Our Story

Social Brew Coffee Roasters started just over two years ago to increase our organisations' community impact while maintaining high coffee standards and ensuring an ethical supply chain. At the same time, we wanted to stay committed to supporting local communities and always endeavouring to do as much good as possible.

The name “Social Brew” reflects the dual nature of what coffee represents. Coffee is inherently social—it’s a commodity that brings people together and fosters connection. Beyond just the drink itself, coffee has the power to drive social impact and change. We not only produces ethically sourced specialty coffee, but also actively works to create positive social change in the community. Through every cup, we are brewing both exceptional coffee and a meaningful impact.

As we have developed Social Brew, one of the goals has been to further strengthen our social impact. Through our social enterprises we have had a long-standing partnership with Alkira Disability Services, and this collaboration opened up opportunities with Social Brew and so Alkira took on the packaging aspect of the roasting process. This partnership has provided meaningful work for Alkira participants and contributed to the roastery’s success.

For over 7 years now our organisation has been supporting asylum seekers and with the growth of Social Brew came increased delivery demands, creating further employment opportunities for asylum seekers to gain employment and support, which aligned with Social Brew’s impact goals.

 The roastery is currently focused on roasting specialty coffee from Brazil and Colombia, regularly offering selected single-origin beans for both espresso and filter extraction. Derek Bradshaw, who leads the roasting efforts, had the privilege of being trained by Paul Benetti, a renowned coffee roasting expert and qualified Q Grader. Paul’s guidance and expertise have been instrumental in developing Social Brew’s unique roast profiles, helping to achieve the exceptional quality and flavour that customers have come to love.

The rapid growth of the Social Brew roastery has been exciting, and our coffee is now being brewed and sold in various cafes, schools, and businesses. The roastery has even expanded its reach, regularly shipping coffee to a community development project in Adelaide, South Australia. Customers have embraced the taste and quality of the coffee, with the added satisfaction of knowing that their consumption contributes to positive social impact. Through every cup, we are not only enjoying exceptional coffee but also supporting a meaningful cause.

There’s a growing demand among consumers for ethical products, and Social Brew is meeting that need in an industry that is often highly competitive and profit-driven. What sets us apart is that it’s not just about the profits - it’s the daily operations and commitment to social impact that make a real difference. By choosing Social Brew, you’re supporting ethical practices and community initiatives. You can get involved and make a positive impact by enjoying a coffee at one of our cafes, picking up some beans in-store, or purchasing coffee at our online store. Just click on the store tab at the top of the page.