Barista Favourites: Behind the Counter at Busselton's Drive-Through

It's 6:30am on Bussell Highway, and the first cars are already rolling up to Brew Plus for their morning Yahava fix. Tradies heading to job sites, parents on the school run, commuters starting the day, all queuing for drive thru coffee in Busselton. Locals see the friendly faces at the window every morning, but most have never heard what those baristas actually drink or how they keep every cup so consistently good.

This article pulls back the curtain on Busselton's favourite coffee drive-through. You'll discover what the baristas order when they're making their own drinks, the little tweaks they use to dial in flavours, and tips on how to order your coffee like a regular at Brew Plus. Whether you're after a classic flat white or want to experiment with something new, here's your insider guide to the team behind the window.

Inside Busselton's Favourite Coffee Drive-Through

Brew Plus is more than just a bottle shop. It's a liquor and coffee drive-thru with experienced baristas serving Yahava coffee, roasted locally in the Margaret River region at Yahava KoffeeWorks. The coffee side opens early, from 6:30am weekdays and 7:30am Saturdays, catching the morning rush before most cafés have even unlocked their doors. Sundays the coffee side is closed, and public holidays run from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

What sets this drive-through apart is the combination of convenience and genuine barista craft. There's no push-button machine dispensing pre-programmed shots. Every coffee is made to order by trained baristas using professional espresso equipment and freshly ground Yahava beans. You don't need to find parking, walk inside, or wait in a queue. You roll up, order through the window, and drive away with a properly made coffee in minutes.

The early opening hours make Brew Plus a lifeline for tradies starting early shifts, parents coordinating school drop-offs, and road trippers heading south to Margaret River. It's become a ritual for many locals, the first stop before the day properly begins. And at your local Busselton liquor and coffee drive-thru, the baristas remember your face, your order, and often your name.

Meet the Baristas: The Crew Behind the Window

The team at Brew Plus is a mix of long-time locals, coffee enthusiasts, and multi-skilled staff who can talk wine and espresso with equal confidence. They're trained baristas who work with Yahava beans daily and know their way around professional espresso machines. This isn't casual work for people who don't care about coffee. These are people who genuinely enjoy the craft.

Every crew has its characters. There's the flat white purist who believes the perfect flat white is an art form, silky microfoam with no foam mountain, just pure coffee and milk in harmony. There's the shift worker who starts every morning with a long black and swears by cold brew on hot afternoons. And there's the sweet-tooth experimenter, always tweaking iced lattes with different syrups and milks.

What makes the team special is how quickly they learn regulars. The Brew Plus blog already mentions that baristas know your order, and it's true. Roll through a few times, and they'll start your coffee before you've finished ordering. It's that kind of local, personal service that keeps people coming back even when there are other coffee options around town.

Barista Favourites: What the Team Really Drink

When baristas make coffee for themselves, you see what they genuinely believe tastes best. Here's what the Brew Plus crew reach for during shifts, broken down by drink style.

The Classic Flat White (House Favourite)

The flat white is far and away the most popular order at Brew Plus, and baristas drink plenty of them too. It's the drink that best showcases Yahava espresso, with silky microfoam and that signature Australian style, no foam mountain, just velvety milk and strong coffee.

Baristas love flat whites because they're technically satisfying to make and delicious to drink. The balance between espresso and milk is perfect for tasting the bean without it being overwhelming. It's a morning staple, a mid-shift pick-me-up, and the drink most baristas default to when they want something comforting but not too heavy.

Ordering tweaks baristas recommend: ask for a strong flat white if you want an extra shot for more caffeine kick. Try different milks, full cream for richness, oat for creaminess without dairy, almond for a lighter touch, or soy for a classic alternative. Each milk changes the texture and flavour slightly.

Long Blacks & Piccolos: For the Purists

When baristas want to really taste the coffee, they go for long blacks or piccolos. These are the drinks that strip away distractions and let the quality of the bean shine.

A long black is a double espresso poured over hot water. It's smooth but punchy, with all the complexity of the espresso without dilution from milk. It's the barista shift starter, the drink that wakes you up and reminds you why you love coffee in the first place.

A piccolo is a short, strong shot with just a splash of milk. It's essentially a mini latte, intense espresso flavour with enough milk to soften the edge but not enough to mask anything. Piccolos are perfect when you want coffee intensity but don't need a full cup.

