About Us

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 from around the world build useful coffee skills.

Brady Butler

Founder and Lead Trainer

Brady Butler is an experienced Authorized SCA Trainer, espresso machine technician, and barista who has been leading barista, brewing, and coffee technician training classes since 2009. Brady holds SCA licenses in Brewing, Barista Skills, and Coffee Technicians Program modules, and is a WQA Certified Water Specialist.

Brady 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 and co-led the SCA’s Brewing Content Creators Group.

Photo courtesy of the Specialty Coffee Association

Destiny Law

Assistant Instructor, Coffee Classes

Destiny is a coffee trainer and consultant based in Charlotte, and founder of coffeedestiny.com. Destiny has been working in the food industry since she was 16 and coffee since 18. Her love for specialty coffee began at Undercurrent Coffee, which led to a career of training baristas and developing educational courses for the public.

At Trail Blaze, you'll often find Destiny leading cuppings, hands-on barista exercises, teaching latte art, and offering a broad range of public-facing community classes.

Gary Robertson

Director, Student Experience

Gary is a recently-retired project manager and executive recruiter based in Loudon, TN.

At Trail Blaze, Gary runs the info@ inbox, helps prospective students find the right class for them, and maintains our class rosters. If you've registered for a class in the last year, you "met" Gary when he welcomed you and shared some helpful tips to enjoy your stay.