Coffee lovers around the Birmingham area gathered to celebrate their first true love – espresso.

Alabama Coffee Festival was hosted by Alabama Multicultural Organization and held at Cahaba Brewing Company in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood.

Participating coffee shops and roasters: Revelator Coffee Company, Honest Coffee Roasters, Domestique Coffee, Beyond Bama, Athens Roasting Co., Mason Dixon Bakery, Tropicaleo, The Abbey Coffee Shop, Red Bike Coffee, Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co., Known Coffee Co.

So basically, if you missed this awesome opportunity of unlimited coffee tastings it’s in your best interest to hand the reigns over to our idea specialist at The Retreat at Mountain Brook.

We have narrowed down Birmingham’s best brews closest to our community!

Revelator Coffee Company, “Revelator celebrates relationships formed over fresh food, good drink, relaxed conversation, and an inviting cup of coffee or tea. We value quality and simplicity, and let our products and experiences speak for themselves.”

Pick of the month: Gatare brew – bright notes of stone fruit and hibisicus. Candied tones of orange marmalade, sweet golden raisin, and blackberry preserves. Syrupy body, with layers of brown sugar and spice. The best part – It’s only 4 miles away from the Retreat!

If Nitro coffee is your go-to you MUST visit Domestique Coffee. Nitro is an extension of their original cold-brew recipe. Domestique uses Fairtrade, shade grown, Haitian green coffee. To create this cold-brew they air roast utilizing their proprietary brewing method, and then finally off to the lab where a little magic happens. Domestique is BOLD and RICH. It has the body that truly compliments the NITRO infusion process! Stop by on your morning commute or lunch break. It’s a short 16 minute drive for a fast pick-me-up on your way to the office.

We’ll take a brief moment to shy away from coffee and talk about coffee’s best friend, baked goods. Mason Dixon Bakery has now opened in Homewood, and the bakery has been awarded Alabama’s first gluten free bakery and bistro – one of the top 15 bakeries in the nation. This bakery and bistro was founded by a health inspired and locally driven couple, Dr. Ashley and Taylor Ramirez. We encourage you to watch this TED Talk in Huntsville, which depicts the captivating story of how Mason Dixon Bakery came to life. Feel free to drool over this bakery and bistro menu!

The Abbey… What is The Abbey? It’s a community coffee shop in the Avondale neighborhood of Birmingham. It is a nonprofit project of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Their mission is to offer a place of hospitality and conversation to the community.

The Abbey prides themselves on serving local goods. The coffee is roasted by Red Bike Coffee in Irondale, Alabama. The tea comes from Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co. of Huntsville, Alabama. As for their baked goods…made in-house at The Abbey. Swing by for an array of choices from hot/iced coffee, fabulous tea or savory treats from Crestline Bagel Co.

Don’t forget about The Retreat’s signature cup of java in both resident lounges. We serve high-quality blends of coffee, tea and cocoa. What else could make your morning better? Oh yeah, it’s free. We hope to see you in the coffee lounge soon!