Mountain Air Roasters Coffee!

Mountain Air Roasters changed hands recently, and the recent feedback shows the strain. Some customers find the inside cold and sparse, more mall than boutique. Others find a couple of comfortable seats and a shaded outdoor area and have a fine time. That inconsistency is the honest read on this downtown Grand Junction shop right now, and it's worth knowing before you make a trip out of it.

The coffee is still roasted on site. The shop carries a veteran-owned background that gets mentioned by regulars, and the staff are willing to walk you through what's roasting on a given day and which roast profile will work for which brew method. That kind of hands-on bean knowledge is the strongest reason to come, and the new ownership has not undone it.

The thing that sets the place apart from most roasters of its size is the in-house green coffee bean energy drinks. These are made from green coffee beans rather than the canned variety you'd find at a gas station, and they're worth trying once if you've never had one. The flavor profile is different from anything you can get prepackaged.

Whole bean coffee to take home is the strongest single play. The 20oz iced mocha gets mixed responses, so don't lean on it as your test order. Espresso drinks have been inconsistent enough that a long-distance traveler shouldn't bet on them.

The fit is bean buyers who want freshly roasted coffee and a knowledgeable conversation about it. The fit is thinner for visitors who care about consistent espresso drinks or guaranteed hours. Several recent customers have run into early closures with no posted warning, so call ahead if you're driving out of your way. Inside those tradeoffs, the bean side of this operation still has something to offer downtown Grand Junction.