, Acme is my all-time favorite. I go there all the time because it’s a classic dive bar with great beer selection. I like Joey’s too, for the same reason. The owners are quiet and unassuming, and they have a nice patio and pool table. Tap and Mallet is my go-to when I want to feel fancy and drink cool beer.

What are some of the most unique events you've attended in Rochester? 

The beer festivals. We have three fantastic ones:

• Homegrown, which takes place at Lovin’ Cup in January each year. Three Heads helps put it on. There’s cool food, fun beer, and it takes place outside in a big heated tent in the middle of winter. It feels like a big family reunion.
• Rochester Real Beer Expo, which takes place in June in the South Wedge. This is organized by the Tap and Mallet folks plus the Business Association of the South Wedge Area. They have the best tap list, including lots of crazy beers you’ll likely never see in this area again. It’s always fun to hang out with other beer nerds.
• Flower City Brewers Fest at the Public Market in August is another good one. It’s organized by the New York State Brewers Association and Rohrbach’s. It’s a cool chance to sample some beers from smaller breweries that are further away. Plus, the Public Market is the best venue for a festival.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support? 

The past few years, the D&C has participated in the Garden Battles at the Lilac Festival, competing with other local media teams. This year, we supported the Healthy Baby Network and had $500 donated to the cause based on our snagging second place.

If you’re not familiar with this annual competition, the first Saturday of every Lilac Festival, they offer up 10x10 plots of soil with plants and trees, and give you one hour to construct a garden. Then, visitors can vote on their favorite via ballot boxes for a week. The winners receive donations in various amounts to the charities of their choice. The last two years, we’ve made beer-themed gardens. It’s a lot of fun!

If you had $100 and two hours to kill in Rochester, what would you do? 

I’d go on a little brewery tour within city limits, like Fifth Frame, Roc Brewing, and maybe the Old Toad. There’s still a lot of work to be done to make Rochester more walkable, but we’re on our way. And if you’re wondering how many breweries we have within city limits, by my current count, it’ll be 10 by the end of the month, and 25 in Monroe County.

What's your favorite neighborhood in the city? 

I love Swillburg--it’s got character. My mother and grandmother both grew up in the 19th Ward, so I appreciate that area as well.

Also, Charlotte has some great stuff. I’ll fight to the death over Windjammers. Their dollar beer shelf is the best. You could get a Stella or a 6 month old IPA--you never know! They have the best bar food too.

What's the best place to get a garbage plate? 

Dogtown. Anyone who says anything other than Dogtown is wrong. You can’t beat their homefries.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather? 

I try to find the beauty in anything. I do that at the crime scenes I’m reporting from too, whether it’s catching a sunset or seeing a beautiful house. The gray can wear you down, but you just deal with it.

What makes Rochester unique?

Our people. We have an awesome variety, this melange, this cool blend of people who’ve come here and love the area as much as Rochester natives and those who have lived here all their lives. I love that you can find something cool every day, at places like the George Eastman Museum, Eastman Theatre, or the Dryden, just to name a few. If you say there’s nothing to do in Rochester, you’re not looking.

What do you think could be improved?

We have a lot to work on. There’s institutional and structural racism, and our community is very segregated. People are facing generational poverty, and our schools are failing kids. Until we address those issues, violence and crime will continue.

If Rochester was a food, what would it be? 

I’m going to borrow from my colleague Tracy Schuhmacher and use something she once called me: an artisanal hotdog. First, let me get something out of the way: if someone is from Rochester and doesn’t like Zweigle’s, punch them. Anyways, Rochester would be an artisanal hotdog because there are a variety of ways you could prepare one: with meat from McCann’s or Swan Market, and a plethora of cool toppings.

There! I don’t just think about beer.

Did you always want to be a beer writer? How did you end up writing about beer (and crime)? 

I thought I was going to be a teacher. I’m now approaching 10 years at the Democrat & Chronicle. My first five years there were spent as a sports writer. I briefly moved to Ithaca and worked there for about 9 months before getting laid off. I returned to the D&C, and my first beer story was published June 1, 2014. I had an editor who really believed in me, and she advocated for me to start working on late night reporting, so I started doing that about three years ago. My job now is about 90% crime and 10% beer, and I love it. I never thought this would be my path.

What's up with the Flower City Brewing sign by ArtisanWorks?

There was a brewery by that name in the ‘90s that wasn’t open very long. They closed quickly, and ArtisanWorks dug the sign and bought it. The brewery wasn’t actually located on that site.

What are your favorite Rochester beers of the moment?

• Genny Light -- Always and forever in my fridge. If I’m not the top drinker of Genny Light in Monroe County, then I’m at least in the top five.
• Any of the hoppy beers and lagers at Fifth Frame.
• Lost Borough Brewing’s Live and Let Lager

Are there any non-local breweries that you're a huge fan of that you wish would come to Rochester?

If you’d asked me awhile back, I would have said Other Half. I’m still floored that they’re coming to Rochester! It’s insane to me that this Brooklyn-based brewery has chosen the old Nedloh site in East Bloomfield to open up another location.

I’d love to see more Prison City beer in Rochester. I also love Bellwoods, which is up in Toronto. I drive up there every 5-6 weeks to restock my beer fridge.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get more into beer?

I recommend starting with something light, like a lager or a pilsner, or maybe a nice blonde ale or a kolsch. That’ll be your gateway. Ask lots of questions! There are plenty of great Facebook groups out there, or you can always send me an email. I’m happy to answer questions. Most local breweries have non-craft beer options too that can get you started. Talk to folks there, too. You can get the recommendations of the people making the beer!