Little Thistle Brewing's namesake flower is known in Scotland as a symbol of bravery, resilience, and protection. In the year since the husband-wife duo of Dawn and Steve Finnie opened their brewery in northwest Rochester, all three of those traits have shown themselves.

Commitment to community

In just a short time, the brewery has cultivated a reputation for three things: great beer, an open door to the community, and quality entertainment.

If music emanates from the single-story former loading dock sitting on two acres of industrial property, it’s usually fronted by high-caliber vocals, thanks to the booking expertise of Audrey Robinson, booking pro, beertender, brewing assistant, and from-day-one employee.

Saturday, however, might be a different story, when patrons of any vocal ability can take a shot at being front-person for a live band. From 6 p.m to 10 p.m., the ultimate live karaoke band, Party! Party!, comes north.

(Note: this event has passed.)

“They’re out of Des Moines, and their repertoire is ridiculous,” says Robinson of Party! Party!

Karaoke will have no cover, and if trends from the brewery’s first year in business continue, you won't be singing to an empty room. The Finnies have made a concerted effort to keep their brewery community-minded, and the community has responded in kind.