Little Thistle Brewing

Great vibes, great beer. I love the community popup events like curling co-hosted by Little Thistle! The brewery tours are also awesome.

Great beer, eclectic selection, lower ABV options (great, because then you can drink more beer)! Lovely patio :)

Wasn't going to write a review. But after an interaction on Facebook I felt compelled. I visited in 2020 and had a bad experience, where the staff was rude, and not family friendly. I commented on a post on Facebook, the person running the FB page commented and said they remembered me, told a lie about my mother in law calling about our experience and a couple other lies. I explained they must have been thinking of another family, and to prove it I could explain when i was there. They, like other liberals, then chose instead of admitting they were wrong, and apologize, to double down and then block me. Calling me a troll who didnt follow them, which I was a follower. This only goes to prove to me that they arent an honest company, that is open to criticism and wont admit fault. For that reason I would not recommend going there. Other breweries in Rochester are more family friendly and non political. Keep politics out of beer. You are way off base, picked again the wrong date. Just admit you are thinking of a different person. Why are you continuing to try to defend whats obviously wrong. You deleted the comments on Facebook where you were called out for being wrong. Just stop. This is becoming ridiculous. And just checked your hours, june 1st 2020 was a Monday, internet says you're not open on Monday. 🤣🤣 Dawn, just stop being a karen. Now they change their reply to this review, deleting where they tried to call out the wrong date. These people are incredible! Again be like me, stay away from this place.

Very Nice Brewery. Large and Stately. Large court yard for games and entertaining large groups. If flavored beers are to your taste, this the brewery for you. As for me, I like old world style Beers. Well worth the Stop for a (flavored) beer. Update 11/3/22 To the Owner... First all if I was so unhappy, I wouldn't of said "Well worth the Stop for a (flavored) beer." As for Old Style Beers. I will simply disagree. Its like buying a bottle of wine with all these descriptive tasting notes. Will it live up to the authors descriptive tasting notes? When I want a stout beer, I don't want taste like maple or Coconut. Breweries are a dime a dozen now days. One for everyone that is beer drinker. To each their own. Cheers

I was not sure what to expect here but this is a pretty big place. Lots of outdoor seating and several of their beers on tap. I am dark beer guy and I liked everything I had with a a few I thought a few were above average in my style. I tried a few others...not my favorite. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. I would have spent more time here but traveling alone...I can only do so much. I will stop back next time give it a try. Update: on a second stop their beer selection was similar in that they had limited darker beer selections. They had a Scottish Ale, German dark, and a Belgian string that were all tasty. They also had 2 cream ales, a rice lager, raspberry tart, double dry hazy IPA, double dry hopped lager, Czech pils, 2 lagers, grape fruit hazy, Mexican lager, and a couple seltzers....one of those they say is 9.5%. Service is still good and I would have no issue coming back.

The highlight of this brewery is the outdoor seating area. It is comfortable and welcoming (and helps with the social distancing). Unfortunately, I found their beer to be below average for a micro Brewery and their prices high for certain beer choice (eg $4 for some tasters is above market pricing). The peanut butter stout was the best beer. This place has promise and I will try it again. I liked their attention to detail, including the nifty taster holder.

The food truck here was amazing!!!! The drinks were tasty too. It’s a perfect spot to meet up with a group. It’s a welcoming place to any gender. My new favorite brewery in Rochester.

Excellent beer, beautiful space, amazing people! What more could you ask for? A must-visit if you're in southeast MN! After an evening enjoying the great beer, I set my beloved flannel shirt on one of the benches. I didn't realize until the following day when I was back home in Arizona. That flannel has traveled back and forth across the country, hiked hundreds of miles, and bagged peaks with me. I called to ask if there was any way I could pay to get my shirt back. I was absolutely shocked when it arrived in the mail the next week, no charge, and with some bonus stickers! I'll absolutely be back if I'm ever in Rochester again. People and a business that upstanding deserve your money, and you won't regret any beer you order!

