ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A new collaborative brew from the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Rochester-based Three Heads Brewery is called the “Rochester PILSharmonic,” and it is naturally a pilsner.

They are cracking open the first keg for the media Wednesday at 5 p.m. complete with musical accompaniment, but official launch will happen later in February at the brewery, complete with trumpet players from the PRO.

The pilsner will also be available in Wegmans, and the RPO says it will make a special appearance at their digital season announcement on February 23.

“We’ve been talking about this for a couple of years, actually even pre-pandemic. We have been looking about collaborating with them about doing a beer,” said Geoff Dale, the “Minister of Mayhem” with Three Heads Brewing. “We support all the arts and music in the city.”

Dale repeatedly mentioned the phrase “no-brainer” in his interview. The brewery has hosted some of the best local music since they opened their tasting room, and the company firmly believes beer and music are already the perfect pairing.

For the brewery, it’s a chance to work with a well-established Rochester institute, and branch into classical music, one of the few kinds of music they infrequently showcase, but the RPO says there’s appeal for them as well.

“We kind of like want to appeal to everybody in Rochester. And I think something else that appeals to a large part of our community is beer. So to me, I think it’s it’s an incredible combination of two interesting things coming together,” said RPO Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik over Zoom.

Tyzik discussed how the RPO isn’t just classical; they regularly have top-notch pops programming, which ranges from live movie soundtracks, to Motown, to show tunes, and more.

“[Our demographic] should be anybody from five years old to 105, [it’s] who likes any kind of music,” Tyzik continued. “We all appreciate the good things in Rochester, and good music, and good beer. How can you go wrong?”

The philharmonics conductor of the RPO, Andreas Delfs, is known for his repertoire with his musicians and his skill as a conductor, but he’s also known as a beer lover, and will often have a brew ready right after a show.

“I love light, crispy, clean beer and that’s that’s what that beer is,” Tyzik said, while coyly admitting that a post-show beer at the hall or at home might also be a tradition he partakes in. “And I can’t wait. I want to go buy a case of it. I think it’s pretty possible that I might be on stage with a bottle of that beer at some point.”

The brewery says this pilsner, true to the conductor’s roots, “is brewed with Bohemian Pilsner Malt; German Perle, Saphir and Hallertau Tradition Hops; and Traditional Bavarian Yeast.” But of course, it’s full of Rochester, too, balancing the clean taste of a more traditional beer like a pilsner, with the hoppier West-Coast beer Three Heads is known for.

“It’s got some traditional style, but we use some newer hops, so they’re in the vein of the classic style, but they have a little more fruity characteristics,” Sale said. “It’s going to be something that appeals to new beer geeks, or people that like the traditional Pilsner style. It’s going to be perfect for both.”

Both Dale and Tyzik say this beer accomplishes another goal: Classical and orchestral music and musicians aren’t stuffy or inaccessible. They are out in the community, so say “hi” when you can.

“I think that’s what people love about us,” Tyzik said. “[Rochesterians] know that we’re real, we live here. We’re all people who live, shop, and now drink beer in Rochester.”

More on: Three Heads Brewing:

Dan Nothnagle, Todd Dirrigl, and Geoff Dale started out brewing beers in their Brighton basement.  That weekend get-together has blossomed into an award-winning, state-of-the-art brewery in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts.  As they enter their second decade of business, they look forward to continuing their passion while highlighting their love for this city.  

About the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra:

The RPO has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 28th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.