Keith Gehrke Leading New Roasting Ops for Berkeley’s Local 123

Bagged Local 123 coffee. Facebook photo by Local 123.

Berkeley’s beloved Local 123, which opened in 2009 as a multi-roaster shop then switched exclusively to Four Barrel under the guidance of owner Frieda Hoffman, is now roasting its own.

The cafe began selling and brewing its own branded beans two weeks ago, offering a “Union Blend” espresso, as well as a number of roasted coffees supplied by Seattle’s Atlas Coffee Importers. The roasting operation is being run by Keith Gehrke in his Pacheco, Calif., workshop.

(more: Cosmo Kramer and the Artis Coffee ‘Live Roast Experience’)

Gehrke previously roasted for Flying Goat Coffee and Coava Coffee Roasters — both of which were carried by Local 123 — before he founded Able Brewing, makers of the Kone filter, a company he still runs.

For More:

East Bay Express

San Francisco Weekly

Local 123 on Facebook