“Inspire, Innovate and Deliver speciality coffee knowledge to enthusiasts across the globe.”

With a vision to change the way people view coffee, Brewshala has recently celebrated their one year anniversary as they have successfully created a safe space for coffee lovers, café owners, baristas and individuals likewise. We sat down with Mr. Pratik Shrestha the brain behind the success of Brewshala.

Here is how the conversation went.

LET’S START WITH OFF WITH INTRODUCTIONS. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR COMPANY?

I’m Pratik Shrestha, co-founder of Brewshala and I’m an MBA graduate from University of West London. My journey with coffee started even before I went to London. It all started when I enrolled in Himalayan Java’s Barista School and working there for a year after I completed my course. Then after I went to London to do my Bachelors where I worked for companies like Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Grind and many more. In simple words, Brewshala is a coffee hub. We call it a coffee hub because we provide solutions for every problem related to coffee. How did your love for coffee making start

I was never a fan of coffee nor interested in it during my teens. But one day my dad saw this massive ad on a newspaper which said “If you’re planning to study abroad you must have Barista skills”. After this my Dad kept on nagging me to enroll myself in Himalayan java’s Barista School. I was hesitant at first but when he started being really persistent I gave it a try. After I joined my classes and discovered that there are so many sides to Coffee than just brewing, that is the day I truly fell in love with it.

CAN YOU TELL US BRIEFLY ABOUT THE SERVICES BREWSHALA PROVIDES?

So Brewshala is divided into different segments. Firstly there’s Brewshala School and training Centre where we provide courses and knowledge on everything related to coffee. Secondly we have Brewshala Showroom where we sell the best coffee brewing equipment’s in the market.

Whether it be espresso machines, manual brewing devices or general coffee shop needs we have the resources to meet the demand. Then we have Brewshala Roastery where we retail and wholesale coffee beans to our consumers insuring the highest quality and consistency. Lastly, we have Brewshala café. A home to coffee enthusiasts, baristas, creative freelancers and coffee lovers where you can sit back, experiment and unwind, while your coffee gets brewed right in front of you.

WHAT INSPIRED THE NAME BREWSHALA?

“Brew” means the act of brewing and “shala” means a place. So, Brewshala is a place where you can brew.

WHILE I WAS RESEARCHING BEFORE THE INTERVIEW, I FOUND THAT YOU HAVE QUITE THE NUMBER OFF ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER YOUR BELT. COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT IT?

Costa coffee holds an annual competition where baristas from all their branches compete with each other to earn the title of Barista of the year. On the year 2015 I was selected as a candidate and I won the Barista of the year for UK and Ireland and placed 4th overall in the world. I also hold a Specialty Coffee Diploma with SCA from Artisan Coffee School, Ealing London and last I checked I’m the only Nepali holding such a diploma.

IF YOU WERE A CUSTOMER AT BREWSHALA, WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER FROM THE MENU?

If I was a customer at Brewshala I would definitely have the “Ilam Pour Over”. Ilam pour over is basically coffee we’ve sourced from Ilam and roasted to a certain profile and when it is brewed in a V60, it gives out the most clarity of that coffee.

IN YOUR OPINION WHAT MAKES A CUP OF COFFEE GOOD?

It might sound cheesy but in every culinary art, the human touch can make a lot of difference. Same goes for brewing coffee too because the more passionate and knowledgeable the barista making the coffee is, the more it tastes better.

WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR COFFEE BEANS FROM AND WHY?

So we get our beans from The Nepal Coffee Company, previously known as Highland Coffee Beans. They connect us to the farmers and show us their method of production and grading. Then after we receive samples and roast them accordingly. At last we select the best tasting ones from the sample and buy it in bulk.

“IF YOU HAVE PASSION FOR SOMETHING KEEP FOLLOWING IT BECAUSE HELP WILL ALWAYS COME IN THE WAY. SO FOCUS ON YOUR GOALS AND MOVE FORWARD NO MATTER THE DIFFICULTIES.”

WOULD YOU MIND TELLING US ABOUT THE FUTURE ENDEAVORS THAT YOU HAVE PLANNED FORM BREWSHALA?

Brewshala is still in its baby stage and we are still trying ng to figure out where we stand in the Nepal’s coffee industry. But in the future I want Brewshala to be the pioneer in the coffee industry that developed a coffee culture with a distinct Nepali flare.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE BREWSHALA PERFECTLY?

The three words to describe Brewshala are innovate, funky and coffee lovers paradise. It’s not only three words but I think that describes Brewshala perfectly.

LASTLY WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO SOMEONE OPENING THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

I would advise them to be very persistent. If you have passion for something keep following it because help will always come in the way. So focus on your goals and move forward no matter the difficulties.

INTERVIEWED BY PROJENDRA BIKRAM RANA

PHOTOS BY GAURAV XHOMPATE SUNUWAR