Build-Outs from near, Build-Outs from far—we’ve always loved the global, wide-ranging, endless discovery engine of this feature series, and its ability to take us (and our readers, who are us) to different corners of this big blue marble. But in the United States, one corner that’s gone sorely underloved in Build-Outs over the years is the great state of Maine. Yes, Maine, with its 1.4 million inhabitants, is home to a very cool coffee scene, and we’re thrilled to profile a new coffee bar there in today’s feature.
Tern Coffee & Tea are actually *not* new—they’ve been in business for nigh-on 20 years—but now they’ve opened up a coffee lab in downtown Brunswick (just 30 miles up the coast from Portland), and there’s a lot to be excited about. Let’s take a closer look!
As told to Sprudge by Chris Townsend.
The 2025 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Ceado, and Dona.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
We have been in coffee for over 18 years roasting and sourcing for companies on both coasts. We also run our tech business Coastal coffee tech where we service northern New England, this is changing to coffee accounts only with our new direction but still a focus on tech and equipment support. With this new iteration (Tern Coffee & Tea) we are focusing on sourcing relationships in Mexico and El Salvador as well as teas from Yunnan, China. We also have been focused on sustainability in production and packaging utilizing an infrared electric roaster, packaging our beans in beer cans and using compostable to go cups. We also have created a vacuum brewing system for our cold coffee extracting a 12% concentrate for still and nitro while also dabbling in freeze drying for a house made instant.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
Coffee lab in downtown Brunswick, Maine hosting retail and commercial clients for drinks and cuppings of coffee and tea. We focus on taking the time to explore our offerings and talk about our sourcing and farm partners.
What’s your approach to coffee?
Sweet, well developed coffees that showcase the beauty and skills of our farmer partners. Basically from a roasting perspective we are looking to preserve sweetness and overall balance and our unique electric roaster allows us to achieve this with consistency.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
Rubasse 3kg infrared roaster. Custom built high vacuum extraction system. Dalla Corte Mina. Ceado grinder. DF83V single dose grinder. Tone 3 brewer with custom basket for 2L brews. Oktober seamer for whole bean coffee in 16oz cans. Custom built nitro system utilizing 3L bag in box concentrate mix system. Yama cold drip tower
How is your project considering sustainability?
Equipment and packaging choices. Farmer relationships with pre buy commitments. All equipment is on demand with nothing left on overnight. No plastic cups/lids/straws. all cold cups are good cup home compostable.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
5/20/25
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
All done in house!
Thank you!
The 2025 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Ceado, and Dona.
