{"id":206213,"date":"2025-10-07T04:13:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T04:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/206213\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T04:13:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T04:13:24","slug":"how-red-cat-birmingham-breadworks-owner-mike-mcelwain-helped-brew-magic-city-coffee-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/206213\/","title":{"rendered":"How Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks owner Mike McElwain helped brew Magic City coffee culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"redcatbirminghambreadworksmikemcelwainMike McElwain, Owner of Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

When Mike McElwain first set foot in Birmingham in 2002, the city\u2019s specialty coffee scene was still in its early chapters. Today, as the owner of Red Cat Coffee <\/a>and Birmingham Breadworks<\/a>, Mike\u2019s influence is woven through the city\u2019s caf\u00e9 culture from the beans roasted each morning to the sustainable practices shaping the future.<\/p>\n

We sat down with Mike to learn more about his journey in coffee roasting, running businesses and practicing environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n

From Alabama to Colorado<\/p>\n

Mike grew up in a small Alabama town off Highway 31, just three hours south of Birmingham. His father was a forester, and environmental stewardship was part of everyday life. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe learned how to respect the environment in a way that made it enjoyable and practical.\u201d <\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

That early appreciation for natural resources led him to study Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University, where he met his wife, Aileen.<\/p>\n

After graduating in 1998, job opportunities in his field were scarce. Mike traveled to Mississippi and during his downtime, he stumbled into the world of coffee\u2014a hobby that would soon become a lifelong vocation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mentor ended up being a retired postal worker from Orange Beach, California who was absolutely gung ho about coffee. He gave me every book in his library. He could tell I was hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

Roasting roots in Birmingham<\/p>\n

\"redcatbirminghambreadworksmikemcelwain<\/p>\n

\"redcatbirminghambreadworksmikemcelwain
\nAt O\u2019Henry\u2019s, Mike McElwain set his roots in the Birmingham coffee scene. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

Mike\u2019s early years in coffee were shaped by hands-on learning and travel to coffee events in Atlanta, New Orleans and beyond. By 1999, he was fully immersed in the craft. A few years later, Randy and Mary Adamy, former owners of O\u2019Henry\u2019s Coffees, recruited him to Birmingham.<\/p>\n

At O\u2019Henry\u2019s, Mike became a behind-the-scenes force\u2014roasting coffee, managing wholesale operations, training baristas and consulting on caf\u00e9 design. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe had over 100 wholesale accounts that we managed on a regular basis on top of the cafes, and I was essentially the Education Department.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

For nearly two decades, Mike helped shape Birmingham\u2019s growing taste for specialty coffee. But by 2019, he was ready for a new challenge. That fall, he and Aileen officially took the helm at Red Cat Coffeehouses, a beloved local brand with locations at Pepper Place, Railroad Park and UAB Highlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cOwnership was a welcome challenge for my creative side. You have to be a bit of a jack of all trades to be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

More than a cup of coffee<\/p>\n

\"redcatbirminghambreadworksmikemcelwainAccording to Mike, coffee is a practice of environmental appreciation. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

For Mike, coffee is more than a product\u2014it\u2019s a bridge between memory, culture, community and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think for me, coffee is a sense of nostalgia. I have a sense of nostalgia with it, because my grandmother owned a shop in downtown New Orleans when I was a little kid.<\/p>\n

Coffee is able to transport you to some other place and time, whether it be we want to connect to where that coffee was grown, or maybe a memory, because coffee, like food, has a sensory map in your brain. It remembers very specific things based on taste. It\u2019s a welcoming place, a melting pot of people. You can bring all cultures, all types, into one space to enjoy a product.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

That philosophy extends to how he runs his businesses. Red Cat and Birmingham Breadworks are Gold Level members of the Alabama Environmental Council\u2019s EAT (Earth Aware Team) program, a local initiative promoting sustainable restaurant practices.<\/p>\n

Mike has worked to cut down on single-use plastics, switch to reusable mugs and reduce straw consumption across his caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re selling 1,000 drinks a day, how can we make a move to reduce our waste? It\u2019s a choice and a mindset shift, but it can be done. Sure, now we have dishes we have to wash, but we have far fewer things going in the trash as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

Brewing Birmingham history: The Landmark Series<\/p>\n

\"redcatbirminghambreadworksmikemcelwainRed Cat\u2019s Landmark Series (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

One of the most creative expressions of Mike\u2019s vision is Red Cat\u2019s\u00a0Landmark Series\u2014a line of coffee blends and labels inspired by some of Birmingham\u2019s most recognizable sites.<\/p>\n

The Landmark Series bridges that gap, blending local history with distinctive flavor profiles. Available online, in Red Cat caf\u00e9s, and even at local Piggly Wiggly grocery stores, the series includes:<\/p>\n

Light Rails\u2014Inspired by Railroad Park featuring a light + fruit-forward roast<\/p>\n

Ironworks\u2014Inspired by Sloss Furnaces, this blend is big, bold + rustic<\/p>\n

Full Steam Ahead\u2014Inspired by Powell Steam Plant featuring a dark + flavorful roast<\/p>\n

Jones Valley Blend\u2014Inspired by Jones Valley Trail + the history of Alabama\u2019s trade + agriculture, this is a balanced medium roast<\/p>\n

Alabama Audubon Blend\u2014Partnering with Alabama Audubon, this blend pays homage to the Yellowhammer, Alabama\u2019s state bird and specifically utilizes only Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next for Mike + Aileen McElwain<\/p>\n

\"redcatbirminghambreadworksmikemcelwainSay hello to Mike at Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks! (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

At 50, with 26 years of experience under his belt, Mike isn\u2019t chasing rapid expansion. He\u2019s focused on refining the businesses he leads and nurturing the teams behind them.<\/p>\n

Aileen plays a crucial role, bringing her background in psychology and education from UAB to support communication, training and operations. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe number one thing we\u2019re dealing with is people\u2014more than the product. Managing people takes a certain finesse and skill set. The most important thing is: be kind, be humble and be patient. Aileen is visionary yet practical, so her help was essential from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

As for the future, Mike is open but measured. <\/p>\n

\u201cMore is not always better. How I use my time is important to me. I get bored easily\u2014that\u2019s dangerous!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike McElwain, Owner, Red Cat + Birmingham Breadworks<\/p>\n

For now, his focus remains on great coffee, sustainable practices and the community that has grown around both.<\/p>\n

Follow Bham Now on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>. Plus,\u00a0sign up for our FREE newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up to date on this and many more exciting new additions to The Magic City!<\/p>\n

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