Bean Werks Coffee & Tea

This is one of maybe 3 – 5 contenders for very best coffee in Asheville. With a few caveats…
First off, avoid the f**ing hazelnut flavored coffee (or any other flavored coffee). That’s a no brainer.
I have no idea why they sell flavored coffee in 2015. I guess because it sells. Probably to the same people who buy storage lots of vintage General Mills International Coffees off of Ebay and still wax rhapsodic about some waiter on the Seine named «Pierre» (oooh, Pierre!!). Ignore that for the moment. We’ll get back to it later.
Second, it’s loud as Thor’s hammer and there’s seating indoors for exactly 3 people.
Third, it’s a cash only establishment.
So when I insist it’s right up there among the best coffee bars in Asheville, surely there must be some quality that redeems them. And there is.
This is a shop where people really give a care about coffee. Even by Asheville standards. They roast their own single origin beans, and brew them on the spot. You get the feeling they’re making coffee to be neighborly, as a courtesy to people walking by – not because they have to. Their brews pay ample respect to the coffee beans. They’re not dilletantes. They know what they’re doing. Their Café Con Leche, in particular, is worth the trip, the noise, and the inconvenience.
While you’re there, buy a couple of pounds of fresh roast coffee. It’s worth every penny (and there’s an ATM just down the road).
It would be nice to see these guys join the current millennium, start taking Square payments, and stop making French Vanilla roast. But I respect that they’re probably doing this because of margins, and I accept that.

A coffee roaster that still Flavors the beans… whats up with that? very 1990.
Coffee has more flavor components than wine, why add a chemical to make it taste like French Vanilla? Oh yeah, because the coffee is inferior grade and would taste like tar otherwise…
Try Mt. Air roasters or Mt. City…

I love this place!
Eli roasts the beans and he is absolutely brilliant about the different growing techniques and coffee varietals. My habit is to walk in and ask Eli what he recommends for the day. If requested (and we usually get into an in-​depth conversation) he can break down the entire chain of distribution, the growing climate and the subtle undertones of the coffee. I’ve talked to a lot of people about coffee and I have never met anyone who knows anywhere near as much as him about Coffee.
The real gem of this coffee roaster is their direct from supplier sourcing and the quality of their coffees. My absolute favorite is the West Java coffee. They are currently working with some growers in Sumatra and Mexico (maybe more) to assist with their growing/​drying techniques and to get them a solid foundation into the distribution network.
The one drawback is that it is not designed as a «coffee shop». There really isn’t any seating available. It is more so a walk-​in walk-​out type place.
Pricing is very fair for a small local roaster. Obviously more expensive than Folgers.
This place really has a passion for coffee and an ethical fair trade focus.
In response to the post below. I am not sure why they have Snickerdoodle or flavored coffees. I’ve never tried them and probably never will. It is unfortunate that you completely missed some great coffee opportunities during your visit. I am a layman but I have traveled the world and always try to really find top tier coffee. this places has some of the best. Maybe it really comes down to asking the roaster for his input since their menu is so extensive (easily over 30 options).

I should’ve known by the overwhelming smell of hazlenut that hit me when I walked into the shop. I REALLY should’ve known when I saw they roasted a coffee called «Snickerdoodle», that these poeple clearly didn’t take coffee seriously. Or, they roast coffee for people who don’t like coffee by trying to cover it with sweet desert flavors.
Regardless, I needed some beans while I was visiting town and I opted for their simple «Columbian». I got home and made a pot in the french press, and had the displeasure of tasting some of the worst coffee I’ve ever had in my life. Dirty and stale.
However, the staff was extremely firendly and welcoming. They seem to be great people, who, unfortunately, don’t seem to know anything about real coffee.

Not open until 8am. FAIL. I’m from Seattle. We like our coffee, and we get up early.

Nice way to start the day!!!

Lots of great coffee in W. Asheville. A local shop… tiny. that roasts their own beans for places around town. Worth stopping in to buy their beans cheap. Also the coffee they serve there is cheap and great. Not worth hanging out in… no space really… but a better deal on great coffee.
Cash only.

I love this place. They just got repainted with the cutest coffee beans on their exterior. Just a couple doors down from West End Bakery who serve their coffee, I stumbled upon this unassuming place. They roast their coffee here and have a great selection of course. They have a much bigger selection of coffees than next door which is nice. Also, nice add-​ons for your coffee are available such as raspberry vanilla flavoring.
I’ve only had the coffee, but they also have lattes, espressos, teas, and smoothies.
The only downside is that you will get charged $ 1 for purchases on your card under… I’m not sure how much. I saw two people here wanting the coffee so much that they were counting change. I loved it so much that to get a refill, I went out of my way to come back with change!
Wish they had mugs though because I don’t mind sitting here and drinking coffee while using wi-​fi, but it’s a relatively small place with little seating. Most people just get their coffee and go.
*They came down a notch. They don’t have a bathroom for their customers! That’s a big deal because they serve liquids nor were they too nice about it.

Bean Werks is a combination café and roastery, but it’s not really a relaxing place to sit and have coffee — the roasting side of things can make it rather loud and extremely hot in there.
However, their coffee beans are wonderful. When I lived in Asheville I always got my whole beans here (New Orleans French Roast). Took it home, ground it fresh each day, and had superb coffee every morning. It’s all about the beans, and Bean Werks roasts the best.
The guys who work here are nice too, always offering a smile and a friendly word, especially for the regulars.