rochester mn brewery tour

Rochester Microbrewery Trolley Tour

Craft beer tastings at up to five local microbrewery pubs, rochester now has five microbreweries, and you can choose how many of them your group wishes to visit during your private tour take a ride on the trolley to our city’s different craft breweries and sample a flight of craft beers at each stop. knowledgeable brewers will talk about their signature beers and why they’re special — but the proof is in the tasting , five rochester microbreweries .

Click on the name of the microbrewery below to visit its website! 

Grand Rounds Brewing Company  ~ (507) 292-1628

Forager Brewery ~ (507) 258-7490

Kinney Creek Brewery ~ (507) 282-2739

LTS Brewing Company ~ (507) 226-8280

Little Thistle Brewing Company ~ (507) 226-8014 

Logistics! 

Enjoy craft beer tastings at up to five local microbrewery pubs, you choose which  microbreweries you’d like to visit as well as the length of your tour, rochester trolley can help plan your group’s microbrewery itinerary, private parties will make group reservations with the microbreweries they choose to visit., private parties pay for their own food and beverages, as well as formal beer-tastings, if desired, rates for chartering a trolley are by the hour , guests are welcome to enjoy beverages while traveling on the trolley.

Little Thistle New Years Hours!

Thistle Do Gooders Supporting Jeremiah Program

Welcome to little thistle.

For all of the locals who were born and raised here, and for all of the newcomers who have chosen Rochester to put down roots, we want this to be a welcoming, casual space to share time together.

Housed in a converted truck loading dock our brewery and taproom sit on nearly 2 acres with a large outdoor space and plenty of parking. Check out our events, food truck offerings, and musings on Facebook and Instagram .

The craft beer industry in Rochester is just beginning, and we are eager to contribute to this vibrant brewing community. 

Located on 14th Street NW just off of Valley High Drive in Rochester, MN.

Tuesday 3-9 | Wednesday 3-9 | Thursday 3-9 | Friday 12-11 | Saturday 12-11 | Sunday 12-7 | Monday CLOSED

Need a ride? Order a Lyft or Uber

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Tessa's Office Wine Boutique

Rochester, MN 55902 Tel:

Visit Tessa's Office Website

Sontes Catering from farm to table

Visit Sontes Website

Grand Rounds Brew Pub

Visit Grand Rounds Website

Rochester, MN 55902

Open Monday -Saturday at 11 am Open Sunday at 4 pm

Tours & Tastings

Join Head Brewer Steve Finnie for a behind-the-scenes look at how our beer is made, and enjoy a complimentary brew.  Admission for the tours is three canned or boxed food items that will be donated to Channel One Regional Food Bank .

Next Tour: Saturday, April 2 at 2pm.  Reserve tickets on Eventbrite

Tasting Packages

Receive $5 per person discount any tasting package when you bring in three canned or boxed food items per person to be donated to Channel One Regional Food Bank .

The Growler | $20 per person

• 1- hour guided tour of the brewery and brewing process with one of our brewers
• Taste six Grand Rounds flagship beers with the brewer

The Firkin | $25 per person

• 1-hour guided tour of the brewery and brewing process with one of our brewers
• Taste six Grand Rounds flagship beers and one seasonal or infusion beer with the brewer
• Grand Rounds tasting glass to take home

The Keg | $40 per person

• Taste six Grand Rounds flagship beers, one seasonal or infusion beer, and our cask-conditioned special brew with the brewer
• Grand Rounds tulip glass to take home
• Choice of one appetizer per person from our tour menu [cheese curds, pretzels, edamame, tots, fries, hot dog/brat, wings (3-piece order) or mac & cheese (side order)]

To schedule a tasting, call Karen at 507.292.1628 or email .  A minimum of three days advance notice for tastings is appreciated.

• Our Community
• Our Brewhouse

A neighborhood pub in the heart of the city serving fresh, local food and craft beer brewed on site.

Kinney Creek Brewery

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Kinney Creek Brewery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Tue 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Wed - Thu 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Fri - Sat 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
• (0.47 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Rochester Mayo Clinic Area/Saint Marys
• (0.21 mi) St. Augustine at Kutzky Park Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s GARAGE PARKING!!!
• (0.73 mi) The Berkman
• (0.67 mi) Aspen Suites Rochester
• (0.68 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
• (0.01 mi) Asian Food Store
• (0.11 mi) Forager Brewery
• (0.10 mi) Hunan Garden
• (0.09 mi) 5 Dollar Pizza
• (0.04 mi) Steak Escape

Welcome to Forager Brewery

Winner of 8 national untappd beer awards and 37 state untappd beer awards.

locally foraged

The food, beer, and decor.

Our casual dining approach invites you to enjoy a relaxed family friendly restaurant experience in Rochester, MN! We offer a full menu of vibrant dishes made from the freshest seasonally available ingredients inspired by our bountiful region. Discover a new favorite each time you visit as our menu changes to integrate the most recent harvest from our local farming partners.  

