Meet three local roasting outfits delivering unique brews to fuel your caffeine addiction
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What began in 2011 for owner Jarrett Mitchell as a charming coffee cart in a parking lot, has transformed over the years into a full-fledged roasting operation. With previous iterations as both a small cafe within White Rabbit and a stand-alone location on Iowa City’s south side, Wake Up Iowa now focuses solely on supplying local cafes, restaurants and grocery stores with high-quality organic beans. Wake Up Iowa sources single-origin beans that are organically grown, roasts them in small batches, and packages them by hand in their small Iowa City warehouse. With simple packaging incorporating hand-drawn illustrations and Photoshop collages, Wake Up Iowa has carved out a unique space for themselves in the market showcasing high-quality beans without taking themselves too seriously. A quick visit to their online store gives you a glimpse into the lighthearted nature of the company with tonguein-cheek tasting notes such as this gem from their Storm Cat brew: “A deep inhale while brewing invokes the exploration of a hidden closet full of photo boxes and leather-bound journals on a rainy day. With a sip, Storm Cat’s dewy paws crawl across the back of your tongue, leaving a trail of chocolate-flecked honey.” You’ll also find the promise of brewing guide videos (coming soon) featuring both Mitchell and the company’s unofficial mascot Sleep Daddy, Mitchell’s beloved dog.
In addition to roasting beans, Wake Up Iowa also produces Cobra Verde-a natural energy drink, made with green coffee, citrus, and ginger that’s absolutely worth trying. The bright, clean alternative to a brewed coffee or espresso is available at local grocers including New Pioneer Food Co-op.
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Sam Caster, wife Emma Barnum, and their adorable son are the brains and energy behind this mobile operation. With a deep passion for coffee and extensive training and experience as a barista, Caster set to work to bring fresh-ground, brewed-to-order specialty coffee to the Iowa City Farmer’s Market scene just two years ago. Caster and Barnum originally stocked their outfit with locally roasted beans from Sidecar Coffee Roasters in Cedar Falls, but have since transitioned into roasting their own beans to supply the operation. The same roasted beans used to make your delicious brewed-to-order cup of joe can also be purchased in half-pound increments at their stand so you can get your morning fix any day of the week in your very own kitchen. You’ll find Brass Ring serving up delicious infused cold-brews, iced and hot teas and pour-over coffee Saturdays at the Chauncey Swan Farmer’s Market in Iowa City.
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Cafe del Sol is Iowa City’s longest running roaster. With over 25 years of experience under their belts, owners Stephen and Lora Dunham and their team have been offering their bespoke roasting services since long before it was hip. Over the years, they’ve carefully crafted custom blends and roasts for many local restaurants and cafes. A wealth of choices abound from light to dark roasts and all that lies between, but trust that all roasts are from organic, fair-trade origins. Their custom blends are at work fueling patrons of many local restaurants—El Banditos, Motley Cow Café, Palisades Café, and Devotay—but are also available for purchase in local Hy-Vee and New Pioneer Food Co-op stores. Look for them in the warmer months at the Chauncey Swan Farmer’s Market in Iowa City, selling bagged beans to customers.
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