Cappuccinos & Lattes: Comfort in a Cup

Cappuccinos hit differently. The velvety foam, the light chocolate dusting, the slightly richer mouthfeel compared to a flat white. It's a mid-morning favourite when baristas want something that feels a bit more indulgent without crossing into dessert territory.

Lattes are the easy drinkers. More milk, smoother, less intense. They're what baristas reach for when they want coffee flavour without the punch of espresso dominating every sip. Lattes are also the drink baristas experiment with most, trying half-strength for a gentler experience, extra-strength for more caffeine, different milks for texture, and temperature tweaks for people who like it extra hot or just warm enough to drink immediately.

Both drinks are incredibly customisable, and baristas appreciate when customers know what they want. Saying "cappuccino, extra hot, full cream" upfront makes the order faster and more accurate.

Iced Coffees & Iced Lattes: Busselton Summer Staples

When Busselton heats up, iced coffees and iced lattes fly out the window. Baristas love them too, especially after the morning rush when they've been standing over a hot espresso machine for hours.

Iced coffee at Brew Plus means Yahava espresso over ice, cold milk, and optional sugar or syrup. It's refreshing, caffeinated, and perfect for hot days. Iced lattes and iced long blacks are staff favourites for their own breaks, simple and cooling without being overly sweet.

Custom options are endless. Sugar or sugar-free, alternative milks, extra shots for more intensity. Some regulars ask for less ice so the drink doesn't dilute as quickly. Baristas appreciate these tweaks because they show people know what they like.

Seasonal Specials & Off-Menu Tweaks

Baristas at Brew Plus test seasonal iced specials, experiment with different strength levels, and occasionally play with extra-short or extra-long shots for regulars who want something specific. They're always trying new ideas, refining techniques, and finding ways to make Yahava beans taste even better.

The best advice? Ask what the baristas are loving at the moment. They'll tell you if there's a new iced drink they're excited about or if a particular tweak is trending among the team. That's how you discover drinks you wouldn't have thought to order otherwise.

How the Baristas Keep Every Cup Consistent (Even When the Line's Long)

Making great coffee under pressure is a skill. When the drive-through line is ten cars deep and everyone's running late for work, maintaining quality takes discipline and systems.

Brew Plus receives Yahava beans in bulk 10kg buckets, ensuring freshness without running out mid-shift. There's no pre-ground coffee sitting around losing flavour. Every shot is ground fresh to order. The beans are roasted locally, so the supply chain is short and the coffee stays at peak quality.

Every morning, baristas dial in the grind. Coffee changes slightly day to day based on humidity, temperature, and how long since roasting. Dialling in means adjusting the grind setting until shots pull at the right speed with proper extraction. They purge and clean the espresso machine regularly throughout the shift, keeping everything tasting clean.

Steaming milk is where consistency shows. The baristas create fine microfoam with no big bubbles, achieving that glossy, pourable texture that makes flat whites and cappuccinos taste right. It's a skill that comes from repetition and attention to detail.

During the rush, baristas manage flow by knowing regular orders, taking orders quickly and clearly, and keeping communication tight between team members. If you know your order before you roll up, you're helping the line move without anyone sacrificing quality. It's a small thing, but it makes everyone's morning smoother.

Ordering Like a Regular: Tips from Behind the Counter

Want to order like someone who's been coming to Brew Plus for years? Here's what the baristas recommend.

Know Your Base Style

Start with the fundamentals. Flat white, long black, cappuccino, latte, piccolo, iced coffee. If you're unsure, flat white is the safe default, but don't be afraid to try something different.

Pick Your Strength

Regular is a double shot. If you want more caffeine or stronger flavour, ask for a strong version or an extra shot. Baristas often suggest a strong flat white if you want more kick without changing the milk ratio too much.

Choose Your Milk

Full cream is the standard, but oat, almond, and soy are available as barista-grade alternatives. Oat milk is increasingly popular for its creamy texture and how well it steams. Almond is lighter, soy is classic. Each changes the drink slightly, so experiment.

Temperature Preferences

If you like your coffee extra hot or prefer it not too hot so you can drink it immediately, say so at the start. Baristas appreciate knowing upfront rather than remaking drinks.

Use Clear, Simple Language

"Strong flat white, oat milk, not too hot." One sentence, clear instructions, the line moves faster, and your order comes out exactly right. Baristas love this kind of ordering because there's no guessing.