And don’t forget about the beer! Our beers are made on-site, in our brewery, from a combination of locally foraged ingredients, regionally native grains, and wild hop varieties–they pair perfectly with our unique and rustic-style dishes!

Breakfast is available in our Cafe from 8am-11am. Lunch, dinner, and everything in between available 11am-10pm in the Taproom. 

scratch kitchen

For the early risers.

Our locally foraged ingredients –  wild mushrooms, herbs, flowers, and spices – combine to form a unique palate, inspired by our region. We use all-natural produce from local Southeastern Minnesota Farms, supporting sustainable agriculture and independent farming initiatives. As a reflection of our brewing philosophy, our gourmet menu offers a selection of simple and vibrant dishes made with the freshest seasonally available ingredients. Discover new dishes as our menu changes to integrate the most recent harvest.

brewed with love

Our beers are crafted like dreams, spontaneously creative and unrestricted, coupled with elements within our physical reality. Fostering vision and meaning, derived from sensory experience, we strive to promote a vibrant, sustainable community.  

Brewed with love and passion, we aim to challenge and awaken the senses by employing time-honored traditions and fusing innovative brewing practices. Midwestern seasonal transitions offer opportunities to taste the terroir hidden within the Driftless Region. By supporting local farmers, we share this unique glimpse into the heart of flyover country’s agricultural treasures. Our brews are available on tap from 11am-10pm and to-go from 8am-10pm. 

Coffee Shop

Our Forager Cafe is located just inside the main entrance where we feature your favorite caffeinated beverages, house-made juice, fresh smoothies and scratch-made breakfast.

Just as they do in our Taproom, the Chefs utilize fresh and local ingredients in our Cafe breakfast menu so that you can have all the fuel you need for a busy day! 

We invite you to bring your favorite book, friend, or laptop, and spend the morning with us! (Not to mention we have mimosas too!) 

Breakfast is available 8am-11am and all beverages are available 8am-3pm daily. Order ahead here. 

private events

For life's happiest moments.

Discover A New Favorite

What Our Customers Say

"Forager brewery is my go-to spot for fresh and delicious food. The lara bowl is amazing but so is everything else on the menu! IF you are in Rochester I Highly recommended stopping by!"

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OVER THE YEARS

Where it all started.

Today, Kinney Creek Brewery stands as a testament to Donovan’s vision and the collective efforts of a community united by their love for exceptional craft beer. With a taproom boasting an impressive array of over 30 craft beers, hard seltzers, sodas, teas and more, Kinney Creek Brewery continues to be a cherished cornerstone of Rochester’s thriving craft beer culture. 

Join us for a flight, a beer or two, pick up a growler, crowler, or perhaps come take a tour to see how we create our small batch fire-brewed beverages. You also might want to check out our ever-evolving events at Kinney Creek; whether it is the local music scene, organized events, community fundraisers, or our plain ol’ every day specials that are anything but plain.  We invite you to come and enjoy not only our beer, but also our welcoming, fun, and easy-going space.  

Kinney Creek Brewery opened its doors on December 7th, 2012, marking the dawn of a new era for Rochester’s craft beer scene. The brewery’s inception proved to be a pivotal moment in Rochester’s cultural landscape. Donovan, keenly attuned to the craft beer movement sweeping across Minnesota, recognized the need for further reforms to propel Rochester into the forefront of this flourishing industry. He was instrumental in encouraging the city to change the “Blue Collar” off-sale law, which prohibited selling craft beer after certain hours, as well as being able to purchase off-sale on Sundays. Kinney Creek was also the first production taproom in Rochester to serve made-to-order food such as Heggies and Firehouse Pizza. 

In Rochester, Minnesota’s history, there stands a remarkable chapter marked by the revival of a tradition long thought lost. In 1922, Rochester’s last production brewery was shut down due to the dark era known as The Prohibition. In 1933, Prohibition was repealed, yet the notion of brewing beer within city limits remained but a distant dream, construed by antiquated laws and stifling regulations. 

Donovan Seitz, a visionary with a fervent passion for craft beer, had a steadfast determination to rewrite the narrative. For two hand a half years, Donovan tirelessly championed the cause, engaging in relentless negotiations to overturn Rochester’s archaic alcohol laws. 

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  worldwide: 800.899.7433

Holiday Light Tours

Brewery tours.

For your convenience a full list of Minnesota Breweries can be seen here .

Samples of some of the wineries by region or located below. A more extensive list of Minnesota wineries and vineyards can be found here .

Samples of Winery Tours by Region

A more extensive list of Minnesota wineries and vineyards can be found here .

