After working in retail coffee for 11 years, Matt McGinn, who is the co-owner of Quixotic Coffee in Saint Paul, knows his way around the industry. So when he saw the opportunity to create his first product, he jumped at the chance. “Cold brew has been trending on the West Coast, and I saw a potential here in the Midwest that was untapped,” McGinn says.
Blackeye Roasting Co. combines the smooth, full-bodied taste of a cold brew with the convenience of your local grocery store. Since debuting 12-ounce Nitro Cold Brew and Signature Cold Brew cans in February, McGinn has received a positive response. He aims to expand the cold brew market and deliver the currently inaccessible product “to the masses.”
Roasted in St. Louis Park and brewed in Saint Paul, Blackeye Roasting Co. uses a traditional brewing process that stands out from other cold brew techniques. McGinn uses a one-to-one ratio of coffee and cold water, and steeps the beans for 16 to 21 hours, creating a low-calorie, dairy-free and sugar-free drink packed with caffeine.
Available on tap at local bars and restaurants and in cans at SuperAmerica and participating Whole Foods, Blackeye Roasting Co. opened two cafes in Minneapolis in July. They also offer an office subscription service.
