Beer From A Barista? Insight Coffee Roasters Joining Trend Of Serving Alcohol In Evening

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sacramento coffeehouses can help you wake up in the morning, but several now want to help you unwind at night.

Old Soul at Weather Stone is best known for its coffee, but in the eyes of the city, it's actually a tavern.

First came the coffee, then two years ago, Old Soul Coffee started pouring something else.

"It's always been an idea to have a beer and wine license here. Especially in the evenings, people don't want caffeine," said manager Greg Gallagher.

But Old Soul also prepares food, so the city calls it a tavern with a Type 41 permit.

But at Insight Coffee Roasters, something else is brewing.

"One of the things we want to do is partner with local breweries and brew coffee centered beers," said barista Lucas Elia.

It's a growing trend with coffeehouses nationwide. Starbucks' specialty shops called Starbucks Evenings added beer and wine to its latte lineup last month.

Regular coffee drinkers like Raphael Delgado say they'll come back here to finish the night.

"Absolutely. I think a lot of great ideas are conceived over a pint and then executed over a cup of coffee," he said.

A senior Sacramento city planner also thinks it's a good idea and expects Insight to win its bottled beer permit on Thursday.

Elia doesn't know how much more business beer will bring in, but they just see it as an added beverage.

"Coffee is our main focus and will always be our main focus," Elia said.

A spokesperson for Starbucks says the coffee company plans to add alcohol to 25 percent of its stores nationwide in the next few years.