Roast journal is thrilled to announce the six finalists for the twenty first Annual Roaster of the Yr awards!

Roast acknowledges winners from two classes: Micro Roaster (corporations roasting lower than 100,000 kilos of espresso every year) and Macro Roaster (corporations roasting greater than 100,000 kilos yearly). The winner in every class can be introduced on Monday, Oct. 21.

The Roaster of the Yr awards acknowledge corporations that roast coffees of fantastic high quality, exemplify a dedication to sustainability, promote worker and group training, reveal sturdy involvement within the espresso business, and a dedication to range, inclusion and fairness, amongst different standards. To view the award standards and software for the 2026 Roaster of the Yr competitors, click on right here.

Micro Roaster of the Yr Finalists

The three finalists within the Micro Roaster class are listed under in no specific order, with data obtained from the corporate’s award software.

Three Keys Espresso

Established in 2019 in Houston, Texas, Three Keys Espresso is a family-owned roastery and cafe that blends music, artwork, and low into a novel multi-sensory expertise. Led by Kenzel Fallen (CEO) and Tio Fallen (Government Director of Espresso), the corporate roasted 34,819 kilos of espresso previously yr and employs 11 workers members. The corporate’s title, impressed by the three keys of a trumpet, symbolizes the simplicity and complexity of each music and low.

Three Keys Espresso is dedicated to sustainability as Houston’s first solar-powered roastery. They donate espresso to native nonprofits and supply Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Chicken Pleasant licensed coffees. Their advertising improvements, corresponding to coffee-themed playlists and inventive packaging, have helped make specialty espresso extra accessible. The corporate has a various workforce and presents beneficiant worker advantages, together with paid healthcare, versatile schedules, and a no-manager mannequin at their cafe.

Three Keys Espresso’s roasting strategies, guided by Tio’s engineering background, earned accolades in competitions just like the US Roaster Championship. The corporate’s dedication to accessibility and innovation, mixed with its dedication to the group, has made it a standout within the espresso business.

Thread Espresso Roasters

Based in 2012, Baltimore-based Thread Espresso Roasters is a worker-owned cooperative with a robust dedication to equitable and sustainable commerce practices. The roaster-wholesaler and on-line retailer, which produced 44,720 kilos of roasted espresso over the previous yr, employs 5 workers members. Devoted to transparency, Thread Espresso sources 100% of its beans from cooperatives, paying effectively above Honest Commerce minimums, and publicly shares its buying contracts.

The corporate champions local weather justice over conventional internet zero targets, acknowledging the distinctive environmental contributions and challenges of smallholder natural farmers. Thread can also be deeply concerned in its group, distributing roasting byproducts to native farms and supporting initiatives like Frequent Floor Cafe Cooperative, a worker-owned cafe.

Thread Espresso is B Corp licensed, reflecting its excessive requirements throughout employee advantages, governance, and environmental stewardship. Workers are compensated with aggressive wages, limitless paid day off, and alternatives for possession within the cooperative. Their roasting improvements prioritize consistency and long-term relationships with producers, emphasizing a holistic method to sustainability, each environmentally and socially.

Pricey Inexperienced

Based mostly in Glasgow, Scotland, Pricey Inexperienced Espresso Roasters was based in 2011 by Lisa Lawson and has established itself as a pacesetter in sustainability and specialty espresso. With a roasting output of 98,326 kilos previously yr and a workforce of 10, the roaster-wholesaler is devoted to honest work practices and environmental duty. As a B-Corp, Pricey Inexperienced is dedicated to reaching internet zero by 2030, actively lowering its carbon footprint, and supporting local people initiatives like city gardening and biking initiatives. The corporate provides reusable espresso tubs and upcycles espresso sacks, saving hundreds of luggage from landfills yearly.

Pricey Inexperienced is deeply concerned within the espresso business, internet hosting the annual Glasgow Espresso Pageant and advocating for local weather justice and social fairness. They prioritize moral sourcing from smallholder farmers and emphasize product high quality, making certain each espresso is roasted to perfection beneath the experience of their Q Grader and AST-certified workforce. With a concentrate on transparency, sustainability, and group, Pricey Inexperienced continues to push boundaries, pioneering specialty espresso in Scotland.

Macro Roaster of the Yr Finalists

The three finalists within the Macro Roaster class are listed under in no specific order, with data obtained from the corporate’s award software.

Driftaway Espresso

Based in 2013 in Brooklyn, New York, Driftaway Espresso is an immigrant-owned, woman-led espresso roastery devoted to constructing an equitable worth chain. With a roasting output of 112,353 kilos previously yr and 15 workers, Driftaway prioritizes sourcing from women- and minority-owned farms. Their mission is to make espresso accessible and pleasing for all, creating “Driftaway moments” that encourage reflection and connection.

As a direct-to-consumer enterprise, Driftaway presents customized espresso subscriptions and digital tastings, permitting prospects to discover totally different espresso profiles. Their dedication to sustainability is mirrored of their use of compostable packaging, and the corporate has pledged full transparency in its sourcing. Driftaway’s concentrate on farmer prosperity consists of their Bean for Bean undertaking, donating to World Espresso Analysis for each pound roasted. By fostering group by way of training and advocacy, Driftaway Espresso continues to innovate whereas sustaining a robust concentrate on fairness and sustainability.

Wonderstate Espresso

Based in 2005 and based mostly in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Wonderstate Espresso is a mission-driven roastery dedicated to sustainable practices, fairness within the espresso provide chain, and group engagement. With an annual roasting output of 450,000 kilos and 80 workers throughout three cafes, the corporate champions the values of “Excellence, Gratitude, and Service to the Collective Good.” Their espresso is sourced primarily from smallholder farms, with 97% of their beans being licensed natural.

Wonderstate’s improvements embody working a 100% solar-powered roastery and sustaining transparency by way of public pay contracts with producers. Their dedication to sustainability extends to reforestation initiatives and the usage of compostable packaging. With a concentrate on farmer fairness, Wonderstate invests in long-term relationships and pays a minimal of $3.10 per pound for inexperienced espresso—effectively above Honest Commerce requirements. Their cafes function group hubs, and their impact-driven advertising, together with packages like “$1 for Gender Fairness,” additional illustrates their dedication to social and environmental duty.

Utopian Espresso

Based in 2006 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Utopian Espresso produces distinctive espresso with a dedication to sustainability and social influence. With an annual roasting output of 425,585 kilos, Utopian emphasizes regenerative agriculture, incomes certifications like Regenerative Natural Certification (ROC), and works intently with producers to advertise sustainable practices.

Utopian helps worker development by way of training, nationwide espresso competitions, and direct relationships with producers through origin journeys. The corporate fosters range and inclusivity, providing aggressive wages, medical health insurance, and long-term advantages. Utopian additionally integrates sustainability into its operations, using eco-friendly roasting strategies, composting, and recycling. By specializing in high quality, sustainability, and significant connections, Utopian Espresso continues to innovate and influence the specialty espresso business.