If you want to try something new, ask the baristas for ideas. They're happy to suggest drinks based on what you normally order or what's working well that day.

Behind the Scenes: Reusable Cups, Routine & Local Love

Sustainability and local pride are woven into the barista culture at Brew Plus. The most visible example is the reusable cup policy. Bring your own cup (KeepCup, travel mug, any clean reusable container) and get 50 cents off every coffee. It's a small discount, but it adds up, and more importantly, it makes a real environmental difference.

Since opening, Brew Plus customers have collectively saved over 100,000 disposable cups from landfill. That's an incredible number for a drive-through, and baristas love seeing familiar reusable cups roll through the window. The system is set up to handle BYO cups quickly, no delays, no hassle.

The local connection runs deeper than just location. Yahava coffee is roasted nearby in the Margaret River region, which means baristas are pouring WA-roasted coffee for WA locals. There's pride in that. It's not a faceless supply chain. It's supporting regional roasters and serving a product that represents the South West.

This local mindset extends to other environmental efforts too. WA's container deposit scheme encourages recycling, and Busselton's broader "keep it beautiful" attitude shows up in small ways at Brew Plus every day.

Coffee Now, Bottle Later: Why Locals Love the Combo

One of Brew Plus's unique advantages is being one of the few places where you can get barista-made drive-thru coffee and also stock up on local wine, craft beer, and spirits in one stop. It's a genuinely useful combination that matches how locals actually live.

A typical routine: grab morning coffee on the way to work, then come back later in the week for weekend drinks or to plan event beverages. You chat with the same friendly staff about both coffee preferences and wine recommendations, building relationships that go beyond transactions.

The coffee side fuels your morning. The bottle shop side stocks your celebrations. And when you're planning a wedding, party, or event, Brew Plus handles the wedding and event drinks in Busselton while you fuel up on caffeine to manage the setup.

It's this dual identity,Busselton liquor and coffee drive-thru in one location, that makes Brew Plus stand out. Locals appreciate not having to make separate stops for their daily coffee and their weekend supplies.

How to Make Our Baristas' Day

Brew Plus baristas pour Yahava coffee using professional equipment, fresh beans, and genuine care. They keep Busselton caffeinated from early morning through to lunchtime, serving hundreds of drinks with consistency and friendliness.

Next time you roll through, try one of the barista favourites from this article. Order a strong flat white with oat milk, or experiment with a piccolo if you've never had one. Ask the team what their current favourite is. They'll appreciate the question, and you might discover a drink that becomes your new regular order.

Bring a reusable cup if you can. It saves money, helps the environment, and the baristas genuinely appreciate seeing people care about reducing waste.

Want help finding your perfect coffee order? Contact our Busselton team or swing past the drive-thru and chat to us at the window. We're always happy to talk coffee, drinks, and everything in between. Fuel your morning with Brew Plus, Busselton's drive-thru for barista-made Yahava coffee and local drinks.

FAQs: Brew Plus Drive-Thru Coffee

What time does Brew Plus coffee drive-thru open in Busselton?

The coffee drive-thru opens at 6:30am Monday to Friday and 7:30am on Saturday. Sunday is closed for coffee service, and public holidays run from 8:00am to 1:00pm. These early opening hours make Brew Plus a go-to stop for tradies, parents, and commuters who need quality coffee before most cafés open.

What coffee beans do Brew Plus baristas use?

Brew Plus uses Yahava coffee, locally roasted in the Margaret River region at Yahava KoffeeWorks. The beans are delivered fresh in bulk and ground to order, never pre-ground. This ensures maximum freshness and flavour in every cup. The local roasting connection means short supply chains and support for South West producers.

What are the most popular coffees at Brew Plus?

Flat white is the clear favourite, followed by cappuccinos, long blacks, piccolos, and iced coffees or iced lattes during warmer months. These drinks showcase the quality of Yahava beans and the skill of the barista team. Customers can customise any drink with different milks, strength adjustments, and temperature preferences.

Do you offer discounts for reusable coffee cups?

Yes. Bring a clean reusable cup (KeepCup, travel mug, or any suitable container) and receive 50 cents off every coffee. This policy has helped Brew Plus customers save over 100,000 disposable cups from landfill since opening. The drive-thru is set up to handle BYO cups quickly without slowing down service.