In a festive upset that has brewmasters and holiday enthusiasts toasting alike, the Genesee Brewing Company’s iconic Keg Tree has been crowned Newsweek’s #1 Readers’ Choice Best Christmas Tree for 2025. Outshining giants like New York City’s Rockefeller Center tree and the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., this three-story marvel—crafted from over 650 empty beer kegs and draped in 25,000 twinkling lights—proves that sometimes the best holiday spirit comes straight from the tap.
The announcement, revealed on November 25, 2025, capped a whirlwind voting period that saw the quirky Rochester tradition rack up thousands of votes from fans across the country. Nominated alongside 14 other iconic displays in Newsweek’s annual Readers’ Choice awards, the Keg Tree surged to the top, earning its stainless-steel branches a spot in holiday history.
“This win is a testament to the creativity and community spirit that defines Rochester,” said Tiffany Bowman, Genesee Brand Manager, in a statement from the brewery. “From our hardworking team stacking those kegs to the fans who lit up the polls, it’s all about celebrating the joy of the season in true Genny style.”
A Tradition Born from Empty Kegs and Holiday Cheer
The Keg Christmas Tree’s origins trace back to 2014, when Genesee Brewery—New York’s oldest, founded in 1878—decided to give its empty kegs a second life as a seasonal centerpiece. Perched beside the roaring High Falls, the largest urban waterfall in the U.S., the structure has grown taller and brighter each year. This season’s edition stands at an impressive three stories, assembled by the brewery’s dedicated union carpenters and illuminated with enough LED lights to rival a small constellation.
What started as a local marketing gimmick has evolved into a beloved rite of winter in the Flower City. Thousands flock annually to the Genesee Brew House at 25 Cataract St. for the lighting ceremony, where the air fills with the scent of food trucks, the sound of holiday tunes, and the clink of cold Genesee Cream Ale pours.
Crowning Glory: The Lighting Event and Special Celebrations
The victory couldn’t have come at a better time—just days before the 10th annual Keg Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5, 2025. The event drew record crowds from 5 to 9 p.m., with the official countdown kicking off at 7 p.m. under the emcee-ship of Brewmaster Dean Jones. Attendees sipped seasonal brews like the Keg Tree Cinnamon Ale, munched on grub from local vendors, and posed for photos in oversized sleighs and festive igloos handcrafted on-site.
Adding a sweet twist to the sudsy spectacle, Genesee partnered with Rochester’s Donuts Delite for the debut of “Keg Tree Fonuts”—honey bun donuts infused with the brewery’s cinnamon ale. Available through December 5 at the Brew House and the bakery on Culver Road, a portion of proceeds benefited the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.
Carl Falk, General Manager of Genesee Brewery, beamed with local pride during the festivities. “We’re a Rochester company through and through,” he told local media. “This keg tree isn’t just lights and kegs—it’s generations of hard work and the people who make our city sparkle.”
National Spotlight on a Local Legend
The Keg Tree’s path to national acclaim wasn’t without competition. Newsweek’s contest featured heavy hitters, including the 75-foot Norway spruce from upstate New York at Rockefeller Center (which landed at #5). Yet voters gravitated toward the Keg Tree’s unique blend of whimsy and warmth, with social media buzzing under #GennyKegTree and shares from coast to coast.
USA Today also gave a nod earlier in the season, nominating it for Best Holiday Lights Display. As the tree remains lit through the holidays—visible nightly against the misty backdrop of High Falls—it continues to draw visitors, who are encouraged to tag @GeneseeBrewery for a chance at shoutouts.
For those who missed the lighting, the display is free to view, though ride-sharing is recommended due to limited parking. Head to the High Falls Garage at 262 State St. for the easiest access.
Raising a Glass to Rochester’s Holiday Heart
In an era of cookie-cutter celebrations, the Genesee Keg Tree stands as a reminder that the holidays are best when they’re a little offbeat. Owned by FIFCO USA, the brewery not only brews classics like Genesee Cream Ale and Honey Brown Lager but also fosters traditions that unite communities. This year’s win underscores a simple truth: sometimes, the most memorable trees aren’t grown in forests—they’re built from the empties of good times shared.
As Rochester twinkles on, one keg at a time, Genesee invites all to join the cheer. After all, in the words of the brewery: “O Genesee Keg Tree! O Genesee Keg Tree! How lovely are thy branches.”
Genesee Brewery
Nestled along the Genesee River in Rochester, New York, Genesee Brewery has been cranking out cold ones since 1878, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the U.S. These guys basically invented the “dad beer” category long before it was cool – we’re talking crisp, no-nonsense lagers that taste like summer cookouts and Friday nights on the porch. Their flagship Genesee Beer (or “Genny” to the locals) and the iconic Genny Light are still brewed with the same pride that turned Rochester into a beer town back when your great-grandpa was rocking handlebar mustaches and suspenders.
But the real party trick? The legendary Genesee Cream Ale – smooth, slightly sweet, and dangerously drinkable, it’s the beer that makes Buffalo wings taste even better and has been confusing beer nerds for decades because yes, it’s an ale that drinks like a lager. Swing by the brewhouse today and you can take a tour, crush a few samples, and snap a selfie with the famous “Genny horse” Clydesdales if they’re in town. Cheap, cheerful, and 100% Rochester – Genesee is proof that sometimes the best things in life come in a green can with a screaming horse on it. Cheers to 145+ years of keeping it real! Website: https://www.geneseebeer.com/
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