THE UNSEEN BEAN COFFEE

Our Story

Gerry Leary began life with less sight but more curiosity. He doesn’t just get by either. He’s become a craftsman, an entrepreneur, and a destination for the most particular coffee drinkers in Boulder, Colorado. There’s other ways to take in your world other than sight. Watch Gerry. Learn more at www.darkrye.com Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/darkryemag and Instagram www.instagram.com/darkryemag

Gerry Leary, founder of the Unseen Bean, has been blind since he was born. But his lack of vision does not stop him from roasting coffee. You don’t need sight to roast coffee, you need a heart, and Gerry has a huge one. Gerry’s love for coffee has helped him overcome every obstacle he’s faced.

While other Coffee Roasters use their eyes to monitor the look of the beans, Gerry roasts with love.

 
 
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In the beginning….

Gerry Leary founded The Unseen Bean in early 2003 with the intention of making the freshest, best-tasting coffee available anywhere. He refused to let his sightlessness keep him from becoming a Master Coffee Roaster, and headed to California to train at the San Francisco’s West Coast Specialty Coffee Company.  

After working as a blind mechanic for 40 years, Gerry decided it was time to trade in his toolbox for a coffee roaster. “I’m very content in the coffee profession. People are upset when their cars break down, but almost everyone is happy with a great cup of coffee.”  

Beginning with only a quarter-pound roaster in a shed in his yard, Gerry logged every roast until he perfected the craft of roasting coffee in the dark. Who says you have to see the color of the beans? Gerry’s potential roasting capabilities were initially doubted. However, he has learned how to observe the sound and smell cues behind roasting excellent coffee with utmost precision.

Gerry is now the world’s only known blind Coffee Roaster.

Nowadays…

Gerry is partnering with Giuseppe and Claudia, two Italians Coffee Lovers and Outdoor Enthusiast, that felt in love with Boulder at first sight and decided to move here up the Mountains where you could spot them hiking, biking, running and enjoying the nature all year round.

Together they opened a new Coffee Roasting Lab where they will be super happy to welcome you and help you choosing between more than 20 different coffees the ones that better meet your taste.

You could meet Gerry and The Team at the Broomfield Lab working with the same energy and passion of the first day!

Spread the word, support Small Business and GO LOCAL!!!