“Absence makes the heart grow
fonder”. This is true for Rochester
native, John, and his relationship with his city. One could only wonder what
makes someone long for his city. Could it be his lovely childhood memories of
his youth? Could it be the friendly people that makes this city so wonderful?
Would the four changing seasons play a part? What about the close proximity to
some of the most beautiful lakes in the region? Or the area’s appreciation of
food and agricultural life with things like the Culinary Institute of Arts and
the public market?
These are all the things that
John holds dearly in his heart as he travels the world. With a corporate job
that makes it possible to live in other American cities, and countries. His
eyes have opened to the beauty of the world yet nothing can compare to the place
Rochester has in his heart. As the time approaches for him to start his own
family, there isn’t a doubt in mind that he wants to return to the one place
that has captured his heart, Rochester, NY.
Upon his return, something
has changed. His desire to be in charge of his own schedule and his love for
this city outweighs the stability of a cooperate job. He takes a leap of
faith and jumps right in not knowing all the details of his future. With his
wife’s full support, he spends 2 years working in a local Rochester restaurant
to learn everything he can about the business. In those 2 years, he hashes out a
business plan that is now known as Rohrbach Brewery Company and Rohrbach's Brewpub.
Rohrbach gets its name from a
local German town that John has lived in during his time abroad. With the microbrewery
and restaurant starting up about the same time, John has to wear multiple hats
to make it work. From trying different recipes to coming up with the perfect
recipes that will appeal to his taste buds and the customers. With all the
different types of beers, John wants to have great food to pair with his beer. To make sure the restaurant is running, he works in the kitchen, the door, and
wherever is needed.John is all in to make this a success in Rochester.
His love for Rochester is so
much more than just living in Rochester but creating a product and a brand that
is strictly Rochester. His heart and plan for Rohrbach have always been to be a
local thing. His goal for this brand isn’t to become a big and powerful company
but one that is local and has roots. For him, it’s about quality and not
quantity. Though he has accounts in neighboring cities, most of his accounts
are in Rochester. He enjoys the pace that his brand is growing.
His love for Rochester is so
much more than just living in Rochester but creating a product and a brand that
is strictly Rochester. His heart and plan for Rohrbach have always been to be a
local thing. His goal for this brand isn’t to become a big and powerful company
but one that is local and has roots. For him, it’s about quality and not
quantity. Though he has accounts in neighboring cities, most of his accounts
are in Rochester. He enjoys the pace that his brand is growing.
Besides selling great beer
products and food, John is a man of the people. He appreciates all his staff
and customers. The restaurant is like a scene out of Cheers, “Sometimes you
want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came”. Many of his
staff has worked for him for many years and they are very close. He knows a lot of his customers by
their first name. It’s a place where people go and relax with great food, and
good beer. There are stories of people getting engaged or students coming
home from college and wanting a family dinner there. The restaurant is so
infused with the community that, often an elderly man brings in a peanut
butter pie for the staff. Weeks before he has passed away, they ask for the
recipe and now it is part of the Rohrbach’s menu.
John does not only have a
heart for the people of this city but a heart for learning and growing. He goes
beyond the 4 walls of his businesses and meet with other brewers and restaurant
owners. To learn from them and to share ideas. He’s not afraid of competition
because he is secure in the uniqueness and quality of his products. Even with
tough state and federal regulations, he wants to do everything in his power to provide the best service and quality for the people of this city.
All in all, John's heart is for the people of Rochester. He takes everything he has learned throughout the years of working and traveling the world, to give this city a unique blend of flavors and experiences. There is only one Rohrbach Brewing Company and Rohrbach's Brewpub in the world and we have the honor of having them in our city.
Rohrbach Brewing Company
97 Railroad St
Rochester, NY 14609
(585) 546-8020
http://www.rohrbachs.com
Rohrbach's Brewpub
3859 Buffalo Rd
Rochester, NY 14624
(585) 594-9800
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