Raise your mug—or your glass—at Mountaineer Roasting Company.
West Virginia native Rusty Isaacs, owner of Morgantown’s Mountaineer Roasting Company in Suncrest, is a self-proclaimed coffee nerd. He’s visited coffee shops all over the country and tried all sorts of, in his words, “crazy coffees.” Hoping to grow a business for himself and advance the coffee industry in his home state, he established Mountaineer Roasting Company back in 2017.
Ever since, the shop has continued to broaden its horizons. With a variety of coffees roasted on-site, made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, fresh baked goods, and 15 Morgantown and West Virginia beers on tap, Mountaineer Roasting has a unique combination of products that our community is constantly craving. We talked with Isaacs to learn more.
Q: What sets Mountaineer Roasting apart from other coffee shops?
Rusty Issacs: Our spot itself is very big, open, and bright. We wanted it to feel very welcoming, comfortable, but also modern—not your typical coffee shop with the big cozy couches and stuff. And we’ve also got the bar open in the evenings now, so that’s a little different.
Q: What distinguishes Mountaineer Roasting Company’s roasts from others’?
RI: We do pretty much all light-roast coffees. And what really distinguishes our roasting process is just the preparation and care that goes into it—choosing and tasting the coffees, having top-notch equipment and well-trained employees, and, because of our increase in retail sales, being able to bring in more unique and expensive coffees.
Q: What should we try first?
RI: Well, my favorite drink of all time is the cappuccino. But I can’t deny that probably 80% of our sales are flavored lattes like the Lavender Vanilla—a big crowd favorite. All of our flavoring syrups, which we get from Holy Kakow in Portland, Oregon, are organic and delicious. We also make a great breakfast sandwich. We get all of our bread fresh from Phoenix Bakery twice a week.
Q: Any future directions you’d like to reveal?
RI: We’re now serving some of our favorite craft beers from some exceptional West Virginia breweries. We might also be doing some cocktails and maybe even some whiskey events soon. That’s just what we’re passionate about—coffee, beer, bourbon, and adding value to the daily lives of the people here in Morgantown.
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