One of the best, if not THE best Brewery in Southern, MN. Something on the beer list for everyone. Nice rotation of food trucks. Staff knows their beer and does a great job. I have been here on multiple occasions and never had a negative experience. Thank you Steve for taking a chance on Rochester, MN.

We had planned on staying the night here in our van as they are a Harvest Host.. but we were saddened to hear they no longer participate in the program. They were super nice and still offered us a place to stay for the night. What a win facility with lots of seating both inside and outside. We bellied up to the bar and ordered a flight of beer so that we could try some different styles. The beers were tasty. The two girls working the bar were great! Personable, friendly, helpful and efficient. Tuesday is free hot dog day! You get a free hot dog with the purchase of a beer. Service 5 stars Hospitality 5 stars Beer 5 stars We'll be back for those free hot dogs.

Really nice destination brewery in the Rochester outskirts. I've had their beer at a lot of events but this was the first time making it to their taproom. The building itself is really nice, open, and clean with a huge dog friendly patio. The inside is a good size but there's still some squeezing between tables once it gets a little busy. Looks like they've got a space to reserve events in the back. It wasn't very crowded right at opening on a Saturday but you can tell it was going to fill up quickly. All the beer I've had from them has been excellent and I'm never hesitant to try a style I usually amn't a fan of. Worst case is that it's just "ok". No food on site except snacks but there are a ton of good places in the area with options for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. The bartender was super nice and even offered to help build a flight based on what styles I like. It's about an hour and a half away for me but I would definitely make the drive for special releases or events. Rochester has a lot of good food and drink options to make the trip worth it. It's an outspokenly inclusive brewery that makes great beer and doesn't try to be anything it's not. 5/5 will visit again.

Tried this place after visiting the area wished we had more time to try more beers. Lots of space mainly outdoors.

Really cool brewery-would be awesome to bike/run to since it's right on a trail. Sounds like they have rotating food trucks on different nights.... And free hot dogs on Tuesdays! Great outdoor patio that is very kid friendly.

While I wasn't able to try everything that Little Thistle had on offer, I was impressed with what I saw. The space is in an industrial area in Rochester but the brewery itself is lovely. There's a large outdoor area with shaded tables and ones in the sun; the entire outdoor area is also dog friendly. They had a food truck there the day I went and while I didn't have any food, it smelled and looked delicious. The taproom has a nice aesthetic with a big open bar for ordering right next to the kegs, mashers, etc where they're brewing away. The beer I had, as well as the four pack I had to go, were delicious IPAs and the other people in my party were also happy with the beers they ordered. If I'm in Rochester again, I'd definitely consider stopping in

This place is AWESOME! Stumbled across Little Thistle on a quest to find the best trivia in Rochester. The trivia on Wednesday was great, the drinks and ambiance were even better! Lots of great non-alcoholic options like specialty sodas, kombucha (my personal choice), and NA beers. Super relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Great vibes all around! We came when the Duck Truck/Bleu Duck was serving food -- they deserve a separate review (amazing fries). Loved Little Thistle's focus on promoting local vendors!

We ran across the pedestrian bridge over the highway from Cascade Lake as it's a gorgeous early September day. And given that it's a Sunday, it wasn't too busy. We kind of had to figure out the menu ourselves and at least the girl didn't rush us as there's lots of options to choose from! I got the Black Forest, a barrel-aged imperial stout. It was ok. We also looked on their website to see if a food truck was going to be here and there wasn't any updated information. That's a bummer as there's only food trucks here Thurs - Sat. I do like that it's right on Douglas Trail but my review is it's about 3.7 stars. I look forward to checking out the other breweries in Rochester.

Stopped in for a IPA to take a break from the shopping lines, this one I'm not a fan of, should have stuck with the black forest.

Love their IPAs, nice atmosphere. They occasionally have special events. We like to bike there when the weather is nice.

