Our story is steeped in curiosity
Roast & Brew began as a pop-up espresso cart. Today we’re a multi-location cafe rooted in transparent sourcing, mindful roasting, and inclusive community experiences.
Rooted in relationships
We built Roast & Brew around long-term relationships with growers across Central and South America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. Every green coffee we purchase is traceable to farm level and roasted in micro-batches to preserve nuance.
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2016
The mobile espresso cart
Founders Ava & Jonah served direct-trade espresso at farmers markets across Portland.
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2018
First brick-and-mortar cafe
We launched our flagship on Bloom Street with a 15kg Loring roaster.
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2021
Community cupping labs
Weekly public tastings empower guests to explore flavor, terroir, and brew science.
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2023
Sustainability milestone
We achieved carbon-neutral roasting and zero-waste milk operations.
The people behind the pour
Ava Collins
Co-founder & Head Roaster
Ava leads sourcing trips, roast profiling, and our sensory education labs.
Jonah Rivera
Co-founder & Experience Designer
Jonah curates cafe layout, events, and brand partnerships that give back locally.
Nina Alvarez
Pastry Chef
Nina bakes seasonally inspired pastries featuring local grains and produce.
Designing a future-friendly coffee chain
We invest in clean water initiatives, compostable packaging, and direct-trade contracts that uplift growers. Our cafes run on renewable energy and feature reclaimed materials.
- Carbon-neutral roasting operations
- Zero single-use plastic behind the bar
- 5% of profits reinvested in farm-level education
We believe in open-source education
From brewing guides to sensory labs, our team is committed to sharing knowledge with the wider coffee community. Our training programs support baristas and home brewers alike.
1,200+
People taught annually
40+
Origin partnerships
70%
Menu sourced locally
24
Seasonal collaborations