The most impressive thing Victor from Alley Brew Co did wasn’t pouring a piccolo with a perfect swan. It was doing it four times in a row.
The small cup makes it difficult to set the canvas and pour the intricate pattern. It requires expert control of milk texture and temperature as well as a perfectly pulled shot of espresso. That is exactly what we got when we visited Alley Brew Co on Bank Street, Adelaide.
The hole in the wall is nestled a few minutes walks from Adelaide train station and is well worth the detour on your daily commute. They serve a small selection of drinks, including classics expected of a specialty coffee shop and a few hand-crafted extras. That small selection keeps the experience consistent and thoughtful.
They don’t try to chase trends, instead focussing on crafting drinks which complement the coffee perfectly. “We create when inspiration strikes!” Victor says, “We don’t create just for the sake of it; every new recipe we explore needs to bring out something more in the coffee.”
You can’t go wrong with anything you order at Alley Brew Co. But if you are looking for something a little different, you can try the Victors signature drink. The Rose Flat white. “I love how a good classic coffee pairs with gentle floral notes. It adds something special without taking away from the coffee itself”. That sentiment really summarises the Alley Brew Co experience. The star of the show is great coffee made masterfully.
We were surprised by their choice to work with the ubiquitous ONA coffee but, after further research, ONA and Alley Brew Co share the same coffee philosophy. To let the coffee take centre stage, “We came across ONA while exploring different coffees and were blown away by the quality and variety. We love how they let the coffee speak for itself through its natural notes and processing, rather than relying on added infusion.”
That focus on quality coffee that speaks for itself leaves more time for other central aspect of a thriving coffee shop. The customers. Even if you hit the back of a queue during a busy lunch hour, you won’t be waiting long, and the speed doesn’t come at the cost of quality. “Our customer’s experience is our biggest priority, always,” and you can rest assured that if you find yourself in need of a coffee, you’ll struggle to do better than Alley Brew Co.
“For us, it’s about sharing what specialty coffee can really be without losing the authenticity that makes it special.”
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