Milwaukee Coffee: Reimagine Brew City

In the final installment of Milwaukee Coffee, Aidan takes you through the entire series in one episode. He recaps the six main themes taken away from the series, including: 1:45 - The ties between coffee & beer in the 414 4:46 - Valuing creativity 8:37 - Tackling societal issues in the industry 13:50 - Milwaukee's national perception as a coffee city 22:46 - The background stories of owners that succeeded 30:23 - Care for people and employees Thank you for listening to Milwaukee Coffee: Reimagine Brew City! -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Donuts (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

In this deluxe-edition episode heard first on Games & Grub, Aidan Hatton sits down with Jake Rohde of Vennture Brew Co., the new Milwaukee bar making waves with both coffee and beer. Catering to both types of brew in Brew City, Jake recalls his beginnings with Vennture and his two friends who founded the shop together (2:00), why photography and coffee go along so well (4:40), his perception of the Milwaukee coffee scene (11:34), and much more including his favorite menu item, favorite people in the Milwaukee Coffee scene, and the donut-flavored beer he created. -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Donuts (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

A two-minute drill on Milwaukee Coffee, presented by Aidan Hatton. -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Donuts (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

Aidan visits Canary Coffee Bar to sit down with owner Colin Whitcomb for an informative and insightful 30 minutes (and change). A nationally-acclaimed barista like Colin knows something about innovation, something he says he strives to do with Canary. Colin describes the shop's beginnings (2:46), his transitional perception of Milwaukee's coffee culture (15:01), and gives a fascinating fun fact: he only drinks black coffee (30:41). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Cheers:" ProSound Music; Audiam (Label); SOLAR Music Rights Management, Sony ATV Publishing, and 3 Music Rights Societies

Taking a trip to Brady Street to visit Rochambo, Aidan talks to co-owner Melissa Honkamp. Being in town since 1995, the relaxed, tight-knit establishment has become one of the most recognizable faces of environmentally-friendly business, something Melissa knows all about. She discusses how each recyclable cup goes through a journey (1:08), the shop's "Best Irish Coffee In Town" moniker and how Brew City goes from booze to coffee (10:18), and the two times she's cried running the business (11:59). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Shibuya Roll Call (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

Vice President of Coffee, Al Liu, joins Aidan in a profile of Colectivo Coffee. One of the biggest coffee brands in all of the country, Colectivo has stayed true to its Milwaukee roots, something Al stresses to this day. He recounts his past days of going to cafes as a college student at Georgetown (5:05), why Colectivo expanded to Madison and Chicago... but never to the Twin Cities (9:50), and shows off a new bag before it is released to the audience (21:57). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "No More - Instrumental:" Metro Boomin Want Some More, LLC., under exclusive license to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. (Boominati Worldwide)

Her blog ranks in the top 15 nationally and her expertise on Milwaukee coffee stretches much farther than simply the 414. April Larson, better known to her readers as "CoffeeBloggerMKE" joins Aidan for a conversation around her favorite parts of her favorite places. She tells the story of how photography - and knowing nothing about coffee - led her to the occupation (1:03), gives a "Mount Rushmore" of shops she's most looking forward to sitting down in post-pandemic (6:43), and has a telling reaction to how low Milwaukee was ranked as a 2020 coffee city (11:11). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Crazy (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

Eva Hagen joins Aidan Hatton as a Cafe Coach for Stone Creek Coffee. Her cafe next to the Milwaukee Intermodal excitedly displays "Coffee Geek" branding on a daily basis! She describes what gets her out of bed in the morning (2:33), how much Milwaukeeans "stan" their local cafes (4:03), and takes on the rapid fire finale with ease (13:09). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "1988 REMAKE 2_Nottz_42North.wav (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

Steve Kessler, Director of Wholesale Operations at Anodyne Coffee, joins Aidan. His fascination with coffee stems from his youth, and he has continued living his dream. He addresses how brands have needed to address farmers' treatment (7:14), gives his whirlwind journey through coffee and Milwaukee (9:46), and describes just how pizza came into the equation at Anodyne (22:09). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Shook Ones, Pt. II (Instrumental):" RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

Celebrating their 10-year anniversary, The National Cafe has stood tall on the south side of Milwaukee as a coffee and brunch staple. Owner Angie Wierzbinski has seen the highs and the lows, and brings a unique vantage point to some societal issues around Milwaukee and the country. She tells the story of being featured for a female-owned business advertisement in the city (2:20), how racial inequality has shown itself from National's location (3:50), and what she's most looking forward to in the aftermath of the pandemic (10:11). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "So gone Easy DaveJ V1.4.mp3 (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

The only non brick-and-mortar brand featured on Milwaukee Coffee, Nimble Coffee Bar has been on the move - literally and figuratively. Lisa Vaccarello started it all, and talks with Aidan about the challenges of being a mobile business. She describes the pains of parking in a tilted spot on the street trying to pour espresso (2:27), how her background and leadership at Caribou helped to be so innovative (7:24), and why so many Milwaukeeans love supporting local (10:53). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Always In A Rush (Instrumental):" Andy Mineo, Miner League, and Reach Records

The City of Milwaukee and Mayor Barrett proclaimed April 8, 2021 "Fiddleheads Coffee Day" after opening up at the BMO Tower. Owner Mike Wroblewski cut the ribbon that day and joins Aidan shortly thereafter. He recounts Fiddleheads' beginnings up to its 25th anniversary this year (0:44), how the coffee shop will turn more into a workspace post-pandemic (9:32), and previews his favorite mocha coming to the menu soon (16:54). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Bino Rideaux & Blxst ' Savage ' ( Instrumental ) Produced By Blxst:" HEXACORP LTD (on behalf of Dougy Fresh / Ballhard Records / Rapbay / Urbanlife Distribution)

As heard on Games & Grub in November of 2020, Scott Lucey of (then) Wonderstate Coffee and now Likewise Coffee has a love for the craft that goes back decades. He has some strong words about Milwaukee coffee culture (6:07), explains the Barista Guild of America to those who have never heard it before (11:15), and describes his secret life as a radio DJ (16:38). -- I do not own the rights to this music. All rights to "Russ - SMALL TALK (Official Instrumental):" Russ and Russ My Way Inc