Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Ellis
Hi Andrew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been into smells and tastes. From making my own colognes and candles, to enjoying foods and beverages. It started with wines and craft beer and then bourbon and scotch. Being able to pull out flavor profiles and hone the skill was so much fun. 10 years ago, the coffee industry was opened up for me by John Clark of Vienna Coffee Company and I started enjoying more coffee roasters and less craft breweries during my travels. A couple of years ago I joined the sober movement and coffee was naturally the only drink left. Shortly after, U Brew Coffee Co was born out of a note in my phone titled “Monetize love for coffee?” And developed out of a need for an actual activity to DO with coffee, another sober space for people to come to and do something together. Not just drink coffee but actually do something hands on with it. I started with mobile bookings going in home, in office, and to events. Cupping coffee for the public (seeing, smelling, and tasting coffee paired with fruits nuts chocolates and sweets). I traveled the country connecting with micro/small roasters and grading their coffees and started spotlighting a new roaster each month. Offering 5 coffees to taste during the cuppings and those same five available to try at home. Now, I have a lounge opening in Bearden where people can come to do the cuppings but also choose from 25 different beans, all single dosed and ready to try their hand at brewing. They have multiple brewers ,grinders, kettles, scales, etc to choose from so they can enjoy the process and take control of THEIR cup. In a way that is easy to do and focused on the experience rather than the technicals.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
U Brew has been a series of pivots. Starting a business is always difficult. Starting one that’s never been done and has no road map is even harder! From pivots to pay the bills, to reaching audiences I didn’t realize were interested, to location pivots, process pivots, pricing pivots, etc.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about U Brew Coffee Co LLC?
U Brew Coffee Co is an experience based destination in the coffee industry. We focus on a hands on journey. Our lounge is dedicated to giving the community a chance to take control of their cup. 25 different beans single dosed in special vials with a large selection of brewers, grinders, scales, kettles, etc to choose from and brew your own coffee. Specialists are available to guide your journey and cupping classes are available to try 5 different beans from a single roaster while pairing them with fruits, nuts, chocolates, and sweets to develop a deeper appreciation and palate for coffee. And don’t miss out on our coffee bar, where you can get high end crafted drinks you won’t find anywhere else. U Brew’s Coffee Lounge is another sober space available in the Knoxville area for the community to come DO coffee together.
Any big plans?
Our Lounge is in the process of opening after 2 years of business! Up until this point we have been a booked service, in-home, in-office, and at events. Don’t worry we will still provide that service as well as expandinh upon our self guided journeys through our Golden Cup Club subscription boxes!
Pricing:
- Instructor led coffee cuppings (tasting/class/Brew session) $50
- Hands-on lounge experience $15
- Coffee bar $12-15
- Retail equipment $wide range of price points
- Knoxville made products! Coffee mug candles $30, Coffee&sugar Body scrubs $12
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ubrewcoffeeco.com and soon www.ubrew.coffee
- Instagram: @ubrewcoffee
- Facebook: @ubrewcoffee
- Youtube: @ubrewcoffee
- Other: TikTok @thatubrewdude
