“My favorite part is creating,” said MaKayla Johnsen, co-owner of Kava Rose Brewhouse. “That’s why we did this.”
MaKayla and her husband Carson both grew up in Beresford, going their separate ways after high school. While Carson was serving, bartending, and pursuing acting in Los Angeles, MaKayla attended the University of Sioux Falls, working at coffee shops.
The two reconnected during MaKayla’s time at college and were soon married, with a dream of having a coffee shop- type of space for people to be in community with one another.
When a building went up for sale in downtown Beresford, the pair jumped at the opportunity to bring something special to their hometown.
“We wanted this space to be somewhere where people could be creative.” -MaKayla Johnsen
With the help of Carson’s parents, the Johnsens stripped the building down, taking care to preserve the original wood floors, brick walls, and tiled ceiling.
In October 2023, Kava Rose was open for business.
“We came up with that name years before we opened. We discovered that Kava means ‘coffee,’ as well as ‘to embrace’ and ‘to gather,’” shared MaKayla.
The second part of the name, Rose, is MaKayla’s middle name. This January, it also became the middle name of their daughter, Navy Rose Johnsen.
MaKayla and Carson are intentional about having a place where people can pursue what they consider the lost art of “gathering.” That is, being present in the moment while embracing the people you are with.
“It’s a place for people just to ‘be.’ Whatever that looks like,” explained Carson.
For the couple, being present looks like refusing to have TVs in the space, and cherishing every moment with both their staff and their customers.
While MaKayla makes drinks, trains the baristas, brainstorms, and takes care of the organizational side of things, Carson is in charge of the kitchen.
RISE & GRIND
Monday // Closed
Tuesday // Closed
Wednesday & Thursday // 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday // 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday // 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
“I never went to culinary school, but I’ve always enjoyed cooking for the people I love. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about,” said Carson.
“He would be at home making homemade noodles on a random Tuesday or something,” MaKayla laughed.
The pair has a passion for bringing in global flavors and making them palatable for everyone.
“We take traditional dishes and spice them up a bit, adding some healthy factors we think people would enjoy, while not realizing it’s quietly healing them as well,” said Carson.
The Kava Rose kitchen made 605’s designer Cailyn Patterson and I three dishes: The Infinity Bowl, The Berrymore, and The Kava Roll.
The camera always eats first, but Cailyn and I were not disappointed by the wait. Each dish was expertly crafted and beautifully plated.
For drinks, the barista made us a Vanilla Latte with cinnamon, and a Tropical Sunrise Hydrator.
MORE ON THE MENU
BREAKFAST
» Berrymore
Greek yogurt, granola, chia seeds and fresh fruit. Add peanut/almond butter if desired.
» Queen Bea
Bacon, egg, avocado, and gruyere cheese, served on honey oat toast with a dash of fruit.
SANDWICHES
» Kava Roll
Marinated beef, gruyere cheese, peppers, and onions served on a local baked hoagie with Bosco Sauce.
» Clubber Lang
Thick sliced ham, turkey, and bacon on an everything bagel with provolone cheese, pickles, crisp lettuce, house mustard, and mayo.
SPECIALTY LATTES
» Cookie Butter Latte
House-made Biscoff cookie butter caramel and vanilla shaken together to perfection.
» Ya Hoser
The sweet mix of caramel and real maple, balanced out with cinnamon.
Hydrators are adrenal cocktails MaKayla says she threw together one day because she wanted to create something with the health benefits of coconut water.
“They’re refreshing and give you a natural pickup,” she said. “They became our most popular drink, but I’m like, ‘Jokes on you guys, this is good for you!’”
The brewhouse has local beers on tap and in bottles, including varieties from Severance Brewing Company, Fernson Brewing Company, and Jefferson Beer Supply.
The couple is passionate about making everything on the menu as “from-scratch” as possible.
“We marinate our own meats and make sure we get locally-sourced items,” said Carson. “A lot of our vegetables and fruits are organic and local, when we can.”
The brewhouse’s drinks are made from espresso beans roasted just down the street at Rainy Day Coffee Co., and hoagies for the Kava Roll are from another Beresford business, Wake & Bake.
“It’s not a massive menu, but there’s a lot going into it. And you can only get those certain combinations of flavors here.”
-Carson Johnsen
“We don’t do a lot of big-box truck stuff. We go search it out ourselves every week, and it makes a big difference,” said MaKayla.
The couple offers a weekly burger special, in addition to occasionally coming up with seasonal specials when they feel inspired.
“She gives me these crazy ideas, and I just run with it,” said Carson, explaining their creative process.
“It’s amazing. He makes everything taste good,” MaKayla added.
The couple has recently started Kava Rose Catering for mid- size to smaller events. Events can be hosted at the brewhouse or off-site and have recently included bridal showers, meetings, company events, and wedding receptions.
Kava Rose also hosts different events like live music and art shows. In the future, they are interested in opening up the space for things like poetry or improv nights.
“Carson and I both grew up in theater and were very into the arts,” said MaKayla. “It’s lifegiving, and that is where we find joy in life—it’s where you’re creating.”
The couple thoroughly encourages the art community whenever possible. Local art graces the walls, and the exterior sign was hand painted by high school students and the art teacher in town. “We want to show the community what they’ve got,” said Carson.
As Cailyn and I were finishing up our shoot, a customer told me he wanted to go on record for the story.
“Kava Rose is absolutely fabulous,” he said. “Beresford’s a small town, and having something like this—where we can support our local vendors—is just fabulous.”
