Willow Rock Brewing Company

Willow Rock Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in Cicero, New York, in the Syracuse metropolitan area. It was founded in 2015 by Rockney Roberts and Kevin Williams, who began brewing in a garage on Syracuse's North Side before opening a taproom on Black Friday 2015 with eight taps and a food menu written on a napkin. The brewery has since grown to operate two locations—a Cicero taproom and a brewhouse location—with more than 15 rotating taps. Its core offerings include an American Light Lager called Congress and a Blonde Ale called Breakout Blonde, alongside a rotating selection of seasonal and experimental beers. The company also operates a full kitchen, serving hand-stretched, made-to-order pizza and other pub fare. Willow Rock positions itself as a neighborhood gathering place rather than a destination brewery, emphasizing community, local ingredients, and an unpretentious atmosphere. It hosts weekly events including trivia nights, live music, food and drink specials, and BruBag leagues. The brewery sources malt from Central New York farms and uses New York State hops where possible, and it has implemented sustainable practices such as composting spent grain and using renewable energy at both locations. As of its tenth anniversary in 2025, Willow Rock remains independently owned and operated by its founders.

Willow Rock Brewing Company was founded in 2015 by Rockney Roberts and Kevin Williams, who met at a hockey rink in Cicero, New York—one as a young player and the other driving the zamboni. They later became college roommates and spent free time traveling the East Coast exploring craft beer. Inspired by their experiences, they returned to Syracuse with the idea to brew something worth coming back for. They started brewing in a garage on Syracuse's North Side, brewing on weekends and sharing kegs at neighborhood cookouts. Word spread quickly, and on Black Friday 2015, Willow Rock opened its doors with eight taps and a food menu written on a napkin. The brewery expanded over the years, adding a second location and increasing its tap count to more than 15. By 2025, the company celebrated its tenth anniversary, operating two taprooms—one in Cicero and a brewhouse location—and maintaining its original ownership. The original garage now serves as storage for old brew logs and a place for the founders to debate hop varieties.

• 2025

  Celebrated 10th anniversary with two locations and 15+ taps.

• 2015

  Founded by Rockney Roberts and Kevin Williams; opened on Black Friday with 8 taps.

Neighborhood craft brewery and taproom focused on community, local ingredients, and approachable beer styles.

• Congress American Light Lager

  An historic lager recipe updated by modern brewing practices. Light-bodied and approachable. ABV 4.8%.

• Breakout Blonde Blonde Ale

  Pilsner malt and noble hops make this dangerously easy drinking. ABV 5.5%.

1. 1Pizza. Beer. Cicero. | Willow Rock Brewing Companywillowrockbrew.com
2. 2About | Willow Rock Brewing Companywillowrockbrew.com
3. 3Willow Rock Brewing Company - Wikidatawikidata.org