Rochester has quietly built a craft beer scene, and the Rochester Trolley and Tour Company ties it together with a microbrewery trolley tour that visits four brewery pubs and serves beer flights along the way. The trolley handles the driving, which is the main appeal for anyone staying in town and not wanting to count drinks against a designated driver. The tour appears on the tourism board’s list of local tours alongside the Mayo historical trolley ride and the wine trail tour, and it has the same easygoing format: a guide, a shared vehicle and a schedule built around the stops. The local brewing scene includes names such as Forager Brewing Company, Little Thistle Brewing Company, Kinney Creek Brewery and LTS Brewing Company, and the tour is a convenient way to sample that kind of variety in one outing. It is a group-friendly activity for friends, birthdays and visiting colleagues, and it works particularly well on cold or rainy days when a trolley beats a long walk between taprooms.
Planning
Tours of this kind run for a few hours, and the operator offers lengths ranging from a 75-minute city ride to half-day and full-day tours, so check the exact length of the microbrewery option when you book. Confirm which four breweries are on the route for your date, because stops can change with the season and with each brewery’s hours.
Bring photo identification, since you must be of legal drinking age, and eat something beforehand because beer flights add up quickly. Pricing, group sizes and private bookings are handled through the operator’s website, which is the best place to ask about celebrations or corporate outings.
What to expect
At each stop you can expect a flight of small pours, a chance to talk to staff about what is on tap and some time to look around the taproom. The mix of styles in Rochester usually runs from approachable lagers and pale ales to darker seasonal beers, but the exact menu depends on the day. Between stops the guide shares local history and tips, so the ride doubles as a light city tour. Most taprooms also serve food or allow outside snacks, which helps pace the afternoon.
Making the most of it
Pair the tour with a morning at Silver Lake or the Mayo campus art tour so the day has some structure. Drink water between flights, and arrange safe transport back to your hotel if the trolley does not drop you at the door. Beer fans staying a few days can return to favorites on their own, since the downtown taprooms are walkable from most Mayo-area hotels. Visitors who prefer wine should look at the operator’s Bluff Country Wine Trail trolley tour instead, which heads out into the countryside.
Good to know
Craft brewing in southeastern Minnesota tends to reflect the Midwest’s tastes, with plenty of approachable styles alongside experimental seasonal releases. If you are traveling with a companion who does not drink, ask the operator whether non-alcoholic options are available at the stops, since most taprooms offer soda, cider or house-made soft drinks. Tours run best with groups that arrive on time, so plan to be at the boarding point early, wear comfortable shoes and keep your phone charged for photographs.
A trolley outing also pairs well with a hotel stay downtown, because the Mayo-area hotels are close to the taprooms and a walk home after a good dinner is easy. If your group is large, book early, since popular dates fill quickly in summer and around local festivals.
What to expect
The experience
A guided trolley tour of four local microbrewery pubs with beer flights.
Best time
Afternoons and early evenings year-round, especially on cold or rainy days.
How long
Several hours; confirm the length when booking.
Tips
Bring photo ID, eat beforehand and check which breweries are on your date.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Friends, couples and groups who want a safe way to sample Rochester craft beer.
- Families
- Adults only; not suitable for children.
- Couples
- A relaxed shared activity with plenty of conversation.
- Pair with
- A downtown dinner or the Rochester Wine Trail tour on another day.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How many breweries does the tour visit?+
The tour visits four microbrewery pubs and serves beer flights, according to the tourism board’s description.
Do I need to be of drinking age?+
Yes. Bring photo identification and check the operator’s age rules.
Can I book a private group?+
The operator handles group and private bookings through its website, so ask them directly.
Is food provided?+
Food is not part of the description, so eat beforehand and check whether each taproom serves meals.
What if I prefer wine?+
The same operator runs a Bluff Country Wine Trail trolley tour that visits wineries.