The Crimson Cup recently opened its doors to a brand new space called the Innovation Lab just around the corner from campus at 700 Alum Creek Dr.
Courses and tours are offered for both coffee professionals and curious consumers alike. The space provides areas for coffee evaluation, roasting, training, and gathering for anyone who enjoys a good cup of coffee and wants to learn more.
The building used to be a roasting facility. However, in December of 2014 it relocated to a larger building just down the street.
That’s when the idea to take the old space and create an innovative lab and training facility came into play. Building began in March of 2015 and was completed in January of this year.
“From conception, the main idea was to have a training space,” said Brandon Bir, the coffee sourcing and education manager. “However, we didn’t really know what that meant at the beginning, so we started breaking down the business in different facets.”
These facets focus on coffee science, brewing, and roasting. In order to do this, the space provides a classroom environment where participants can learn about the origins of beans, drink preparation, and much more. They also involve getting hands-on experience in application labs, cupping labs, and roasting labs.
The first class held at the facility resulted in each participant receiving an 85% or above.
“So far it has made for a really good learning environment,” Bir said. “We think we have a really solid idea of how to teach properly and make sure [the participants] retain the information.”
The facility is on its way to becoming certified with the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). The SCAA provides specific standards, protocols, programs, and resources for coffee professionals. Its members are associated with farmers, importers, roasters, and retailers.
“The idea behind it is all about power and community,” Bir said.
Once certified, the Innovation Lab will be the only certified campus in Ohio. It will be one of the only few in the Midwest altogether.
Capital serves Crimson Cup coffee and has created a growing relationship with the company. Students are welcome to tour the facility and take consumer courses.
“We are pumped to have a relationship with Capital,” said Bir. “We are neighbors after all, [and] I think it can create a great synergy.”
To take a virtual reality tour of the facility or register for a course, go to the lab’s website.
