Common Roots Coffee Company
When Common Roots Brewing Company first opened its doors in South Glens Falls, New York, their mission was clear: honor family roots, connect with the community, and craft exceptional brews. A decade later, with the help the staff, the community, John’s experience in quality control, and Luke’s roasting knowledge, they expanded that vision to include specialty coffee, seamlessly blending two worlds of craftsmanship and creating Common Roots Coffee Company. Here's how they used Bellwether’s innovative roasting technology to elevate their business while staying true to their values.
“Bellwether Made It Easy to Dial In the Profiles We Needed” – Quality That Proves Itself
When Common Roots decided to bring coffee roasting in-house, their goal was simple—create a product that matched their brewery’s commitment to quality. John, who’s been working for the company for 7 years, emphasized, "Working in quality control, my job is to make sure that our coffee is consistent with the products that we put out as a larger company." With Bellwether’s ventless electric roaster, they were able to craft consistent, high-quality coffee while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.
Luke, a seasoned roaster and certified Q Grader, shared, "Even with my 10 years of roasting experience, the Bellwether roaster made it easy to dial in the profiles we needed. It’s efficient and ensures our coffee meets the same high standards as our beer." John added, "The precision of the roaster ensures every batch is as fresh as the first. And whether it's for a morning espresso or a cold brew for one of our beers, the flavor holds up."
Customers have noticed the difference too. Luke said, “It comes down to the taste of the coffee. Customers will remark, ‘Oh, this tastes great!’ and I can tell them, ‘I roasted it on a Bellwether.’” John adds "Although it’s not widespread yet, our community is starting to get more exposed to specialty coffee. That’s an exciting part of what we’re doing here—we get a chance to grow that and introduce people to specialty coffee, in the same way that we were able to do that with our craft beer." From cold brews for their coffee beers to espresso for their cafe, Bellwether’s precision allowed Common Roots to experiment and expand their offerings—always with consistency, quality, and sustainability in mind.
“The Return on Investment Was Noticed Right Away” – Economic Advantages
Transitioning from buying wholesale to in-house roasting was a financial game-changer. John emphasized, "The return on investment was noticeable right away. Not only did we save on costs, but we also gained full control over our product. We were paying around $9 to $12 per pound for wholesale coffee before.” Switching to purchasing green coffee was a huge economic benefit for Common Roots having their costs down to $4 to $6 per pound. Luke added, "It’s not just about the savings. Having control over sourcing means we’re getting exactly the quality and sustainability we want."
This control extended to pricing, sourcing, and scalability. The ability to roast in-house meant Common Roots could collaborate with local partners, adding revenue streams and deepening community ties. Luke shared, "It’s very nice. You get the green coffee setup to go, and it moves through everything for you—the between-batch protocol and everything like that—while you’re getting work done on the side. So that has been huge for us." John added, "It’s allowed us to open up wholesale to a couple of select groceries in our area. Initially, we’re in six stores so far, as well as in a local doughnut shop."
By freeing up time and resources, the automation allowed John and Luke to focus on building relationships with new partners and expanding their distribution network, strengthening the business's sustainability and reach. Their success has also enabled Common Roots to expand coffee services to their two locations in South Glens Falls and Albany, New York, as well as open a cafe in their event center.
“It’s Has Been a Great Help With Our Productivity” - Automation and Technology You Can Rely On
With a decade of experience on traditional machines, Luke initially had some reservations about switching to new technology. "There’s a lot of assumptions from my roasting friends who haven’t worked on the Bellwether before," Luke admits. However, the transition turned out to be smoother than expected, with the technology quickly making sense for their operation. "I’m still learning, but it’s been a really natural process. We are trying something new and that’s exciting," he explains. Luke not only feels more engaged with the technology but also with the future of coffee roasting. Now, with Bellwether roaster’s intuitive design and automation John and Luke are able to balance their roasting operations with other responsibilities. Luke noted "It’s as simple as loading the beans, selecting the profile, and hitting start. It lets us focus on cupping and perfecting profiles rather than constantly monitoring equipment." As John puts it, "Having Luke be able to cup and adjust profiles, and then I can come in and just get stuff done," demonstrates the smooth synergy they’ve achieved with the Bellwether.
Previously, Common Roots had relied on another electric roaster, but it was far less reliable. John explained, "It’s nice to know these profiles are set. I can put the same beans in, and it’s going to come out exactly the way Luke wants it to. The machine takes out any worry about variability, unlike our old electric roaster that was sensitive to the environment. Now, we can trust the technology to handle it for us." He added, "The inconsistency of our old roaster meant Luke constantly had to step away to make adjustments and check on it, which wasn’t sustainable. As we continue to grow, that system simply wouldn’t have supported us. It wouldn't have been possible.”
For Common Roots, the consistency achieved in the Bellwether was extremely important for their business’ success. Luke elaborated, "The consistency is really nice. We know every batch will roast to the same profile so we can confidently serve our customers without second-guessing the quality." He also emphasized the impact on productivity: "It’s definitely helped with our productivity. How much you can get done while the roaster does the roasting for you after you have the profiles dialed in... It's unmatched." This streamlined approach not only simplified operations but also allowed the duo to achieve artisan-level quality without needing additional staff or complex installations. For a small team, this efficiency was crucial.
"Bellwether’s Sustainability Efforts Match Our Core Values" - Sustainability and Community Efforts
From solar power and upcycling spent grain at the brewery to composting coffee grounds and repurposing an old building for their roasting facility, Common Roots has always prioritized eco-friendly practices. As John says “We want to make sure that we’re contributing to the environmental sustainability of our local community.” Partnering with Bellwether aligned perfectly with their green initiatives. John emphasized the advantages of Bellwether’s electric and ventless design, sharing, "We don't have to vent this out anywhere and we know that the byproducts of roasting are being filtered."
Luke emphasizes the foundational importance of supporting farmers in the supply chain. “I think everybody in the specialty coffee industry knows that the farmers are where it starts. We partner with and support our local farmers through sending our spent grain and through our buying practices in the restaurant, and we try to extend that support into our green buying program.” Their sourcing strategy reflects this commitment to both sustainability and ethical sourcing. John notes, "We make sure that we're paying attention to where we source our coffee and ensure we have coffees in our profile that are Rainforest Alliance certified and fair trade." Together, their efforts in quality and ethical sourcing ensure their coffee program aligns with their values and resonates with their community, forming a core part of the overarching Common Roots brand.
When Common Roots Brewing Company began they established some core values: healthy living, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusiveness. The Common Roots Brewing & Coffee Companies are founded on that ethos, and along with excellent beer and coffee, it was the reason the company thrived locally as well as amongst the craft beer community at large. It was through the implementation of these foundational values that the brewery was able to survive a fire and the pandemic and continue to grow. As that growth continues, the brewery’s non-profit arm, The Common Roots Foundation sprang up, giving back to local initiatives that are in line with the company’s core values. And partnering with a company like Bellwether was another logical step on this path. From the reduced carbon footprint of roasting to Bellwether’s Farmer Impact Fund, this coffee partnership continues to grow and strengthen the communities it reaches.
Crafting a Better Future Together
John shared their vision for growth, stating, "Common Roots is becoming a nationally recognized beer company. There's people all across the country that have heard of us, and that come out of their way when they vacation and seek out our beer, and that's definitely what we want out of the coffee program, too."
Common Roots Brewing Company’s journey into coffee roasting showcases the potential of businesses to innovate without compromising their values. By integrating Bellwether’s technology, they’ve expanded their offerings, strengthened community connections, and underscored their commitment to sustainability.
