A Community Brewed in Minneapolis: The Heart of Raise the Bar’s Level Up Event
In the heart of Minneapolis, a coffee event did more than brew beans—it wove a tapestry of connection, skill, and purpose. Raise the Bar’s Level Up event, held over three days at Mill City Roasters’ headquarters, became a microcosm of what coffee communities can achieve when they prioritize people over profit. More than 80 baristas, educators, and volunteers gathered to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the craft, proving that the specialty coffee world thrives on shared ambition and mutual respect. The event’s magic lay in its balance of rigor and warmth. Workshops on sensory calibration, like the Cupping 101 class led…