Relative Coffee Co. Collaborates With Roast! West Coast for a Midwestern-Themed Coffee

Friday, November 1st, 2024 

Minneapolis, MN—Relative Coffee Company has partnered with the Roast! West Coast coffee network for Yeah, No…Yeah Coffee—the first in a series of coffee collaborations celebrating their shared love for the language of the Midwest.

Yeah, No…Yeah Coffee is a collaborative effort between Relative Coffee Co., helmed by Bryant Banker-Scannell, and Ryan Woldt, the founder of the Roast! West Coast newsletter and host of the Coffee People and Coffee Smarter podcasts. These two Midwestern gentlemen have been striving to uplift the craft of coffee. Yeah, No…Yeah is a coffee love letter expressing their appreciation for the language of their Midwestern brethren.

In the Midwest, the phrase "Yeah, No, Yeah" is often used to mean "yes." This can be confusing for outsiders, but for those in the know, it's a common way to express agreement. For instance, if someone asks "Do you want to try this great cup of coffee?", a person from Midwest might respond with "Yeah, no, yeah," to mean "Heck, yes! I do want to try that great cup of coffee.”

"One of the best things about this collaboration so far is seeing the smile spread across someone's face when I mention the name. "Yeah, No…Yeah.” It is one way those of us far from home can recognize a fellow Midwesterner! Beyond that, this collaboration with Relative, and Bryant, in particular, has felt special. It came together in a very organic way. We met at a coffee convention and continued to run into each other at events around the country. We'd mostly chat about shared passions for riding bicycles, old cameras, and coffee. When Yeah, No was just an idea in my head, Bryant was really the only person who I considered approaching with it because I knew he'd understand it was coming from a place of love for the communities where we grew up," said Ryan Woldt.

“Why are we like this?” Bryant jokes. “These phrases are such an involuntary response. I didn’t even notice I said this as much as I did until Ryan brought it up! When he approached me with this idea, it was very exciting. It’s the first collaboration under Relative, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. Living in different states, I shipped idea samples of the coffee blend from Minneapolis to the West Coast, where we could then brew and taste the coffee in our own spaces. After many Zoom calls, chats at events, and shared [packaging] design files, I think we got it! I am thrilled with what we created together and can’t wait for folks to try it.” 

Yeah, No…Yeah Coffee is a light-medium blend built from two of Bryant and Ryan's favored origins. The Colombia is a single varietal pink bourbon that brings sweetness and depth to the blend. At the same time, the Ethiopia adds a crisp acidity and layered sweetness–like the final garnish of a cocktail. These coffees together create a blend that is juicy and candy-like with notes of black cherry, vanilla, and cola. Fans of delicious coffee and Midwestern turns of phrase can order the Yeah, No…Yeah Coffee blend on relativecoffeeco.com.

When asked about future coffees, the collaborators replied, "Yeah, no…yeah. You betcha!"

Relative Coffee Co. is a project by Minnesota-grown Bryant Banker-Scannell. It combines his passion for roasting, design, and photography to create a fun, welcoming, and tasty brand! Bryant has been working in coffee since 2011 and was voted the best coffee roaster in Minneapolis in 2018. Today, he teaches hundreds of aspiring and inspiring coffee roasters as part of Mill City Roaster's coffee education team, where he also assists with machine setups globally

Ryan Woldt is the founder of Roast! West Coast, a coffee newsletter that is the home of the Coffee People and Coffee Smarter podcasts. Born in Central Wisconsin, Ryan has been a transplant on both coasts but has stayed connected home through his efforts in hospitality. With R!WC, he shares the stories of coffee professionals as they explore the entrepreneurship, creativity, passion, science, and innovation found in the expansive world of coffee.

Continuing the Midwest collaboration, Roastar, Inc., a coffee packaging company based in Woldt's hometown of Wausau, WI, provided packaging for Yeah, No... Yeah Coffee.