The quality of beer and ethos of this establishment is rivaled by few. Their mentality is 'be humble, drink local.' Although showering them with praise is antithetical to their slogan I would be remiss if I didn't share my positive experience with the broader yelp community. It is brand new and some remaining signs of recent construction take away from the otherwise pleasing external aesthetic but you're here for beer (the potential for a great community outdoor gathering place is exciting). Inside the layout is a choose your own adventure of brew hall. Sportsball tv and games to the left. Classic high tops and bar in the center. Quieter beer hall tables to the right. The beer is amazing. Pleasing to the casual drinker and beer-snob alike. Selection is diverse so it's not just ipa's. The beer's quality, and creativity of the brew team make styles I don't usually like quite approachable without selling out. Ask if the owners are around and have them talk about their establishment. Dawn and Steve are your friends, you just don't know it yet. His accent is rad and their passion for beer, community and life in general is refreshing. It's worth the visit and you'll discover what public houses can and should

Finally stopped in on Friday when I got to town. I told the beertender a buddy had been bugging me to come in. She asked his name? When I gave it, she said she knew him.... that lead the way for me to...well be me... the jokester... so LAUGHS were had. Marti helped me build a flight & drink the beers in order. When I went for a second flight, I went to walk away, turned back to ask: which order should I drink them in? Jess "I already numbered them". WOW, Jess is on top of her game!! The gals were lovely!! We joked & discussed other breweries & beers. Upon leaving I asked where the nearest McD's was to buy a pop? Not only did Marti tell me, she gave me turn by turn directions!! Little Thistle...w your delicious beers, fantastic staff, fab tap room, cozy patio & easy parking, you were hands down my favorite brewery of the weekend!! Looking FORWARD to my next delicious & fun stop in!! Cheers!!

Great IPA selection I feel they are the best in town currently. This place is where you want to go when its 90 out and so frickin humid like today.

The place has great ambiance, a great selection of beers, and even things like curling in the winter. Love this place.

A nice alternative if your into brews, I like theirs best in town, plus they have outdoor seating too.

Great selection of craft beers. Outdoor and indoor seating. To-go 750mL bottles. Byo food.

Great beers and lots of board games to play while you enjoy them! The employees were kind and recommended really good options for people who haven't been there before. Overall amazing service!

The beer was great and I liked the opportunity to sit outside on a nice day, but I have to say, there are so many breweries in Minnesota, that if you are not going to be full of Minnesota nice, you are not getting my stars. The staff was prompt enough, but really didn't seem engaged. Didn't tell me about the beer. Didn't tell me about the brewery. Didn't tell me about the free hot dogs that night. Every brewery has beer. It's the staff that helps make it special.

Spotted Little Thistle while out on a bike ride this morning. Checked out their website and excited to learn that they are open daily for your craft beer enjoyment. We were already planning on visiting a different brewery in Rochester this afternoon. Decided to stop at Little Thistle first - and then move on. Well - our "Brewery Crawl" turned into a one stop shop. Pleasant outdoor area, nice breeze - decided to have two beers here instead of traveling on. We enjoyed the Brave Woman, the Noyce IPA, the Peanut Butter Stout, and the Imperial IPA. Bonus today - we also received two 12 oz beer glasses with a special Little Thistle commissioned design. By pure chance - the artist was in line in front of us. Got to compliment him on his design. The beers were cold and delightful. Sat outdoors under the pergola covered with solar panels. We watched two gentlemen putting the finishing touches on some flower boxes being added to the patio area, enjoyed the breeze and our beverages. Some customers had brought their own lunch with them, a food truck selling pizza arrived around 4:30 for some Happy Hour snacking. Regarding COVID-19 precautions: they have set up a one way customer flow for ordering. Big sign informing you of the procedures in place - and Prince is there to confirm that you read the instructions before you enter. Blue tape on the floor to mark the six feet distancing. Limited customers to the counter at a time. All employees are wearing masks. Outdoor seating is monitored and tables cleaned off as people leave. They are doing it right.

