MetroNOME Brewery, a musician-run taproom in Lowertown, St. Paul, is in a sprint to raise $25,000 to keep its doors and student music programs open. The brewery, which channels beer revenue into lessons, instruments, and performance opportunities for local students, says slipping foot traffic and broader industry trouble have forced it into emergency fundraising mode.
Built to fund music education
Co-founded by conductor William Eddins and musician Matt Engstrom, MetroNOME opened as a for-profit brewery with an attached nonprofit that directs support to local schools and music educators. MetroNOME Brewery explains that "NOME" stands for "Nurturing Outstanding Music Education," and the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild lists the brewery as a mission-driven member of the state's brewing community.
Fingal's Cave and the student stage
Down a short flight of stairs, the taproom opens into Fingal's Cave, an intimate listening room that regularly hosts high school and collegiate bands and a weeknight student "sit in" series. MetroNOME co founder Matt Engstrom told CBS News Minnesota that "the mission sells the beer," and the brewery says it gives student cover charges straight back to the bands. CBS also captured a night when nine time Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis sat in with a group of students, showing how the space doubles as a hands on teaching stage.
Bridge funding and the numbers
To keep the operation running through spring, MetroNOME launched a GoFundMe asking for $25,000; the campaign shows $14,896 raised from 176 donors so far. Organizer Bill Eddins says the money will buy grain, cans and provide the working capital needed so the brewery can scale distribution. The fundraiser notes distribution gains even as in person traffic remains soft.
Industry headwinds
MetroNOME's appeal comes as craft breweries across the state and country feel pressure from a crowded market and shifting consumer habits. Axios Twin Cities reported that Minnesota's production numbers moved unevenly in 2024 and that several local taprooms have closed in recent months, underscoring how saturated the market can be. For mission driven taprooms that rely on both event crowds and shelf sales, that squeeze can quickly become existential.
What would a closure mean?
Founders warn that a permanent shutdown would cut off a rehearsed route for students to perform, learn and meet working professionals. "A lot of kids that we've been able to help would lose that aspect of things," Engstrom told CBS News Minnesota. Organizers add that the basement stage provides rare, steady, paid sit in opportunities where students can play alongside union wage professionals.
How to help
People who want to support MetroNOME can donate to the GoFundMe, buy canned MetroNOME beers or attend shows listed on the MetroNOME Brewery site. The founders say every pint and ticket helps keep the nonprofit work going while they try to grow distribution. For now, whether Fingal's Cave keeps hosting the next generation of players may depend as much on local audiences showing up as on shelf deals.
