I Am Broad Ripple

Blue Mind Roasting

Febuary 21th 2015

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I was invited into the home of Sarah and Andy Hassler from Blue Mind Roasting for an interview and a cup of their coffee the other day. Their home doubles as their roasting and packing area for their beans.

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The couple that has been dating since high school makes the best of teams. Andy, with his science background from Butler University, is the roasting master-mind and Sarah, with her creative art side, has headed the labeling and packaging portion. They pay careful attention to each bag they create down to hand-lettering and stamping.

 

Coffee was always a part of Andy’s life, but it wasn't until he started roasting his own beans that Sarah found her coffee enthusiast side.  After living in Louisville for a while, with all of its coffee shops, they realized that Indianapolis was lacking that type of coffee culture. “There are good places in Indy also, but it just didn't feel quite the same” said Andy, “I wasn't able to find coffee that I really got into. I tend to roast my beans a little lighter than the coffee I find around here.”

 

It all began when they started roasting their own beans for themselves in an old 1970’s popcorn popper off Ebay. They enjoyed it so much that they bought a home drum-roaster called a Hottop. Andy has been roasting on the Hottop for the past year and building his skill. They realized that not only did they love their coffee but others were beginning to love it also. So, they started selling it in a few shops around town. The roaster they have now can do about ½ lb every 45 minutes. “You can do the math; you can’t do that much in a day!” Sarah said jokingly. But, by April, they will have their commercial roaster they have ordered.

 

As of now, Blue Mind Local Craft Coffee can be found in four stores around Indy and they plan to expand to a few more in the Broad Ripple area once they are able to keep up with the demand. “The past few months have been sort of a ‘soft opening” remarked Andy. They would like to be available in restaurants in the Broad Ripple area. Blue Mind is committed to the idea of being local and have no large expansion ideas for their future. Being a part of the local culture is where their heart is. “We love the idea of being a part of this community. We love doing it together because we work really well together” said Sarah.

 

While they don’t have a website up yet, they can be found on Instagram.

Their coffee is available to purchase at Agrarian, The Garden Table, Tyner Pond Farms, and Wildwood Market.

 

 

By: Rachael Porter