Roasting 101 in Minneapolis (Summer 2025)

First of all I'd like to thank Lauren, and Bryant, for presenting such a great course; it was comprehensive, interactive, and very easy to take in.

Being able to take roasting theory, and then apply it using roasters of various sizes, and beans of varied origins, was exactly the kind of experience I needed as someone wholly new to roasting in practice. Tying in origin, production methods, cupping, and color grading rounded everything out to give me a clear overview of the process from A to Z. And as someone with a background in big data, I can't express how excited I am about the features RoastPath has to offer a new roaster.

The inclusion of Angie, the resident "how to navigate starting a roastery" expert, was a blessing. Production space architecture, legal hurdles, health codes, tax implications; you name it, she knows it.

The opportunity to not only have Josh, from Cafe Imports, in class, but to also get a tour of their warehouse presented us with another valuable resource. An importer that wants to build long term relationships with specialty roasters, and connect them with just the right producers. That they have ongoing relationships with producers that invest in their local economy, and have turned to more eco-conscious farming methods, is something I had hoped to see from an importer.

Having Steve pop in to discuss not only roasting, but also to give us the moral support that only seasoned business owner who knows their industry can give, was invaluable.

Everyone at Mill City wants you to succeed in this industry, and this course is only one of the many tools they can provide you with.

I look forward to getting back in touch with everyone over the next couple of months as I go down this new path, and I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the class schedule for more opportunities to learn from them.

I have been roasting coffee and running retail coffee shops for many years, but decided to take the 101 course to get current with the state of the industry. I was pleasantly surprised at how much good information I received in such a short amount of time. The folks at Mill City excel at the science of roasting coffee, and their focus on education is a service to coffee professionals and the industry overall. But it's not just roasting! They cover the essentials of starting and running a coffee roasting business, which is so valuable. If you are just starting out, this course could save you MANY future headaches, and establish Mill City as valuable allies in your efforts. I'm looking forward to implementing what I learned, thank you so much to Steve, Angie, Lauren and Bryant. Congratulations on your excellent operation!

Being completely new to the coffee roasting community, Roasting 101 really helped me develop a much better understanding on what it takes to start a business, how coffee roasting works and how to achieve your desired result. It also taught me how exactly to taste and differentiate between a variety of coffees. Overall it was an enjoyable experience where I learned a lot about the coffee world, and would definitely recommend if you are thinking of taking the class.

I had the opportunity to take Roasting 101 at Mill City this July and I can't say enough positive things.

Lauren and Bryant do an amazing job of teaching and coaching. They bring a level of commitment and energy to the classroom that make this an exceptional course. Content is tailored to the class, they coach just enough to keep you on track while letting you learn, and the entire team freely shares from their many years of combined experience.

An aspect of the class that I didn't expect was essentially a short-course in small business. Angie provided insightful and pragmatic advice that was really helpful in thinking through building you business. She is a key resource, breaking the process of starting a roastary into clear steps and highlighting pitfalls.

I tend to be wary of rave reviews but this course deserves it. Steve's culture of excellence really shows and the team comes together in a way that is rare to find.

Thanks guys!

Recently, I had the pleasure of flying to Minneapolis for the Roasting 101 class at Mill City Roasters. I had strong expectations coming into this course, and I am delighted to say that the team at Mill City surpassed them all.

First and foremost, the staff is top notch. They bring a depth of experience, professionalism and fun together in a class that shares critical knowledge and business minded perspective for anyone working in the coffee space. Believe me when I tell you that this class will greatly aid you and your staff as you endeavor to craft and deliver beautiful coffees to your customers. Worth every penny.

For myself, working as a rookie coffee roaster, I left feeling equipped to tackle the challenges of new greens, roasting, cupping, blending and selling. I cannot wait to sign up for the Advanced Roasting Workshop!