Tucked away on Wolcott Street in downtown Casper sits a humble coffee shop with big dreams. How You Bean Coffeeopened its doors in 2018 with a mission to serve high-quality, locally roasted coffee to the city it calls home. What began as a small operation with just a few varieties of coffee has blossomed into a beloved community coffeehouse.
Owner and head roaster Cole Renner founded How You Bean Coffee after working at a larger coffee company for several years. Cole was born and raised in Casper and saw an opportunity to bring his passion for coffee to his hometown. With his extensive experience and knowledge Cole roasts How You Bean’s beans in-house to create signature blends and single-origin offerings. The shop prides itself on fresh small-batch roasting and direct trade relationships with farmers around the world.
From Humble Beginnings to Community Staple
How You Bean’s cozy 550 square foot space used to be home to a flower shop When Cole first moved in, it was just him, a coffee roaster, an espresso machine, and a dream He started roasting and brewing batches of coffee to sell wholesale to local restaurants and cafes. Business was slow at first, but How You Bean quickly developed a following of regulars charmed by the little shop’s commitment to quality.
As word spread, the wholesale business allowed How You Bean to expand its operations. Just a few months after opening, Cole was able to bring on several part-time baristas The coffee shop also rolled out more coffee offerings like cold brew, specialty lattes, and seasonal features Customers could now grab a fresh cup to savor in-house.
These days, How You Bean is a cherished local favorite. The cozy shop with exposed brick walls and wood accents fills up each morning with regulars and new faces alike. Customers can watch the roasting process first-hand and chat with Cole and his baristas while they brew up fresh cups of joe. Whether it’s quick coffee on-the-go or leisurely catching up over pastries, How You Bean feels like an extension of the community.
Quality Coffee Takes Center Stage
At How You Bean, coffee is an artisanal craft. Each batch of beans is carefully curated and custom roasted to highlight nuanced flavors. Cole works directly with farmers to import green coffee beans before meticulously roasting them on-site. This hands-on approach results in optimal freshness and taste.
The flagship house blend, Bear River Roasters, offers a medium roast bursting with notes of chocolate, toasted nuts, and bright citrus. Beyond the daily house blend, a wide selection of single-origin coffees from places like Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Sumatra rotate through. Seasonal blends like the nutty, velvety Ski Patrol featured in the winter pay homage to Casper culture.
Whether it’s a classic latte, cold brew, or hot-off-the-roaster black coffee, every cup spotlights quality. Espressos are pulled with precision on a top-of-the-line Synesso machine for complex flavor in a velvety shot. Coffee drinks can be customized with housemade almond milk syrups in flavors like lavender, vanilla, and honey sea salt. For a treat, try one of the From Bean to Cone gelato shakes made with How You Bean’s espresso.
Community-Focused Values
At its core, How You Bean Coffee strives to be so much more than a coffee shop. It’s a community space cultivating human connection. When customers walk through the door, they are greeted as friends. Regulars chat about life happenings while others strike up conversations about any topic under the sun. The atmosphere evokes the warmth of visiting a neighbor’s kitchen.
Part of building community means giving back. How You Bean regularly hosts coffee and book drives, fundraisers for local charities, musicians looking to perform, and events like holiday cookie exchanges open to all. During the pandemic, How You Bean provided free coffee and meals to frontline workers to show support and gratitude.
How You Bean also makes room for growth opportunities. The shop offers apprenticeships for aspiring roasters and baristas, guiding the next generation of coffee connoisseurs. Employees feel like family and often stick around for years. By pouring care into every aspect of the business, How You Bean uplifts the neighborhood around its little brick-and-mortar store.
What’s Next for How You Bean?
From day one, Cole’s purpose has been sharing his love of coffee with the people of Casper. With continued community support, How You Bean hopes to expand while retaining its charm. Potential goals include introducing more specialty drinks like pour overs, upgrading equipment, and fostering partnerships with local retailers to increase wholesale reach. Most importantly, How You Bean strives to maintain the welcoming vibe that makes it a go-to coffeehouse.
How You Bean Coffee proves that incredible coffee can be an anchor for connection. More than just an exceptional cup of joe, it represents a comfortable space where everyone is welcome. The little local shop’s commitment to quality and community has cultivated something truly special in Casper’s downtown scene. So stop by How You Bean to experience coffee at its finest. Just be prepared to make some friends along the way.
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How To Grind Coffee Beans
FAQ
How to make coffee bean coffee?
How do you process whole bean coffee?
What are the values of the human bean?
How is a coffee bean different from a regular bean?
They are similar to the beans grown in Brazil only sharper and lighter in taste. The Canephor, or Robusta bean is also grown in many of the same regions. This coffee bean contains more caffeine than the Arabica bean. The Robusta beans contain less oil than the Arabic beans which tend to give them a more acidic and bitter taste.
What type of coffee beans give the strongest coffee?
Some of the best Arabica beans are Costa Rican. They are similar to the beans grown in Brazil only sharper and lighter in taste. The Canephor, or Robusta bean is also grown in many of the same regions. This coffee bean contains more caffeine than the Arabica bean.
What is the best type of coffee bean?
Some of the best Arabica beans are Costa Rican. They are similar to the beans grown in Brazil only sharper and lighter in taste. The Canephor, or Robusta bean is also grown in many of the same regions. This coffee bean contains more caffeine than the Arabica bean.
What plant does coffee bean come from?
A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pip inside the red or purple fruit often referred to as a coffee cherry.