Little Thistle Brewing Co. has been a staple of the Rochester MN Brewery Group since 2018 when the brewery opened. We’re honored to feature this brewery as the first in a series of breweries in the Brewery Group who are sponsoring our Rochester MN Summer Guide + Bucket List!
Audrey Robinson has worked at Little Thistle since 2018 when she and her wife moved to Rochester from Cedar Falls, IA. She said that the brewery owners, Dawn and Steve Finnie, had dreamed of opening their own brewery for a while before finally accomplishing that goal in August 2018.
Namesake
Steve, originally from Scotland, and Dawn named the brewery after Scotland’s national flower: the thistle. This flower represents “bravery, devotion, durability, strength, and determination,” an extremely resilient plant, Robinson said. The thistle is also known as a humble weed, which inspired the brewery motto, “Be Humble, Drink Local”.
This poeticism runs deep at the brewery and they stay true to their namesake. One of the first beers ever brewed at the brewery — now one of their flagship drafts — is Brave Woman, a Scottish Ale named after a poem written about Steve’s grandmother, Jane Whyte, who saved fifteen fishermen when their boat capsized off the North Coast of Scotland.
The people and community within the brewery “make it unique,” Robinson said. “Not only would I say that we have the best staff and owners I’ve ever worked with, but our customer base is also amazing,” Robinson said. “There’s great beer – and try to find a better patio. It’s just welcoming. It’s community-oriented — everybody’s welcome. Just an awesome space.”
Little Thistle hosts Trivia Mafia on Wednesday nights. They also host food trucks so customers can get a bite to eat while enjoying their favorite local brews and a friendly, yet competitive, game of trivia.
Staple Beers
Little Thistle has several flagship beers, which are beers you’ll always find on tap. As well as a wide variety of rotating styles and flavors. Here are some go-to favorites:
The Doug Named after The Douglas Trail, this American Lager is made with a light maltiness in taste and is perfect for easy drinking.
The Wetlands Hazy IPA Robinson’s favorite beer on tap at Little Thistle, a double-dry hopped IPA with a blend of Citra, Mosaic, and Sultana hops and notes of ripe pineapple, mango, and tangerine.
Identity Crisis This cream ale has a bready malt character and a light floral hoppiness that’s perfect for those getting into the brewery scene.
Brave Woman The famous Scottish Ale has notes of caramel, biscuit, lightly roasted malts, and chocolate.
Foreign Culture Series (sour):
Key Lime Pie A Sour that has a tart and tangy taste like your favorite lime pie balanced out with a touch of cinnamon and marshmallows.
Pineapple/Tangerine A Sour with that refreshing summer taste everyone is craving right now, packed with fresh pineapple and tangy tangerines.
Brewery Atmosphere
Part of the charm of the brewing and consuming atmosphere at Little Thistle is the view of the process. The brewery has a 10-barrel brewing system, each 10-barrel batch churning out about 20 kegs. During peak operation season for the brewery, they’re brewing about three times a week, churning out a variety of beers.
The half wall that allows guests to view the brewhouse is an intentional design move made by the owners, Steve and Dawn, so you’re able to see the brewhouse from the taproom.
“It gives the people who are here to drink the beer a shot to see where it all gets made,” Nick Novotny, Brewer at Little Thistle, said.
And it’s impossible not to see it. Upon entering the brewery, eyes immediately catch the giant, shiny, silver tanks.
“I think it’s also part of their full open-door and open-community concept too. It’s just another example of letting people ask questions,” Robinson said. “I’m walking in the taproom all the time, so I see people staring at it and looking over the wall and I’m like, ‘you want to talk about it?’” It’s a great way to engage in conversation about the brewing process.
Fun Features
Luckily, for people like me who don’t gravitate towards beer as their drink of choice, Little Thistle has recommendations to help guide you. Robinson recommends getting a flight, which offers the opportunity to try a few different. Robinson said. “You can find styles that you really gravitate towards. So I think just getting some tasting notes and getting a little flight familiarizes you with the flavor profiles of different beers. It’s like being 10 years old and trying blue cheese for the first time. They’re like, ‘No,’ but then you get a little older you’re like, ‘Okay, like, it makes sense.’ I think it’s just about trying it and knowing what to expect.”
Little Thistle is also a family-friendly spot, offering ice cream and other snacks for sale, live music on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer so parents can get out and about while also exposing their kids to live music, and instead of beer for the kids, there are sodas that come in many-a-flavor.
This summer Little Thistle will celebrate its fifth anniversary on August 26! Be sure to celebrate with them and this awesome brewery that has contributed so much to Rochester.
“It’s just a great spot,” Robinson said. “Good people, good beer.”
