Summer 2026

Noah Reeves’ career in coffee is relatively new, but his roasting skills are such that his delectable beans are served at some of the area’s most notable restaurants. W hen the pandemic halted Noah Reeves’ work as a music instructor, he picked up a job at Captain + Stoker in Monterey. The experience shifted his view of coffee from a bitter drink that requires sweet additions to something more distinct, flavorful and fascinating. “I was totally head over heels for the sen- sory experience and how cool coffee can be,” Reeves says. He invested in a 50-gram tabletop roaster and launched Smooth Coffee Co. in early 2025. Chez Noir, Casanova and Corkscrew Cafe are among local businesses now pouring the brand’s specialty releases. Reeves also sells online and hosts regular sipping sessions at places like Seaside’s Counterpoint Coffee. His recent offer- ings include a single-variety coffee grown by a Colombian family that reinvests in their commu- nity and an organic Ethiopian release with fruit, floral and milk chocolate notes. Reeves has long-term cafe dreams, and he credits his family for supporting his business journey. He currently roasts at a Sand City property where his great-grandfather spent offseasons repairing nets with other fishermen. “We want to honor and respect that fam- ily history by turning the property back into the kind of community space that was open and welcoming for all those fishermen,” Reeves says. For more information, visit www.smoothcoffeeco. com, and for tasting event announcements, follow on Instagram at @smoothcoffeeco. Business is Brewing for Local Coffee Brand B Y R ENE E B R I NCK S SHORT CUTS AT LARGE 90 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 6 Photo: Kelli Uldall