Trail Blaze Coffee Academy was started in July 2021 by long-time coffee trainer Brady Butler. Our mission: to offer high-quality learning experiences for baristas, technicians, and other coffee professionals and enthusiasts.
We offer all SCA Brewing, Barista Skills, and Coffee Technicians Program courses, plus several independent online and hands-on workshops. Over the last 4 years, Trail Blaze has helped hundreds of coffee professionals build useful skills.
Brady Butler is an experienced Authorized SCA Trainer who has been leading barista, brewing, and coffee technician training classes since 2009. Brady holds SCA licenses in Brewing, Barista Skills, Sensory Skills, and Coffee Technicians Program modules.
He has developed and led courses at SCA Expos, World of Coffee, Coffee Fests, SCA Educator Summit in the USA, Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan, Barista Camps in the USA and Taiwan, Roasters Guild Retreat, Coffee Technicians Guild Summits, and numerous cafes and coffee roasters’ training centers.
Developing high-quality coffee training experiences is Brady’s specialty. He was the Lead Author for the SCA’s Coffee Technicians Program Core Modules and co-led the SCA’s Brewing Content Creators Group.
Photo courtesy of the Specialty Coffee Association
Our Training Center
Learning is easier and more fun in the right environment, and that’s what we’ve created in our coffee training center.
This private 2500 sq-ft training space is fully equipped with the top-of-the-line equipment that current and aspiring baristas need to make great coffee.
Our main classroom is spacious and comfortable, with a large projector screen for presentations.
Our hands-on coffee bar features a selection of espresso machines and grinders and can be reconfigured to create barista training, brewing, and tasting stations.
The Trail Blaze Coffee Training Center exceeds the requirements for delivery of all SCA Barista, Brewing, and Coffee Technician Program courses.
Coffee Equipment Variety
We have assembled a diverse and growing collection of espresso machines, coffee grinders, and batch brewing equipment in our training center. Learners in our Coffee Technician Training Camp will gain hands-on experience working on machines from Nuova Simonelli, La Marzocco, Victoria Arduino, Slayer, Rancilio, Ascaso, Bunn, Mahlkönig, Mazzer, and Fiorenzato.
With small class sizes, usually 6 students per session, learners receive individual coaching and plenty of hands-on time using tools and equipment.
Coffee Training Destination
Trail Blaze Coffee Academy has become one of the USA’s most popular destinations for Specialty Coffee Association classes. Since July 2021, we’ve welcomed students from 35 states and US territories and 15 countries. We’ve also awarded over:
- 100 Introduction to Coffee certificates
- 200 Barista Skills and Brewing certificates (Foundation, Intermediate, and Professional)
- 450 Coffee Technicians Program certificates (Foundation and Intermediate)
Check out our list of scheduled and available classes here and you too can join us for an upcoming session.
Visit us!
The Trail Blaze Coffee Training Center is located in Cornelius, NC, USA, about 30 minutes from uptown Charlotte and Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Learners from out of town find Charlotte to be an easy place to visit, with direct flights from many major airports. Our location is a short drive from reasonably priced hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and even a local brewery
Want more information about traveling to Trail Blaze Coffee Training Center and the Charlotte area? Contact us to plan your visit!