Party People - Brass Monkey

We’re back with our first Party People instalment of 2023. Formerly known as Coffee Spotlight, for those new to the party it’s where we sit down with one of our awesome wholesale customers to talk about how our coffee works for them and their business.

Kicking off the year is Warren Lipman, owner of Brass Monkey coffee shop in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Brass Monkey is still in its first year of business but, thanks to the hard graft of Warren and his team and the fact they’re the only purveyor of speciality coffee in the village, it’s already become a much-loved hub within the community.

What’s the concept?

It’s about bringing together a love of coffee, art and music to create a community destination in our beautiful village, focussing on sustainability and the best produce from local and other partners within the UK.

 

Who’s involved?

It’s me, my wife Michelle and our good friend Vikki. Vikki is our manager, and we are blessed to have her and her incredible team. Alongside selling art and coffee, I’m also busy running my IT company of 20 years (plus a few other things!).

 

Where did it all start, and where are you heading?

We officially opened in March 2022, but the dream was born many years before. As a lover of speciality coffee, I was a regular in all the new locations in and around London, as well as an avid London Coffee Festival visitor (incidentally where I first met The Roasting Party team). I soon identified a need for speciality coffee in a town only served by high street chains – which I personally would never buy from. It was only when my own home espresso machine (a Rocket R58) broke down, that the idea really began to gather momentum. This passion for excellent coffee, twinned with a love for music and collecting art, gave birth to Brass Monkey – The Art of Coffee.

We’re heading towards a possible expansion of the first site and perhaps more locations, but for now we’re enjoying it and very happy with this buzzing community destination that serves the best coffee and atmosphere in the area. An unintentional benefit is also the lack of WIFI (as its terrible!) which means our customers all end up chatting and speaking with the team, and one another, which has created a much-loved community – it’s a vibe!

 

How did you find out about us?

I first met the team at the London Coffee Festival back in 2012/3 and became an instant fan. I’ve been a home user for around 10 years now and I’m hugely passionate about the brand, just ask Kirby (who I fondly call the coffee unicorn!).

 

How long have you been serving The Roasting Party coffee?

We’ve been serving The Roasting Party coffee in our own home for nearly 10 years, and at Brass Monkey since its opening in March 2022.

 

Do you have any tips or trade secrets on how to make the perfect cup?

 Unlike most 2:1 ratio coffee beans, The Roasting Party coffee works best at 1:1 for the smoothest, nuttiest and most velvety ristretto in the land! It’s that simple. If you get this right every coffee that leaves the deck is sublime. Consistency and excellence are our ethos along with a no quibble policy – if for any reason it isn’t your perfect cup – we will do everything to make it exactly how you want it. It’s that personal and important to us.

What do your customers say about your coffee?

We’ve converted many who now say they don’t know what they did before Brass Monkey! We have built, and continue to build, a fiercely loyal community who just rave about the flavour profile and variety. We are based in Hertfordshire but have customers as far as Luton and Crystal Palace!

 

And finally, what’s your go-to coffee order?

For me, it’s between The Captain and Drake, or our special Brass Monkey blend Hokey Pokey. Just give me a double espresso or ristretto and I’m in heaven.