There was a time when WeHa Brewing and Roasting was blowing up my Facebook feed. It wasn't open yet, but they were looking for potential investors. Although I did not invest, the concept impressed me. In theory, it was a great business model. Two businesses would share space and resources. The coffee business would be front and center early in the day. The craft beer business would be the focus later in the day. And there would be some crossover in the middle, when hopefully the people chilled out on beer would get along with the people hopped up on caffeine.
I eventually lost track of WeHa B&R, until I noticed Instagram Food Blogger Hartfordeatz's "Story" image of a Stout from WeHa. I researched a little, and was surprised to discover that WeHa B&R had opened about a month earlier without me knowing. I recently visited their building located next to West Hartford's Shield Street Plaza for a morning coffee, and I talked with co-owner and head beer brewer Will about the business.
Will is an experienced brewer comfortable working in a number of different styles, including traditional German, New England IPA's and stouts. They're presently pouring drafts on site and filling growlers. They also recently acquired specialty equipment that will enhance their ability to release beer in cans. Stay tuned for future info about can releases.
Will's business partner, who was not on site while I was there, leads the coffee roaster side of the business. They roast green coffee on premises rather than use and sell beans roasted by others. They have a coffee shop there that makes and sells beverages, and they also sell bagged coffee beans that they roast. The three bags that were displayed while I was there included two blends - "Blue Back" (a Medium Roast) and the "Center" (a Light Roast). It's kind of cool to picture somebody in Des Moines drinking West Hartford themed blends some day. WeHa also displayed a medium roast Peruvian single origin.
I ordered a black cold brew. Since the person in charge of coffee was away when I was there, they weren't quite sure which coffee they used to make the cold brew as they recently have used an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, and sometimes use a Colombian. I guessed it was the Colombian as the coffee lacked the type of fruit notes that you would normallly taste in an Ethiopian coffee. In any event, the coffee was dark, smooth, nutty and on par with many cold brews offered by other area coffee sellers. I look forward to learning more about the coffee end of the business, and trying the beer when I'm there during beer drinking times.
WeHa B&R has ample seating inside if you want to meet or hang out with friends. The atmosphere is laid back. Will told me that they are working towards having an operational kitchen on site, and they've identified the person who will lead that aspect of the business.
If I was just grading the coffee, I would grade my experience at the 4 Star Level. However, Will went above and beyond in talking with me about their business, and I'm giving another .5 Star in light of that. So pending my sampling of beer on a future date, I score this review 4.5 Stars, which rounds up to 5 Stars.
Best of luck to WeHa Brewing and Roasting. read more