We’re big Quills Coffee fans around these parts—the quality-focused Kentucky roaster that’s home to US Barista Championship & Coffee Masters competitor Michael Butterworth, as well as Brian Beyke, he of the popular @AbandonCoffee Instagram account. Quills stood out at the recent New York Coffee Festival by serving some of the tastiest espresso at show. Here in the waning days of Build-Outs of Summer, we take a look at the tasty new look they’ve brought to their much-loved Baxter Avenue cafe in Louisville.
As told to Sprudge by Brian Beyke of Quills Coffee.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
Quills is a small but growing group of passionate people devoted to sourcing, roasting, and serving amazing coffees through meaningful relationships. Meaningful relationships from farm to cafe or home kitchen. We strive to create experiences and spaces that encourage and inspire. We believe in quality for all and that coffee creates community.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
We opened Baxter [on Baxter Avenue in Louisville] back in 2009, at which time we were very new to designing bars and thinking through bar workflow. Over the years as we did more and more volume the little details that we missed the first time became more and more critical. With this completely new bar, we were able to hit the reset button on all of the major bottlenecks and design a bar that made baristas more approachable and efficient, and customers more comfortable.
What’s your approach to coffee?
Clean, even development throughout the entire coffee while highlighting any unique acidity, and a strong focus on bringing out the sweetness created in the roasting process.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
We have a new four-group La Marzocco Linea PB and have added a Mahlkönig PEAK grinder.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
Open now!
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
We came up with the concept and layout of the bar but we worked with Personal Framers to pull it off. They were fantastic to work with!
What’s the address?
930 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky.
All photos courtesy of Brian Beyke.
