Overview
When news of Albion's soon-to-launch new dining precinct first broke, Brisbanites were promised that Craft'd Grounds would feature quite the array of drawcards. On the list: a brewery, pop-up restaurant, patisserie, craft bottle shop, coffee roaster, street food, specialty espresso bar, wine and cocktail bar, events space, and laneway filled with street art. Now, as the Collingwood Street space inches closer to opening, Brissie caffeine fiends have something concrete to look forward to. When the spot launches in October, it'll boast Australian coffee roaster Seven Miles' new Queensland flagship coffee roastery.
Previously, Seven Miles has operated out of Newstead; however, come spring, Albion will be its local base of operations. And, it won't just be roasting behind closed doors. Its new setup is all about immersing coffee lovers in the experience — so, while you're sitting in the open-plan venue, you'll be able to see through wall-to-ceiling glass and witness everything that happens to bring the brand's roasts to your cuppas.
"From the ceiling-high glass walls, open seating plan, our dedicated training spaces for masterclasses and public cuppings and barista-art competitions — it'll be a lively, immersive, and fully transparent experience," says Ben Graham, the ex-owner of Parallel Roasters and now Seven Miles' Queensland Operations Manager.
"You'll witness specialty coffee roasters in action, taste our coffees in the way we taste it — learning what to look for and why it's important — whether you're in the industry or just an avid coffee lover."
Seven Miles' will continue to serve up its Brisbane-made roast The Cat's Pyjamas, which will be joined on the menu by its other brands such Wilde and Cultivar, as well as a range of monthly rotating Single Origin coffees.
The focus on giving coffee fans a glimpse of the work behind the brews firmly fits in line with Craft'd Grounds' overall mission to celebrate all things handcrafted — which its resident brewery Brewtide, onsite patisserie and fromagerie, and regular markets will obviously also tap into.
Seven Miles also operates roasteries in both Sydney and Melbourne, and supplies coffee to more than 800 cafes around the country, including over 120 in Queensland.
Find Seven Miles' new Queensland flagship roastery at Craft'd Grounds, Collingwood Street, Albion, at a yet-to-be-revealed date in October. We'll update you when exact opening details are announced.
Images: Justin Ma.