Tons of beers on offer! Cool vibe. They have a couple games like foosball. There's also the Bleu Duck Truck for food. Not sure if they stay open in actual winter, but they were they were there in 30's temps yesterday! Even better - there are little standees on the tables in the brewery with QR codes. Scan that, and you can order/pay on your phone and have them come bring it to your table! Patio looks stunningly amazing. Huge - looks so amazing with all those chairs in the summer or warmer fall. It was just too cold to take advantage of, try as we might. The staff kindly was willing to turn the heaters on, but it wasn't enough to drive off enough chill. Probably would have worked with no wind, but it was pretty breezy out. Beers were good. Tried a couple sours, which were good. Pumpkin spice pastry stout - an aged one, super good! The Oktoberfest is a little different than others - it's somehow lighter and wheatier? I'm not great at describing beer. It's quite drinkable! Staff was great! They were willing to turn the heaters on for us and were super friendly. Gave me some recommendations and explain the food situation. One other thing - love the wallpaper in the women's bathroom. Unicorn and mermaid with some rich colors. I don't know why some places have such amazing bathroom wallpaper, but this is one of them.

Little Thistle Brewing has the best outdoor patio of any brewery in Rochester. It's a modern design with plenty of seating to spread out. There was a burger food truck serving fancy burgers in the parking. we quickly scarfed down the burgers and fries. The burger tasted a little pricey, but it was good, nonetheless. The beers in our flight tasted fantastic. They even had a beer on CASK. We ordered a full glass of the cask ale after realizing this.

Wow-the female bartender made our experience here so memorable! She's an IPA kinda gal but really knows her brewery! We opted for a sampler and a growler to go home with to share. I don't know what made me more happy: bicycling here or my fashionable thistle socks that I got here. Next time, I'm riding my bike and wearing my new thistle socks!

Great atmosphere -- outdoor tables, food trucks/stands, great collection of board and card games (I got to relearn cribbage when I went!). Music not too loud which I really appreciate. My partner had the saison and went back for seconds. Said "I quite enjoyed it. It was very smooth." I had the key lime pie sour and I loved it! Not a fake sour -- it's definitely a sour -- and not sweet but definitely has that lime note in it. Very good. Service is prompt and they're proactive about cleaning up empty glasses. Looks like dogs are allowed, at least in the outdoor space, as several dogs were out when we were there.

We were in town for the antique show... wrapped up our shopping early and decided to have an afternoon sip... Little Thistle Brewing did not disappoint! Lovely little brewery tucked away at the dead-end street on the far side of town. There is apparently some rivalry with their neighbors, as the cones and ropes all over the driveway were a bit excessive? Nonetheless, we found parking in the back. Great selection of beers. We got a flight and shared it. To be fair, I'm not much of a beer drinker, so keep that in mind. However, their selections were many, their flavors were pretty darn excellent and pours were generous! Staff was great... even with a group of bicyclers and apparently a birthday celebration, we enjoyed people watching and brew-sipping!

I stopped by Little Thistle during a quick overnight trip to Rochester and was glad I stopped by! With their ample patio seating and spaced out indoor options, it's clear why Little Thistle is so popular with locals. A fun atmosphere, I was impressed by their diversity of beer offerings and thought it was great I could get 8 oz pours of several of their beers. Too often breweries don't offer a size in between the small 4 oz "shots" you get in a flight and a full 16 oz beer. Looking for a fun, COVID-friendly spot to meet up with folks? Be sure to check out Little Thistle.

Love this place! Great indoor and outdoor seating options to enjoy a variety of excellent beers. The beer list rotates to fit the season. You can get the beer in a range of pour sizes so you can try a few in a flight of 4 or pick a favorite in a pint. They have a schedule of food trucks to offer food to go with the beer (pizza on the Thursday night we visited). This was our second visit from out of town and we will definitely be returning!

This place has a large selection of home brews and a large outdoor patio space. Rotating food trucks and bring your own are the food options.

