Passion is brewing

Like sommeliers judging and rating wines, Doug and Pete Cooper have travelled the world searching for the best-quality coffee beans and how to coax the peak flavor from them.

Doug’s love of exceptional coffee went from a hobby—he began roasting beans in his basement in 2010—to opening a brick-and-mortar roasting facility in 2019 in his hometown of Ashland.

Goldberry Roasting Company opened in Market 42 in Brunswick, a shopping and dining destination of local vendors, this spring. Pete says the name is from a character in the Lord of the Rings books who embodied hospitality and joy. The father and son’s dream jobs took over their day jobs and to date they have hired more than 70 employees.

Caring for the Journey

Pete explains they differ from other chain coffee shops or other coffee companies in that they are classified a “third wave” operation, which means “one that emphasizes high-quality, single-origin or specialized coffee beans, carefully small-batch roasted and brewed to highlight their unique flavor profiles, often with an artisanal approach.” 

It’s more of a movement than a classification, and he says that ethical sourcing, sustainability and educating people about the journey from farm to cup are foundational to their business.

“We are all about community,” says Pete. “At the same time we started growing the company, we founded a nonprofit called Coffee Growing Community. Our mission was to enhance the quality of life for struggling coffee growers and their families in the Sierra Norte de Puebla region of Mexico.”

Through generous donations, the duo has been able to put a half-million dollars into the community, helping build churches and schools, encouraging the farmers to start micro enterprises and even acquiring its first ambulance and ultrasound machine.

“Our goal is for them to live a more abundant life by maximizing the quality and market value of their coffee,” says Pete.

Number One for Good Reason

The number one seller at Goldberry is the Mexican roast.

“Like wine, it has its own distinctive terroir, slightly sweet without being sugary,” says Pete. “It’s the product of its environment, with notes of wild honey and guava, and the tang and astringency of black tea.”

In addition to Mexico, they sell coffee beans from Ethiopia, Brazil, El Salvador, Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Kenya and Tanzania.

“One of our more unique offerings is our Whiskey barrel aged coffee, a Brazilian coffee aged in retired whiskey barrels, which gives the coffee the essence of whiskey without the alcohol,” says Pete. “Two of our most popular specialty drinks are Bananas Foster Cold Brew and Blackberry Lavender Latte.”

Since there are bakeries, farmers markets and adorable shops carrying jewelry, flowers and clothing, he adds that people are making Market 42 their go-to local shopping destination.

“We want to position ourselves to offer incredible coffee and educate people about it without coming off as pretentious,” says Pete. “Coffee grading is on a scale of 0 to 100, and anything above 80 is considered specialty, which is all we offer. Our drink sizes stay true to the traditional ones you’d find in Italy. An espresso or macchiato is served as it was meant to be enjoyed.”

For early risers or commuters, it’s worth noting that the shop opens at 8 a.m.—earlier than most other vendors at the market. It’s the perfect time to grab a coffee on the way to work or enjoy a quiet moment with plenty of seating and easy parking before the crowds arrive. Orders can also be placed online through the website or via DoorDash for added convenience.

Goldberry Roasting Company is located within Market 42, at 2099 Pearl Road, in Brunswick. You can buy coffee by the pound and by subscription online, but the Coopers would love to see you in person at Market 42. Visit GoldberryRoasting.com to find out more information.