No hate Wiz, I love the Bird. And for damn good reason…
But this rivalry* runs deep. No shade—I love my Pizza Wizard too—but Strangebird brews one of my favorite West Coast IPAs I’ve ever had.
*A minute for the rivalry. Those who follow both establishments on IG know, somethin is going on here—there’s beef—and I want in! What is the backstory?! Is this all some elaborate, brilliant marketing stunt to keep the locals interested? Is this a classic case of she said, he said? Is this even real? All I know is there’s a life-size foamed-up Wizard wreaking havoc on the Bird. There’s been name-calling, stealing, cheating, but why?! What is this hatred? What is the deep-rooted animosity?
I have chosen no side. This gal has equal love for both. Give me a Detroit-style, thick-crust, ricotta-pep-loaded pie from the Wiz, and I’m in heaven. But sit me down with the Bird’s chill vibes, a crisp IPA, and those perfectly golden, rosemary-laced fries? My other heaven. If you didn’t know already, I’m a Libra—the scales—so to me, both sides are equally balanced.
But I digress. Back to the Bird.
Labor Day Weekend. I first visited the Genesee Country Village & Museum for their Brew Hops Fest. I don’t think I’ve been here since my fourth grade field trip, but let me tell you, if you too haven’t been here since before your pre-teen years, you need to go… now. And actually, fall is the perfect time to go. Pay close attention to their event schedule, there’s some spooky events to put you in the Halloween spirit. Whether you have kids or not—it’s so much fun to be out in nature, walking through the gardens, the farms, the houses built in the 1800s… it’s like you’re living in the movie The Village but without your scary mongrels lurking to wreak havoc.
Spending a few hours walking, laying out on a blanket and sipping a beer only led to our urge to continue the pleasantries of sipping craft beers and thriving in the sun. Hence—our want to hit up the Bird. And because it wasn’t too hot, I had a hankering for something crafty.
Introducing the Winnebago Warrior. The elite West Coast IPA. Shout out to Ellyn for bringing it back on their draft menu, which changes sporadically.
For my less-inclined craft mongrels, this style of IPA is a rare gem to find around these parts (in Rochester and the east coast states). Crisp. Hopped. Clean. None of that hazy, milkshakey, thick, fruity, can’t-see-through-my-glass nonsense that craft beer heads are obsessed with these days. I just want a classic, no-frills, hop-kissed IPA that doesn’t look like it was poured from a can of orange juice.
Winne: She is indeed a warrior. She’s bold, bitter, crisp, clear(er), balanced, with a dank hop. She reminds you that beer is, in fact, beer while also not being too watered down like your quintessential light beers. And trust me, I too like my light beers—Genny Light, Miller Light, etc.—but when the autumn weather begins to stir, nothing hits better than a craft.
Winne’s match up? The East Coast IPA, and he’s a bro: He’s hazy, juicy, tropical, slurpy. He’s smooth, typically less bitter, and leans more fruit-forward than hop-heavy. Tbh—I don’t really get the hype of him. And frankly, I think Winne can take him all day.
At the Bird, you can find both warrior and bro-types. They play into the appeal and palettes of most craftys—west and east IPAs, lagers, wheats, sours; you name it, they probably got it—and they also have a great selection of other choices besides beer. They serve liquor of many varieties for my craftlessly inclined friends who still can’t shake their vodka soda era. I too have switched from beer and gotten a whiskey neat. I was on a date and it was a great spot for a night cap before migrating back to my apartment. Ya feel me?
It really is the all-around perfect spot—ready to match whatever mood you’re in. Solo? Grab a book or your laptop, enjoy a beer (or several), and vibe with the friendly birds perched next to you at the bar. First date? You can mix and match between beer, wine, liquor, or something non-alcoholic, all in an atmosphere that’s relaxed enough to keep things casual and fun. With a crew? Stand by the bar, claim a high-top, mingle outside, or snag a table—whatever feels right. It’s chill, effortless, and somehow just works for everything. Hungry? You’re in luck. The specials rotate all week, and their menu isn’t just “bar food”—I can’t even call it “elevated bar food.” They are crave-worthy dishes that demand your attention. A restaurant that delights in every bite—you just can’t pass it up.
This is the perfect segway. Let’s talk about the rosemary fries. Thicker cut, they come out steaming hot with no sog. They aren’t overly salted but rosemary dusted, and paired with a beautifully blended aioli as your dunker. It’s bomb. Affordable. Untouchable. And Winner of Best Fries in Rochester 2024. Pair it with the smash burger and you’ve unlocked the ultimate adult happy meal—crispy, golden, pure bliss. The rest of their menu offers a sensational and satisfying mix of pizzas, sandwiches, not-so-ordinary salads, chicken wings, and things of that nature.
Think of this brewery-meets-bar-meets-restaurant as the ultimate landing spot—the supreme cable cord where all the cool, strange, interesting, friendly birds flock. It’s the place where there’s truly room for everyone. So fly on by—every bird is welcome.
Don’t ever change, baby Bird.
