Barrel House Coffee Company Combines Bourbon and Coffee Flavors to Create a Unique Experience

From aromatic hot black coffee to delectable frozen Nutella with whipped cream, coffee is something that many people can enjoy. A great place to find a variety of delicious options is at the Barrel House Coffee Company.

Located in the heart of Downtown Ball Ground, Georgia, Barrel House specializes in unique blends of coffee. Instead of processing their coffee beans like other coffee roasteries, Barrel House ages the unroasted coffee beans in freshly dumped bourbon barrels. This gives the coffee a wooden, oaky undertone that lowers the acidity of the coffee. Any alcohol the green coffee absorbs during the barrel-aging process evaporates when roasted, leaving only the unique flavors and aromas of the dumped bourbon barrels behind. They roast their coffee in-house and use only premium quality beans.

Barrel House is veteran-owned and has a quaint, rustic atmosphere. The owners, Katie and Ryan Turnage started working out of their previous partner’s garage to perfect the barrel-aging process. The innovative idea for barrel-aged coffee began when James and Nicole Howard, the Turnage’s previous partners, were inspired to combine their love of coffee with their business of making barrel tables. After realizing their idea was a success, the Howards started selling it in a Ball Ground gift shop, which is how the Turnages and Howards became acquainted. It wasn’t long until the two couples joined forces.

Once they gained a following, the owners began selling their coffee at the Canton Farmers Market. And on Dec. 8, 2018, Barrel House Coffee Company officially opened its doors in Ball Ground. The shop has been serving up quality coffee to the community ever since.

However, Bourbon flavors aren’t for everyone, so Barrel House offers regular cups of coffee as well. Both types are available in regular and decaf.

Barrel House offers a variety of non-coffee options as well such as teas, hot chocolate, frozen lemonade, matcha, and chai. They also have delicious pastries from Paula’s Zzerts, a local Canton bakery.

Customers can purchase barrels, barrel parts, bourbon bullets, magnets, hats, tumblers, keychains, and t-shirts. Additionally, if customers purchase a hat, tumbler, keychain, or t-shirt and bring it in for their next visit, they can get 20% off of their drink!

Barrel House has a reward system for their regulars featuring a punch card. For every 10 drinks bought, one is free! Customers can get their card punched with each drink purchase.

One of the best things about Barrel House, aside from their delicious beverages, is their phenomenal employees:

Ashton Martin, one of the newest baristas, says that “the bond between customers and staff” is what makes Barrel House unique.

Favorite Drink: Iced Salted Caramel Brown Sugar Barrel-Aged Americano

Kevin Yardis has been working at Barrel House for about a year and a half. He enjoys working there because “I really enjoy making coffee. I have learned and still learn a lot about coffee working there.I also like talking to people and getting to know them. The connection you get to have with regulars is amazing. I have gotten to meet a lot of great people.”

Favorite Drink: Holiday Mocha Latte made with Hot Chocolate Powder, Peppermint, and Espresso.

Autumn Smith has been working at Barrel House for 2 years. She says Barrel House strives “to build relationships with each person walking in the door, and they also put a lot of their own personal time into the product they sell. I appreciate how grateful they are for not only their team but the customers that keep it running too”.

Favorite Drink: Iced Americano with Brown Sugar, White Mocha, and Salted Caramel, topped with Cream

Baylee Watt has been working at Barrel House for 2 years. She describes the Barrel Aging process as “a new experience for coffee lovers to enjoy.” She also says that Barrel House has “provided a beautiful community for our regulars and employees. When I run into my regulars outside of work, I acknowledge them like they were family. One could not put a price on what we’ve built together.”

Favorite Drink: Barrel-Aged Latte with Toasted Marshmallow & Brown Sugar

Timothy Crane has been working at Barrel House for 3 years. He has been with Barrel House the longest, and he says “I’ve never enjoyed work more and you can’t put a price on that.

Favorite Drink: Black Coffee

If customers want to bring Barrel House to their home, they can buy bags of their whole bean coffee in-house or on their website. Worldwide shipping is available. Additionally, if customers purchase coffee at Barrel House’s shop, they have the option to have it freshly ground for them.