Coffee Journal

behind the bar: crema coffee

Nestled in the heart of Meta’s Dublin offices, Crema Coffee is a cornerstone of the company’s coffee scene.  Owned and led by Anthony Ryan, his own lunchtime coffee trips during a previous role served as his gateway into the industry.  "I was working down the docks in a flour mill for 10 years, and at lunchtime, I’d always go get a coffee. The smell of it was what got me into it," he recalls.  His passion grew through home brewing, and when his time at the flour mill ended one Friday evening, he had a barista role lined up for the following Monday. Fourteen years later, Anthony is a trusted name at Meta, serving coffee to tech workers who take their coffee VERY seriously. What's even more impressive is that Crema Coffee has built a loyal, paid customer following despite free coffee stations on every floor. This is testament to the power of great coffee, the irreplaceable role of the café, and the joy of being served coffee by a master barista.  anthony ryan behind the bar at crema coffee the social media connection  Fittingly for someone working out of Meta HQ, Anthony first reached out to Bell Lane through Instagram. What started as a simple follow turned into a long-lasting partnership.  “I took an interest, followed Bell Lane, and kept up with what they were doing. After that, I made contact, and that was it,” he says.  Anthony's story highlights how a single Instagram interaction can spark meaningful connections in the coffee industry. Bell Lane is also active on LinkedIn and TikTok, making it easy for businesses and individuals to connect.  "We gradually took Bell Lane on, starting with a guest, and then eventually it became our house coffee," Anthony recalls.  grab a coffee from anthony if you're ever in meta hq the coffee  Perhaps most importantly, the coffee meets-and exceeds-the high standards expected by Anthony.  “The coffees are clean tasting, really stable, and easy to work with,” he explains.  That said, the bar is always rising. "It feels like specialty coffee is having a moment right now. Years ago, you'd really have to search for good coffee. Now it's in a lot of places and the standards are high," explains Anthony. Not only are coffee shops improving their offerings, but customers are also becoming more knowledgeable.  “A lot of them (Meta employees) have great coffee setups at home, and between here and the Docklands, there are plenty of top-tier coffee spots,” Anthony adds.  Operating out of Meta for a decade, Anthony has made the switch from Grand Canal to Ballsbridge, keeping up with the evolving tastes and expectations of office workers in the capital.    bell lane's retail display in crema coffee the relationship  The partnership is a two-way street. Frontline customer insights provide valuable feedback for Niko Sunko, Head Roaster at Bell Lane.  “I like to check in with Anthony,” says Niko, who prioritises face-to-face connections with partners. “He has a real love of coffee, is passionate about what he does, and genuinely cares. That’s something we love to see in anyone who buys our coffee.”  This hands-on approach to account management pays off.  “I’m really happy with the relationship,” Anthony explains. “They’re engaged, responsive, and don’t take their customers for granted.”  crema coffee at meta dublin sustainability & supply chain  In today’s corporate landscape, companies are increasingly having to scrutinise their supply chains to ensure partners align with their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.  As a Certified B Corp, Bell Lane helps Crema Coffee and Meta meet their sustainability goals.  "Bell Lane being a B Corp is important—it shows they care about sustainability, and that matters to the people here," explains Anthony.  Anthony has also implemented his own sustainability initiatives, reducing waste by switching from plastic to Tetra pack milk, using stainless steel spoons instead of wooden stirrers and choosing compostable options wherever possible. Even coffee equipment is evolving to minimise waste.  “Older grinders could waste 80-90 grams of coffee due to poor design. Now, newer models have tight tolerances and minimal waste,” Anthony notes.    bell lane coffee roasters is one of Ireland's first 100 b corps the future As Crema Coffee celebrates 10 years in business, Anthony looks forward to deepening the relationship with Bell Lane and experimenting with new coffees on the horizon.  "They're engaged, responsive, and always improving. That's the kind of roastery I want to work with," Anthony finishes with. "Anthony knows coffee. We know coffee. It's the perfect partnership," adds Stephen Bell, Bell Lane's Co-Founder and Director of Sales. reach out If you're a wholesale partner looking to connect, reach out to Bell Lane on Instagram or request a callback to explore how we can grow together.  