Terrible for Covid. Every table was marked as unclean. I went inside with a mask. It wasn't up to their standards. Wouldn't take cash for the drinks but took it as a tip. Staff was rude. Tables were disgusting. One drink and left. I want my money back. Every table was not sanitized.

Chalkboard menu with tons of options at all different sizes. The road to get to this place looks like your going the wrong way but this is not the case. Drive till the road ends then take a right. The parking lot is right next to the loading bay from the post office next door. I got a dunker and it was a great dark loger. Lots of people bring games and sit at the 6 person hightop table to hangout. I felt as if I could sit there all day and no-one would mind me at all. I also witnessed the unfortunate incident of a 5 year old dropping a FULL deck of cards on the ground. The look on his face was a look of true defeat. Still 4/5 stars.

Meh. If you're in Rochester... go for it. If you're driving specifically from the Cities to go there... meh.

Some really good beers, nice patio and great staff. My issue with them is they always seem to advertise the wrong food trucks. I understand things change but they are pretty active on social media so it seems like a simple way to keep us updated.

Only ordered crowlers but had one of each flavour they had and of the ones I tried vs shared were all good. Looks like a nice tap house and if had more time would have stayed and tried more

Little Thistle is by far the best brewery in Rochester! Atmosphere is great, beer is top notch, summer patio is amazing, and the service exceeds expectations. The beer is also very affordable compared to other craft beers. I highly recommend Little Thistle to those who live nearby or those who are visiting.

Wonderful, varied beer selection, and a great laid-back space! We went on Sunday and had a very delicious brunch buffet as well for only $10. Can't recommend enough!

Fun place. Good beers, at least the ones they had. Worth the stop and hang out!! Need food trucks that will show up. ;)

I really like the atmosphere and the beers are good. The staff is always friendly and it's a great place to gather with groups of friends. They even have sodas for the littles.

Fantastic beer, trivia on Wednesday's, good trucks occasionally. What more could you want?

Great tasting beer. Fun atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. They also have different food vendors during the week. Would definitely recommend especially if you are looking for a nice relaxing night.

This place is great for a get together with friends over a good brew. The beer is on par with LTS and better on average than Forager. No kitchen but food trucks are frequent and you can always bring in your favorite eats. Service has always been solid!

Little Thistle is my favorite brewery in town. Forager is a close second. LT has a nice variety of beers and every one I've tasted is either very good or great. I'm an IPA guy and love the "Wetlands" and "Strata Galactica".

Very nice brewery with good beer choices. Would like to go back to enjoy the outside seating as well.

My wife and I stopped in to try a brew and ended up having a sample flight for each of us. It worked out great with 8 brews on the menu. We absolutely loved 6 out of the 8. The other 2 were good but probably wouldn't order them again. Great atmosphere, super friendly staff. We will definitely visit again. Can't wait for warm weather so we can sit outside.

This was my first time visiting little thistle. And it was a great experience. They're doing a good job of keeping everyone safe during Covid. All tables were cleaned within minutes after a party left. you go in the building in one door and follow arrows one way thru the building. Masks at the door If you don't have one and lots of hand sanitizer everywhere. PLUS their beers are fantastic!! We got 2 flights and I enjoyed all of the ones we tried. Highly recommend!

The beer is great and the owner and his wife are very nice. Great setup and location. Some of the other staff were unfriendly.

Love this place!!!!! Super friendly and helpful staff!! Great variety of craft beer!!

Great New England IPA's. In town for Mayo and spent much of our down time here. Great set up. Friendly and informative bar tenders. Very cozy place. Will make it here every time we are in town.

Awesome variety of beers from sours to IPAs. Favorite sour was the Foreign Culture Watermelon. Atmosphere also fantastic!

Been there twice. Very good beer and a wide variety. A fun atmosphere with lots of games including a special Ms. Packman and Shuffleboard. The staff wasn't necessarily rude, but they weren't very welcoming (just a suggestion to the owner).