Brett Roland, Creator of laneway cool, Brew Cafe & Wine Bar
Challenge, critique, push the boundaries, learn from your mistakes, live and love ...
Huddled at the back of a dumpster-filled alleyway in the city, Brew has grown from a strip of astroturf rolled out across the concrete and a coffee machine plonked in the corner to a constantly buzzing cafe of breakfast and lunch essentials by day and a slinky wine and tapas bar by night. City folk slink in for a sneaky lunchtime beverage and bowl of meatballs in the dimly lit back den, while students grab a milk crate and park themselves in the laneway, multi-tasking while soaking up some sun and much needed caffeine. The first resident of Brisbane’s first laneway, Brew has been a pioneer in shaping not only the Burnett Lane vibe, but Brisbane’s culture. The Weekend Edition caught up with owner Brett Roland to talk weekends with the family and his other favourite coffee joint.
How do you like to start your weekend?
Friday evening usually starts with a quick stop in at Brew, then off home for a quiet glass of pinot noir and catching up with a few programs on ABC iview and TED talks.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Definitely going for a bike ride for a few hours with my mates, chewing the fat about the good old days when we were racing bikes. Then head off to Urban Grind with my daughters for what they call “coffees” and “adavacardo toast”.
How do you like to unwind?
A spin on my bike, watching/listening to podcasts. I also love spending time with my partner and kids playing games, watching movies or hanging out at the park.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Time with family, nice long bike ride and a few glasses of red with friends.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Wash the car, clean the house, weed the garden … all the chores you know that need to be done but really don’t want to do.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Relaxing with my partner reflecting on the weekend and pretending the week of work ahead is not inevitable.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Seriously, just relaxing with my girls and watching time pass by.
What are you reading at the moment?
Highly intellectual – the latest edition of RIDE magazine.
What inspires you?
So many things … the everyday people who have the courage to be themselves, stand up for their beliefs and fight for a fairer and just world. Generally, the world around me in all its beauty.
What was your childhood dream?
To spend my life hanging out with my friends and family and having enough money to travel when and where I wanted.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Helping to create a loving, supportive, respectful environment for my two daughters to live and grow. Also seeing Brew grow from vision to reality.
What is success to you?
Being comfortable with who I am and what I have achieved through life.
What are your words of wisdom?
Challenge, critique, push the boundaries, learn from your mistakes, live and love.
Only a local would know … when ordering takeaway toast or sandwiches at Brew, our chefs will hand deliver it wrapped as an alfoil swan.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … when not at Brew, definitely Urban Grind
Relax … Pencil Park (as the kids call it)
Dine … Peasant at The Barracks
Indulge … My local bike shop
Shop … Gstar, Brisbane City
Catch-up … on my back deck with friends.
Be inspired … West End, chatting with mum