Connecting over a cup of coffee is a universal human experience. It’s a go-to for first dates, casual business meetings, and old friends catching up after years spent apart. All over the world, coffee is a daily ritual, and it's even more enjoyable when treated as a true craft. There’s a science to brewing an epic cup of coffee or pulling a smooth shot of espresso. The amount of machinery and options can feel overwhelming, and that’s where someone like Brendan Smith, a true coffee aficionado, comes in.
Brendan clearly remembers the first sip of espresso that sparked his lifelong passion. It was indelibly impactful, a full sensory experience. When asked about it, he recalls the moment immediately and with total clarity. Decades ago, in Gulfport, Florida, at the aptly named Java Nirvana, he drank a straight espresso with a “sweet and clean” finish that he’d never experienced before. It wasn’t bitter at all and didn’t even need to be chased with water. That taste opened up to him the possibilities that exist in the crafting of coffee.
Later in life, in his role as director of retail operations for a coffee company, he would represent that very brand of bean. This full-circle moment cemented the interconnected nature of the coffee world and brought that priceless feeling of knowing you’re doing exactly what you were meant for.
Now, as a world-class coffee consultant, he derives immense joy from shepherding coffee shop owners through the process of opening or refining their spaces. Brendan finds professional satisfaction in improving operational efficiency, as his vast knowledge can perceptively pinpoint small tweaks to cast large reverberations. His clients span the gamut, from brand-new entrepreneurs as young as nineteen to seasoned retirees. Some are based in Georgia, while others hail from all over America. Regardless of background, Brendan has observed that we all have hang-ups, especially in business, and resetting our mindset helps revitalize success. There’s a set of similar fears that Brendan helps address and eradicate. At the end of the day, he offers tools so they can offer “great coffee and great hospitality” to their desired customer base. “I’m always rooting for their success,” Brendan says.
A self-proclaimed “people person,” Brendan extends his expertise and love of human connection to the wider Chamblee community through his family’s Back Porch Coffee get-togethers. Nowadays, neighbors rarely have the opportunity to meet each other, for as a culture, we have slowly become more isolated and siloed. These local events began a couple of years after Brendan and his family moved to Chamblee in 2022.
The first Back Porch Coffee began as a test run for a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte that Brendan was preparing to present at a wedding show. Quickly, he realized the impact of such a gathering and how much others loved to learn about coffee (and each other). The events instill a sense of community and real connection that many look forward to with eager anticipation. Brendan doesn’t charge for any of the coffee drinks or food, and even refuses tips. The event is fully accessible and will stay that way. It’s an open-hearted way to cultivate connection, and he and his family provide space for other families to gather, with children and fur babies along for the ride. “It's creating real space where people can meet their neighbors,” he says. It’s a rarity to come across an expert who is so generous with their time and resources.
In their home is also a fully adorned “coffee lab,” which contains three bars filled with commercial equipment. He hosts trainings there and now has relationships with different brands, so he can help neighbors and trainees alike attain espresso machines and grinders. Brendan curates a selection of specialty beans from a range of roasters that many neighbors pick up regularly. Outside of official trainings, he once hosted an event alongside equipment manufacturers where his neighbors were able to test drive different espresso machines and brewers. These types of educational, yet lighthearted events, epitomize Brendan’s friendly approach to sharing his craft while providing a true service. He’ll even teach you how to aerate your oat milk better.
To pull an excellent espresso shot, Brendan advises using freshly roasted coffee, emphasizing the importance of checking the “roasted on” date on the bag. Clean, filtered water is imperative. Then, invest in a nice espresso grinder that offers the capacity for micro-adjustments. This will specifically help manage the age of the coffee while combating any potential moisture loss.
Brendan really homes in on the physics of coffee, and his breadth of knowledge is finely-tuned. His cafe operations coaching is highly sought after, and he’s also the go-to person for fully vetted equipment and accompanying training. And of course, you can always meet him and try one of his excellent coffee drinks at Back Porch Coffee, which is dedicated to maintaining a no-barrier-for-entry model. It’s an authentic space for Chamblee neighbors to meet and gather, again and again. “I love community,” Brendan says earnestly. “I just love getting people together.”
“I love community,” Brendan says earnestly. “I just love getting people together.”
...he and his family provide space for other families to gather, with children and fur babies along for the ride. “It's creating real space where people can meet their neighbors,” Brendan Smith.