UK Barista Champ to open craft beer and coffee venue in Bath

The UK's 2014 Barista Champion Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood will open a new craft beer and speciality coffee venture in Bath later this month.

Colonna & Hunter will be the second venue from the twice crowned Barista Champion, who already runs coffee shop Colonna & Small’s in Bath’s Queen’s Square with his wife Lesley.

The pair have teamed up with follow coffee enthusiast James Hunter for this latest venture, which will open in Bath’s popular dining and shopping district Milsom Place and offer an extensive selection of hand-picked craft beers alongside specialist single-origin coffees.

“The selection will be carefully considered; we will look at ingredients, at the provenance of the hops and malts that contribute to the character of the beers,” said Colonna-Dashwood.

He added that he wanted to create a “third space” for people to enjoy beyond their home or office.

Colonna & Hunter’s ‘light and contemporary’ interior will incorporate strong materials set against the Bath stone walls and vaulted ceilings.

All staff will be trained to offer high level of expertise on the coffee and craft beers on offer, with a focus on customer advice and guidance. 

“People really love the fact that we want to do things well and encourage them to taste new things,” said Colonna-Dashwood.

“We try to create an environment that fits with their lifestyle with a passion for our product that reflects their own values”.

Ken Elliott, director of Milson Place, said: “Everyone enjoys spending time in Milsom Place and we are confident that the Colonna & Hunter venture operated by the UK’s number one barista adds an exciting new dimension to our outstanding collection of restaurants.”

Colonna & Hunter will open in Bath’s Milson Place on October 27.