Omni Brewing Breaks Into Coffee and Breakfast Business
In a backroom at Maple Grove’s Omni Brewing, Spencer Olson is a sort of mad scientist tending to a complicated piece of machinery.
It’s got so many flashing red warning lights, he’s nicknamed this machine “Roxanne” after the song by The Police.
The rest of us would call this machine a coffee roaster.
It’s a relatively new addition to Omni’s craft beer-centric business model. Olson is also new to his role as coffee roaster.
Every week, he transforms sacks of green coffee beans into a brewable breakfast beverage.
“That has always been on my list, you know? I want to learn how to roast coffee,” Olson said. “I like learning new things.”
Omni Brewing coffee roaster Spencer Olson removes partly-roasted coffee beans from a roasting machine.
New Breakfast Offerings
The house-roasted coffee is part of the Maple Grove taproom’s new breakfast offerings. Omni co-founder Zack Ward says the addition brings new appeal to the established taproom.
“A well crafted taproom experience is what we’re all about,” Ward said. “We feel like a coffee shop, cafe is right in line with that.”
It’s uncommon for a brewery to offer house-made coffee.
“We have jumped in with both feet,” Ward said. “We are the first ones that I am aware of that are roasting our own coffee beans.”
The coffee is served inside Omni’s taproom.
Head barista Holly Wykert created the menu, which includes house specialties like their s’mores cold brew.
“It’s done way better than I anticipated and it’s very tasty, not super sweet,” Wykert said.
Breakfast sandwiches are another new fan-favorite on the menu.
“Croissant, biscuits, sausage, bacon, egg, cheese, the works,” Wykert said. “They’re made to-order, and our egg souffle is from scratch.”
In total, the new additions bring a cafe-vibe to an otherwise beer-heavy local taproom.
“We feel that connection between your food and where it’s made is really important,” Ward said.
