Espresso yourself
Escape the daily grind with a visit to Big Mountain Coffee Roasters in Lincoln Beach
By Linda Turner Griepentrog
For the TODAY
Roasty, toasty — the aroma of freshly roasted beans hits you even before you open the door to Big Mountain Coffee Roasters. Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or just a casual drinker, you can’t help but be enticed.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, the specialty coffee company was started in 2003 by Depoe Bay entrepreneur Brent Duering. Chenoa Torklep, the current owner, began visiting the shop during family vacations to the Oregon Coast, and was one of Duering’s first customers. The shop moved from Depoe Bay to its current location in Lincoln Beach in 2005 and she purchased the business in 2018 after working and apprenticing with During for five years. Torklep attributes her vast coffee knowledge to Duering’s tutelage, still consulting with him today on new coffee blends and ideas for the store.
Big Mountain Coffee Roasters uses only organic coffee beans sourced from small farms around the world that are committed to fair-trade practices. Some of the farms are designated Café Femenino, meaning that they’re women-owned operations. The coffee co-op Torklep works with is always searching for new suppliers throughout the world.
With multiple coffee shops in the area, the thing that sets Big Mountain apart from others is its emphasis on the roasting process. Torklep said the company prides itself on being “a roastery first, and a coffee shop second.”
Roasting is done in only one- and two-pound batches to keep a tight control on the process. Torklep says she often “just watches over the beans because the roasting process is so mesmerizing.” With her years of experience, she can tell by the smell and the sound (think popcorn popping), as well as the color change, when the beans are ready. During the roasting process, the beans expand and crack and the chaff, or husks, are blown into a filter above the roasting container. After the beans are finished with their medium-roasting process, the heat automatically shuts off, but cool air continues to circulate over the beans for three to four minutes to get them to room temperature. The roasted beans are then allowed to rest for 24 hours before any grinding takes place.
If you drop in for a cup of brew, you’ll find two different standard drip coffees available each day, plus another for espresso. In addition to its custom roasted coffee, the shop also sells a variety of teas and hand-shaved hot chocolate, plus fresh-baked items from Depoe Baykery.
You can drink your coffee leisurely at tables in the industrial-style shop, which also offers free wi-fi and magazines for reading. If you’re on the go, there’s a drive-up window, which Torklep said became very popular during COVID, and continues for visitors heading to the nearby beach access.
If you prefer to brew your coffee at home, you can take home bags of 14 different blends, including decaf and half-caf. There are also five flavors of infused coffee beans, including vanilla, hazelnut, pralines and cream, Irish cream, and peppermint chocolate. Beans can be ground to order, depending on your preferred coffeemaker.
After getting hooked on the shop’s coffee while on vacation, many people order it from the website. Mail-order is a good part of Torklep’s business, with freshly roasted orders shipping daily. Big Mountain coffee is also available at Chester’s Market, Bay House Restaurant at Salishan and at Depoe Baykery.
Looking to try something new? Check out the four-ounce bags, perfect for sampling a new flavor. DIY gift boxes are on hand if you want to personalize a present. Other gift suggestions available include mugs, T-shirts, hoodies, French presses and an assortment of local artisan’s works. New T-shirt and hoodie design options will be available to celebrate the 20th anniversary.
Big Mountain Coffee Roasters is located at 3930 Highway 101 in Lincoln Beach (next to Chester’s Market). Hours are Wednesday through Sunday 7 am to 1 pm, but vary seasonally. For more information, go to bigmountaincoffees.com or call 541-764-2195.