evalynn: chapter three of our journey

What may look like a simple co-branding project is, in fact, the culmination of years of collaboration, shared passion, and a commitment to excellence in specialty coffee. Welcome to chapter three of our partnership with Niall Weldon, owner at Evalynn Coffee. Check out chapter one on Evalynn’s beginnings and chapter two on our trip to origin, or keep reading to see what’s new. niall weldon, owner of evalynn coffee the brand Like any successful entrepreneur, Niall Weldon has always had a clear vision for what he wanted his coffee shops to be. “We’re trying to break the boundary between being a café and a brand. We want to create a brand out of the café so we can go further with it,” Niall explains. Niall’s nous for brand comes through in everything from the inviting pink branding tones to Evalynn’s social media presence, right through to the coffee shop experience itself. evalynn coffee, drogheda the experience It’s not enough to serve coffee. You have to have a clear vision of what you want your coffee shop to be and make that an everyday experience for people who walk through the door. For Niall, it was about tapping into what he liked and bringing that experience to his customers.  “I want to go into a shop that has four grinders on the bar and a couple of different origins so I can just try them all, because that's what interests me about coffee,” Niall says. Delivering an elevated coffee experience is at the heart of Evalynn’s approach – something that resonates deeply with Stephen Bell, Bell Lane’s Co-Founder and Sales Director. “Obviously when you want to go work for yourself, you have to have a clear goal and plan. Now Niall is setting a certain standard for what high-end specialty coffee can be,” says Stephen. Evalynn’s coffee menu mirrors Niall’s love for fruity, floral, and high-acidity coffees. And, as he puts it himself, Niall favours “funkier” coffees, pushing the boundaries of taste for himself and customers alike. Over time, Niko Sunko, Bell Lane’s Head Roaster, has come to learn Niall’s tastes and preferences, and has gone the extra step when cupping and planning coffees for the future. niko sunko, head roaster at bell lane coffee roasters the relationship “Working with Niko has most definitely been a fantastic experience,” says Niall. With over fifteen years’ experience in the coffee industry, Niko is well placed to help plan upcoming menus and offer his expertise on everything coffee related. “Niall shared his vision with us, and now we source all the coffees for Evalynn, curating his offering to make sure the customer experience is right,” says Niko. The importance of the roaster-café relationship is key at every step, from sourcing to cupping and everything else that adds value to the final cup. For Niall, the trust and collaboration with Niko and the Bell Lane team have been invaluable. “It’s about more than just buying coffee. It’s about having someone who understands your vision and wants to help you achieve it,” he says. As a Certified B Corp, Bell Lane places immense value on relationships with farmers, producers, and coffee shop owners like Niall. And, as sustainability and best sourcing practices become cornerstones of modern business practices, Bell Lane is uniquely positioned to serve the wider coffee industry. the b corp wall in bell lane hq the coffees Coffee drinkers can look forward to a line-up that showcases both diversity and boldness. “The plan with the new coffees is to create a contrast between the house coffee and the bar coffees,” says Niall. With this goal in mind, Niko cupped a range of coffees for Niall, before they ultimately landed on a natural, a supernatural, and a washed. The mix of origins and processes is something Niall is excited for customers to choose from, and taste. As Niko describes, the pink bourbon from Segundo Lazo in Colombia is a “simple classic natural with floral notes and a little sweetness.” The washed option from Ethiopia is “a perfect example of a floral, peachy, pretty Ethiopian.” Meanwhile, the supernatural from Beyou Gersay in Ethiopia is “something that’s on the edge and will give an interesting experience to each coffee drinker,” says Niko. With these new coffees setting a high standard, the partnership is perfectly posed to continue evolving. the latest releases from evalynn coffee the future Niko, Niall, and the team at Evalynn hope to introduce new coffees every three months or so to bring a range of diverse coffees, flavours, and origins to every coffee drinker that enters an Evalynn coffee shop. There are also collaborations planned for Dublin Coffee Festival in April 2025 and, although he can’t say where and when, Niall has ambitious plans to grow Evalynn’s presence into the future. This type of partnership marks a broader shift in specialty coffee toward deeper, more meaningful, partnerships, where roasters and coffee shop owners collaborate to create truly unique offerings. As Stephen predicts, “I think the partnership between Bell Lane and Evalynn is something that you'll see more of in the future.” If you’re a coffee shop owner looking to elevate your coffee offering, this partnership shows what’s possible when there’s a shared vision, mutual respect, and a commitment to doing things better together. stephen bell, co-founder of bell lane coffee roasters