Jesse Grote
Roastmaster
Jesse grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin and moved to Minnesota to go to the University of Minnesota for college. While in college he worked at a local cafe and met David, the owner of Upper Midwest Gourmet. David hired Jesse to help with all facets of UMG and their friendship and business relationship formed from there. He graduated with a political science degree, but soon found that coffee was also a serious passion and together with David decided that starting the Flamenco roastery was in the best interest of both their futures. Jesse received top-notch roasting training from Willem Boot in San Francisco and with his own creative methodology started to produce Fair Trade Organic micro-roasted batches under the Flamenco Organic brand.
Jesse currently resides in New Hope, Minnesota with his wife, Brier, his son, Elliot, his daughter, Jemma, and his big ol’ dog, Thom. Sometimes he plays shuffleboard and softball.
Likes: References to obscure actors, the Green Bay Packers, Mountain Dew, assorted meats and cheeses, fantasy-football, Radiohead, and downloading music.
Dislikes: Cream-cheese frostings, allergies, airplanes, public speaking, and leaving Minnesota or Wisconsin.
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Alan Erbach
Roaster, Designer
You would think a degree in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature from the University of Minnesota would warrant an incredible amount of job opportunities, but Alan found the contrary. Instead, he dove into the employment search with 20-some months of marketing and sales experience and some bitterness toward the corporate world. He was lucky to find a craigslist post looking for a roaster’s apprentice, where he quickly sent a resume and a letter explaining his lack of coffee background (instead, he promoted his beard). He received a phone call 20 minutes later.
Alan grew up in suburban Chicago. While he prefers the city-life, he enjoys going home every once-in-a-while to see his ma, pa, and identical twin brother. He came to Minnesota in 2002 and eventually bought a house in Northeast Minneapolis. He currently sings and plays bass guitar in a punk band. He enjoys painting portraits–a skill he has developed since high school. Alan is a half-talented bowler and a dedicated soccer player. When not spending time at home with his wife Kayla and two cats, you might find him at any number of Twin Cities bars. There is a chance he might also be at the bar he built in his basement. Since October 2008, Alan has worked diligently under Roastmaster, Jesse Grote.
Likes: Kittens, the Chicago Bears, Summit beer, whiskey, biking year-round, loud rock music, karaoke.
Dislikes: Cell phones, vegetables, doing laundry.