Ryan Castelaz

Ryan Castelaz is a drink maker, author, and entrepreneur based in Milwaukee, WI. Formerly an aspiring opera singer, Ryan fell in love with coffee over a decade ago while studying opera in Florence, Italy. His work aims to provide unique and engaging guest experiences that challenge the pre-conceptions of what coffee and tea can be, and seeks to tell the stories of the people, places, and things that occupy his heart.

After four years of building Discourse Coffee in Sister Bay, WI, working hand in hand with roasters, bartenders, chefs, farmers, and foragers, Ryan moved the company, which has been called “the most gonzo, balls to the wall coffee experience”, to Milwaukee, WI in 2021. With the help of partner Sean Liu and their incredible teams, Ryan has grown Discourse to several locations: including one in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, and another in collaboration with the world-renowned Milwaukee Art Museum.

Ryan's work has been featured in Barista Magazine, Food and Wine, Daily Coffee News, T&I Coffee Magazine, Punch Magazine, El Restaurante, Growler, and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel amongst many others, and twice on the Emmy Nominated PBS program "Wisconsin Foodie". He is an in demand consultant in both the hospitality and product development spaces, specializing in process and product innovation, waste reduction, commercial formulation, and business strategy.