Southern Minnesota Wineries Alexis Bailly Vineyard - Hastings, MN Cannon River Winery - Cannon Falls, MN Falconer Vineyards - Red Wing, MN Flower Valley Vineyard & Winery - Red Wing, MN Maiden Rock Winery& Cidery - Stockholm, WI Villa Bellezza Winery - Pepin, WI Vino in the Valley - Maiden Rock, WI

Western Minnesota Wineries   Buffalo Rock Winery - Buffalo, MN Parley Lake Winery - Waconia, MN Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery - Kimball, MN Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery - Waconia, MN Sovereign Estates Winery - Waconia, MN Woodland Hills Winery - Delano, M

Northern Minnesota Wineries Chateau Saint Croix - St Croix Falls, WI Dancing Dragonfly - St Croix Falls, WI Wild Mountain Winery - Taylors Falls, MN Wine Haven - Chisago City, MN

Celebrate the life of Prince

DOES NOT include Paisley Park Studio inside tour (SOLD SEPERATELY) You can purchase tickets to tour inside Paisley Park here . 

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• Restaurants Nearby

Rochester, MN Tours

A wonderful way to see the sights and experience the history of rochester is to take a local tour. here are four tours to try:.

1. Hop on a guided tour with the  Rochester Trolley & Tour Company . Several tour options are available, including the Rochester City & Mayo Historical Trolley Tour, the Jolly Trolley Holiday Light Tour, the Wine Trail & Microbrewery Tours, and more.

2. Discover the Mayo family's fascinating history on a  Historic Mayowood Mansion Tour . Guided tours of the mansion, which was built in 1911 and housed three generations of Mayos, are available from mid-April to mid-October. Then from early November until mid-December, the mansion is decked out for the holidays and offers holiday-themed tours.

3. Join an  Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Tour  to see the home of the Sisters of St. Francis, who were instrumental in establishing Saint Marys Hospital. Situated on 100 acres atop a wooded hill, the center features an ornate lobby with slate floors, Italian marble columns, and hand-blown stained glass windows. While entry into the Assisi Heights building is not permitted at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Assisi Heights hosts virtual events year-round and outdoor events at Assisi Heights Canticle Park and surrounding grounds as weather permits. Find the latest information on visitors and events  here .

4. Tour the 49-room, five-story  Plummer House of the Arts , designed in 1917 by early Mayo Clinic physician Dr. Henry S. Plummer and featuring many innovations that were far advanced for the era. The Tudor-style mansion sits on 11 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, consisting of formal gardens and a bird trail. Self-guided tours are available June to August. Group tours may be arranged during the remainder of the year.

Rochester is a  beautiful ,  friendly , and innovative city with many  things to do . Check out ideas for seasonal fun in  Fall ,  Winter , and Summer .  Visit our  Experience Rochester , MN blog  for more information on dining, attractions, and recreation.

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StarTribune

6 minnesota breweries win medals at 2024 world beer cup.

It can't be easy to stand out among more than 2,000 breweries, but six from Minnesota managed to do just that by bringing home medals from the annual 2024 World Beer Cup, held this week in Las Vegas as part of the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America. Here are our world-class beers:

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth (1832 W. Michigan St., bentpaddlebrewing.com) took first place in the German-style Altbier category for its Little Düssel Do-Ya. The beer is a local winner, too: It took second place in the German Ale category in this year's Minnesota Brewers Cup, and won that category in 2023.

Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub in Minneapolis (2716 E. 38th St., northboundbrewpub.com ) won the German-style Doppelbock or Eisbock category with Doppelbock, which was released in December.

Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake (570 Humboldt Drive, lupulinbrewing.com ) medaled in the Dortmunder/Export or German-Style Oktoberfest category with the limited-release Dortmunder.

Excelsior Brewing Company's (421 3rd St., excelsiorbrew.com ) Big Island Citrus Blonde Ale showed in the Fruit Beer category, a fruity play on the brewery's flagship Big Island Blonde Ale.

Rounding out Minnesota's medal winners is BeerClub Brewing from Mora (854 Forest Av., beerclubbrewing.com ), which also placed in the German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock category with Doppel (doppel) Bock (bock), a customer favorite.

And Pryes Brewing Co. of Minneapolis (1401 West River Road, pryesbrewing.com ) took the third-place win in the Mixed-Culture Brett Beer category with Idyll Forest Soirée, part of its Mixed Fermentation program.

About the competition

The World Beer Cup is the world's largest beer competition. This year, there were 110 categories covering 172 different beer styles. Over the course of a week, a panel of 280 judges from 37 countries evaluated 9,300 entries from more than 2,000 breweries across 50 nations.

The competition is hosted by the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers.

For a full list of winners, go to worldbeercup.org .

Nicole Ploumen Hvidsten is the Star Tribune's senior Taste editor. In past journalistic lives she was a reporter, copy editor and designer — sometimes all at once — and has yet to find a cookbook she doesn't like.

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