Award-winning and purpose-driven coffee
The coffee at The Grosvenor Arms is roasted by Assembly Coffee in Brixton. Here is who they are and why we chose them.
The pub opens at 7am, and for the first few hours of the day the pub runs on coffee. That makes the coffee one of the most important things we serve. So we went to people who take it very seriously.
Who they are
Assembly is a specialty coffee roaster based in Brixton, a few miles up the road. They roast seasonal espressos and a rotating list of filter coffees from around the world, and supply cafés and restaurants across London.
Their team has a habit of winning things. Claire Wallace was UK Barista Champion in 2022 and came third at the World Barista Championship the same year. Alessandro Zengiaro has won the UK Latte Art Championship twice. Nick Mabey was UK Coffee Roasting Champion in 2018/19.
How they do it
Assembly do something most roasters don’t. Instead of printing a list of tasting notes on the bag, they use brushstroke illustrations. The colours stand for broad flavour groups, the strength of the colour for intensity, and the shapes for body and texture. The idea is to suggest what is in the cup without telling you what you ought to be tasting.
They also train baristas, from complete beginners through to professional courses, at their training space in Brixton.
What that means when you come in
From 7am, a proper espresso, a flat white or an americano, made on Assembly coffee. There are plugs, the wifi is quick, and nobody will move you on if you stay for a second cup.
Plugs for Laptops. Coffee for Brains.
The Grosvenor Arms, 204 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18.
The Grosvenor Arms
The house
Posts written by whoever happened to be behind the bar, on the pass or in the cellar that week. We sign them off collectively because that is usually how they get written.
