A Coast Press Feature with Brandon, Founder of Brew Coffee

One night, I just found myself at Brew Matawan. I was there to check out the local poetry scene and hear some musicians. I really enjoyed the energy in the room. I even saw a few familiar faces that I hadn’t run into in a while. As I watched the night unfold, I recognized Brandon reading on stage. I remembered seeing him at poetry nights in different venues before, and for the longest time, I assumed he was just a local poet who convinced the owners to host events.

But eventually, it clicked: this was his place.

And that, to me, was amazing. There was no ego in the way he presented himself. He wasn’t front and center trying to be the star of the night. He was just part of the community, part of the moment. As a musician myself who remembered how difficult it was to find venues without pressure or door sales, it meant something to see a spot like Brew that welcomed people without charging at the door, sharing good drinks and good times instead.

Over the years I’ve stopped by Brew many times, and every time, Brandon has been warm, friendly, and humble. I’ve always admired how he’s opened his front room to serve as a sanctuary for creatives, giving people a space to gather, perform, write, talk, and feel welcome. Some nights the place is quiet and perfect for getting work done on a laptop. Other nights it fills with poetry, stories, laughter, and warm conversation.

What he’s created here is something rare: a true community hub powered by independent spirit, local craftsmanship, and genuine care.

After spending time in the shop and getting to know him over the years, Brandon and I sat down to talk about Brew’s four-year journey and the mission behind it.

Enjoy the conversation below.

Q&A WITH BRANDON OF BREW COFFEE

Q1: So before we get into the big picture, I want to start here. You opened in a really wild time. What was going through your mind when you decided to build Brew right in the middle of peak COVID?

Brandon:

“Very interesting, because I chose to do some of my things to prepare the space right in peak COVID time. If I waited for the perfect moment, it might never happen. Matawan needed a place that felt grounding again. Opening during that period taught me how important it was to build Brew around community from day one.”

Q2: I’ve seen everything from poetry nights to board game days to book clubs here. You’ve built this rhythm where people always know something is happening. What made you want to focus so heavily on events?

Brandon:

“I always like to say I sell coffee so I can host events. The events are the heart of this place. They bring in different people, and everyone finds a piece of themselves here. Some come for open mic nights, others for board games or tastings. It’s become a space where people can feel welcome without needing nightlife or alcohol.”

Q3: One thing I always notice when I walk in is how many independent roasters you carry. You rotate local brands constantly. Why is that important to you?

Brandon:

“It’s the core philosophy of Brew. We carry locally sourced Reposo coffee and teas from Siren Essentials. It keeps things fresh and helps build real relationships with independent makers. There are so many talented small roasters out there. A café should bring people together, not just sell a product.”

Q4: And then of course there’s the Brew look. The New York City subway influence is everywhere. Can you talk about how that became part of the identity of the shop?

Brandon:

“I grew up in Brooklyn and took the subway every day. It’s part of who I am. When I opened Brew in Matawan, I wanted to blend that with the local charm here. The menu design, the art, the colors, even the exterior details all connect back to the subway system. It’s a mix of both worlds.”

Q5: Before we wrap — for anyone reading this, what should they keep an eye out for next at Brew? What’s coming up that people should be excited about?

Brandon:

“Poetry in the Port is our bi-monthly open mic series. Our December dates are Saturday, December 13 and Saturday, December 27. I’m excited for that. Every session brings new voices and new energy. We also have tastings and collaborations planned for the new year.”

A note from the editor.

It’s places like this that are precisely why I do what I do here with the Coast. Because there are countless pillars of the community who don’t seek praise or spotlight for the ways they help people, encourage creativity, or bring everyone together. Many of these acts are selfless. And it is always a pleasure to connect with people like Brandon, and places like Brew Matawan, for exactly these reasons.

They are worthy of your dollar. They deserve your patronage.

And I feel strongly about this: many of the mainstream corporate coffee conglomerates do not offer the level of care, quality, compassion, or clean product that you would find at an independent barista like Brew Matawan. So I always recommend supporting local over the handful of large chains that probably don’t know your name, don’t care how your day was, and don’t really invest in your community beyond the storefront.

If you want more value for your money, more connection, and more support for the people who live and work around you, then shop local. Support your neighbors. Build community together.

Without places like these coffee shops, what do we really have?

Just houses, deliveries, and a rotating cycle of consumerism.

Connection comes from here.

So drink better coffee.

And drink it locally.